Mognet

When I got mine there was a bit of a problem with the order with the Dynamo going to unavailable while waiting for another part of the order to come in. In our email exchange Chris at FLO said that they were end of line, so there's not likely to be any more, which is a shame as they seem good. Apart from the odd duff one though

On 16/02/2023 at 23:18, mickstanger said:

but I'm wondering whether I got a duff one or whether anyone else has had any problems? 

Not seen any problems with mine yet, although due to cloudy skies it's only on its second charge. I have noticed that it takes a lot longer than the quoted 6-7 hours for a full charge. It's something like 12 hours with mine

Does it name the files that it's missing? It might be something simple like needing the Microsoft C++ Redistributable

That's a great result

Microsoft ICE can still be downloaded from Archive.org. There's a couple of links to the 32 and 64 bit versions from here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/252274/how-to-download-image-composite-editor-2-0 Haven't tested this download version as I kept the download file from last time I got it from MS

When the local lights were being switched to LEDs I noticed a big drop in the quality of the southern view. I rarely see anything below 45 degress in that direction now apart from planets. Locally it seemed to improve a bit from the changes to the light spill

The view south. Southend off to the left and Basildon off to the right

The view east, same settings, same night, same spot

First light on mine last night. Being new to dedicated astro cameras and Astroberry it was more about experimentation than good images. It's a definite step up from my DSLR, even if I don't know what I'm doing yet!

Image is 65 frames of 8.7 seconds at gain 400. Probably far from the right settings, but I had a few issues with driving Astroberry via the tablet. Rough processing with DSS and Gimp

Currently using a Nikkor 35mm 1.8G camera lens while debating what scope to get to go with it

Light pollution also by me. I'd left the conservatory light on so I could see where Keeva the kitten was in the garden

Watched from the back bedroom window so I could see over the houses, but no sign of it from here. Probably lost in the haze or just too distant.

The v3 Raspberry Pi camera has just been announced, which needs libcamera instead of raspistill. I have a v3 camera on order so I can investigate and update the code as required. I knew raspistill was being deprecated so it's time to fix things

Also currently investigating a slowdown in capture that's led to images being skipped on the Pi Zero when previously they had been fine. It possibly stems from copying the videos using the cp command, but has happened on new cards a week after initial install

My thinking had been towards a scope rather than the Samyang lens as I might also want to use it for widefield viewing at some point, but I could use the couple of pairs of binoculars here that are waiting refurb/repair instead

52 minutes ago, Elp said:

One of the issues I've found is yes, opportunity is few and far between, so my focus has shifted to speed. So I've expedited everything. Sure you get more detail and less noise with longer integration, at this present time I'm happy just completing an image.

Speed is a bit of an issue here too. I'm in a Bortle 5 area, but also have to deal with neighbours lights, so sometimes have limited opportunity

52 minutes ago, Elp said:

All fine choices from the lack of not reading much if any negative feedback on the list

I'd noticed that where there was feedback it was all positive. The SM 66mm doesn't have any reviews yet though

I needed a lightweight counterweight so I could do some widefields with my existing camera kit while I procrastinated over buying something dedicated, so after a rummage through my cupboard I came up with an idea to use a couple of small baked bean tins and a 3D printed holder as they would come in around the same weight as the camera and lens

The design might not be quite right yet, but at least it's among my saner ideas! 🤪

I designed it in Fusion360, and I'll share the files if anyone wants them

3 hours ago, Elp said:

What widefield scopes have you looked at out of interest?

I've not done a huge amount of research so far, but I've looked at a number

These are still in the running for being both affordable and suitable weight/length for my mount:

• Samyang 135 F2
• SkyWatcher Evolux 62ED https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evolux/sky-watcher-evolux-62ed-ota.html
• SkyWatcher Evolux 82ED https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evolux/sky-watcher-evolux-82ed-ota.html
• StellaMira 66mm ED f/6 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-66mm-ed-f6-refractor-telescope.html
• StellaMira 80m ED f/6.25 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-80mm-ed-f625-refractor-telescope.html
• Williams Optics Zenithstar 61 II APO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-61-ii-apo.html

And a few that are too long or too heavy for the mount (SW AZ-EQ5, max 15kg but I'm not going over 10kg)

