Randalloverby

Thanks for the replies. Next chance I get I will try a pano. You are right Knobby, trial and error can make you pull your hair out but when it all comes together, its a beautiful thing.?

50 minutes ago, knobby said:

It wasn't meant as a criticism, the tracking looks spot on ! I was just intrigued about which lens it was.

Sorry, I didn't mean for my response to sound that way. ? The 16-35 2.8 is a great lens but it has so much distortion around the edges. Now that I'm thinking more about it, an overlapping pano may be the best direction to go in. If the weather cooperates with me tonight then I will give it a go. The tracking on the SA has been amazing so far and very portable. Thank you for the reply.

22 minutes ago, knobby said:

That's a beauty, what lens ? Lovely pin sharp in the middle but edge iffy ? 

Thanks, I used the Canon 16-35 2.8 lens. The distortion was actually worse, I tried to repair them some in Startools which helped but still not as sharp as the center. Other than buying a prime lens, I'm not sure what else to do.

This is my most recent capture using the Star Adventurer. I have found that this tracking mount is probably one of my better investments into astrophotography. 240sec x8, 3.2 at 800iso, 35mm. Foreground was shot separate and blended in PS.

That gives me hope then cause mine isn't modded either. I am using the CLS clip filter so not sure how that will affect it.

1 minute ago, geordie85 said:

Yeas it is. I was torn between getting this in the frame or M78. 

Nice, I thought very seriously of trying for that target but ran out of time. Maybe on my next outing.

10 minutes ago, geordie85 said:

Here's a quick 1 hour image I took last night after work with my canon 6d and Samyang 135mm.

60 second subs

Oh wow, is that the Witch Head Nebula in the bottom right and was your camera modded ?

3 minutes ago, knobby said:

Nice, if you weigh the tripod down with something it won't move so easily ...

In theory !

Thanks. Yeah, I use a Manfrotto tripod bag full of sand that I hang from the center column but I still end up bumping or knocking something out of alignment, goofy I guess.

I shot this image of the Monkey Head and Jellyfish Nebula using a 200mm Canon lens. I pushed the exposures to 200 secs but ending up losing  more than I kept, with a total of 30mins. I did have a good PA but when moving the camera etc, rechecking it is a absolute must.

On ‎2‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 11:15, Shelster1973 said:

Jem

Will read and inwardly digest the manual again and get this done for you as best as I can, hopefully getting the main points across that you need.

Love the videos, looking forward to it.

15 minutes ago, Shelster1973 said:

That may well be the case.

Have just re-read the manual for the standard mount and it does say that the exposure time is set to 100 sec when running in sidereal tracking.

It may be best to re-flash the stock image, prove it still functions and then re-try the advanced firmware again, but from a fresh download, just in case something went awry in the 1st one.

 

It works ! I downloaded and installed the firmware again and I am running custom exposures as I speak. Evidently there was an issue with my original download and I just kept re-installing the same issue over and over. You my man, are a life saver. THANKS !

That is awesome, now we are getting somewhere...mine does not flash at all. If it only flashes after the upgrade then maybe its not updating properly ?

26 minutes ago, Shelster1973 said:

On the newly printed and installed control wheel, you move the dial to EXP.  Then if you look at the side that has the two push buttons on and the switch to change between S - Time Lapse - N , you can adjust the time there.  With the switch in the S position, you can change the hundreds of seconds, Timelapse changes the tens of seconds and N changes single seconds.  The light blink in accordance to the number of seconds set.  You change up and down the required amount with the push buttons.  So for 185 sec (for example) put switch to S and see how many it flashes.  Press the up and down arrows to change to desired amount, then watch the flashes to confirm the correct number is recorded.  Then switch to timeplase and repeat and the same again for N.

You then switch the mount off and it stores the settings.  Then use the mount as you have been doing and it should expose for what you have set

Shelster, that made more sense to me than reading the manual 20 times.  What I am not seeing are the flashes or blinks ?

I may end up going in that direction, you mind if I ask which one you use ?

I finally upgraded the firmware on the SA but I still can't get it off of 100 sec exposures. I even followed the video step by step on the astro time-lapse video that StarWatcher has and no change. Is it me or is something just not working here, LOL. Thanks for any help.

I was able to add another 60mins to my Flaming Star Nebula image, this time at 180 sec exposures at 1600iso but at 200mm I didn't have as many keepers which could have been my PA or just the SA itself. Since the Moon is coming into play now, I will probably setup the Celestron tomorrow night for lunar imaging, honestly I haven't touched it since UPS delivered the SA.  (Just an update), I did get the polar alignment bracket with my unit but it lasted a couple of nights and will no longer stay in place, so just using a small flashlight to help with PA.

This is my first attempt with the Flaming Star Nebula using the built in time lapse of 100 sec with about 2 hours of exposure @ 200mm. I love the simplicity of it and expect to do the firmware upgrade in a few days. Also used the CLS clip filter as I am in a moderate light polluted area but the filter does bring out the red a lot better.

I managed to get out in the cold last night for this image of the Rosette Nebula.  120 mins of 120 sec exposures at 1600 iso. Canon dslr and 70-200 lens at 200mm.  My editing needs sooo much work but I'm a work in progress as well.

Good job. I'm still trying to get back out with mine but the weather has been terrible. Looking forward to seeing more.

1 minute ago, serbiadarksky said:

Manfrotto is common with the SA, but i never understand why people do that stupid thing...for 65€ you get the SA tripod which is designed for the SA, but no, instead of doing that a lot of imagers (i did that stupid thing to.....) buy manfrotto for 200€+..

4 minutes ago, serbiadarksky said:

Manfrotto is common with the SA, but i never understand why people do that stupid thing...for 65€ you get the SA tripod which is designed for the SA, but no, instead of doing that a lot of imagers (i did that stupid thing to.....) buy manfrotto for 200€+..

Oh, I never saw that. Probably would have gotten it otherwise. On a positive note, I needed an extra Manfrotto for my photography...still may end up getting it. LOL

1 hour ago, serbiadarksky said:

Uh you are slightly overloading it

Keep as light as possible to track longer with accuracy

Oh I know, just added the extra camera cause it looked cool, LOL, the balance with the 5D and the 70-200 on top is perfect though. The tripod is a Manfrotto that I bought just for this but its not as stable as I had hoped. I added a sandbag to the center column which helps out a lot.

Yes, I have always saved to the memory card then process etc on the desktop. I use a laptop and BYEOS when I shoot here at home and normally I go out from time to time just to check on it and review the images taken up until that point, then press continue. I am very much looking forward to shooting without hauling around a powertank and laptop. Thanks.

On ‎12‎/‎25‎/‎2017 at 13:09, Shelster1973 said:

Aye that would be good

I updated mine to the advanced firmware. That gives good control over the timer and it also flashes to show what you have set too

Just a quick question, once you start the sequence, is it possible to pause to look over the images then continue ?

Very nice Steve. Its been cloudy here for days and looks like next weekend before I can get back out for imaging.

Thanks Ken, watching them now.