• SkyWatcher Evostar 120OTA https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-120-ota.html
• SkyWatcher 130PDS https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130p-ds-ota.html
• SkyWatcher 150PDS https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-ds-ota.html

A few I had to pass on due to price

• StellaMira 90mm ED Triplet f/6 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-90mm-ed-triplet-f6-refractor-telescope.html

There's probably others I should look at too, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it given how often the skies have been clear and dark enough to get out this year

I had a look at an image I spotted on the Samyung 135 thread here Looks like it's a real thing rather than a lens effect as it appears on that image too, albeit faintly. I suspect it's lost in processing with other images. No idea what it is though

I've been looking at the Samyang 135 F2 as an option as well. The prices look to be £400-£500 new, dependent on mount and seller, which puts it midway between the scopes I was looking at. From what I've seen in the Imaging with the Samyang 135mm f2 thread it does have the advantage of not needing a reducer, and I could use it with my existing Nikons or with a dedicated astro camera (depending on whether I need to modify it or I just need adaptors)

Thanks everyone. I'm now considering my options for something widefield in place of the mak127 while trying not to fall into the money pit that astrophotography can become!

43 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Drop the Mak and get a Frac.

That's what I'm now considering. Just been looking at FLO's website again and I'm wondering if their StellaMira 66mm ED would be more suitable https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-66mm-ed-f6-refractor-telescope.html

Thanks @bomberbaz and @catburglar The choice of a 2" 0.6 reducer was from using FLO's astronomy.tools website as it apparently brings the field of view inside that from a 25mm eyepiece, and there's only one 1.25" reducer on FLO's website which apparently doesn't suit maks

I could be looking at this from the wrong direction, so I'll drop FLO an email to see what they say. It may be that I will also need to consider a faster scope at the same time

56 minutes ago, bomberbaz said:

Think you need this to attach the reducer to the mak https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-1-25-inch-t-mount-camera-nosepiece-adapter.html

Thanks Steve. I already have a longer one that I've been using with my camera and a Nikon adaptor, but wasn't sure it would be suitable or even fit the thread. This one seems to be the better option with the reducer

56 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

If looking at that camera you might enjoy this owners thread

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/397896-zwoplayer-one-imx-585-sensor-image-showcase/page/1

I've been watching that thread with interest for a couple of weeks, and it's from there that I decided on the camera. Plus I got an unexpected Xmas bonus from work 😀

1 hour ago, carastro said:

Not so sure using a Mak is the best type of scope for imaging, the reducer might help.  But I guess you want to step up in stages

Thanks Carole. I'm not sure it's the best choice either. I'll learn what I can this way and while I decide on what I need next. I'm probably starting with clusters rather than nebulae as they'll need less processing

That's a great set of images

Hi all,

I've been doing a little astrophotography with my old Nikon D3100, but I'm now planning  getting a proper camera. Initially it will be used with my Mak127, and I'll get something with a wider field early next year.

What I'm planning currently is the ZWO ASI585 camera https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi-585mc-usb-3-camera.html

WIth the Mak127 I probably need a reducer, I think this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/stellamira-2-06x-reducer-field-flattener-with-m42-adapter.html

Then the questionable bits. With the reducer I'll need an adaptor as the mak has a 1.25" back, would this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-2-to-125-reducer-adapter.html be suitable, and would I need another adaptor/extension tube too, or do I need something different?

I already have an AZ-EQ5 for the mount, and a Raspberry Pi400 with Astroberry for control, and hopefully this power supply should be able to drive all of them https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/orion-dynamo-pro-155wh-acdcusb-lithium-power-supply.html

Caught two on the all sky camera

I haven't bothered getting my scopes in months because of it. It's either cloudy, too hazy to see much, or the full moon wipes everything out. The all sky camera has shown a couple of recent properly clear spells between 3am and 6am but not much at a convenient  time

On 03/07/2022 at 22:13, Gfamily said:

There used to be a really useful android app called SynScanInit that used to give the expected format for entering location and datetime details - for some reason it's no longer available on Google Play, but it is available to download as an apk from the link below; however, I cannot guarantee the security of the link itself so at your own risk... 

https://apkcombo.com/synscaninit-2/com.RapidoDroid.synscaninit2/

Or you can keep a note of the format details for future reference. 

Found a different one recently that seems to be as good as SynScanInit2, but doesn't need a download from alternative sites. It's called Polar Clock https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.astrotools.polarclock