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Astro Buer

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Everything posted by Astro Buer

  1. Astro Buer
    Thanks @tomato. I think you're right in saying it will be OK. I'm going to roll with it for now... It just seemed a little strange for it to be racked out this far when the spacing is (almost) correct. But as you say, autofocus routines do not move the focuser very much. Thanks fro your reply!
  2. Astro Buer
    Hi! I recently purchased an Esprit 120ED which I am using in conjunction with a ZWO ASI1600. According to the manual the Flattener requires 75mm of back focus. I have Astrodon Filters that are 3mm - so adding 1mm to the spacing requirement means I need 76mm - So 77mm was the closest I could get for a first test. I am achieving this by using the following: Flattener ---- Extender Tube (comes with scope) 21mm ----- OAG 16.5mm ----- 11mm spacer ----- 2mm Spacer ----- EFW Filter Wheel 20mm ----- 6.5mm distance to sensor = 77mm Here are some images from the manual and my setup (sorry for the rubbish photo, I don't have callipers!) When using this setup I have to rack the focuser pretty much all the way out to achieve focus? up to around 7.5 on the focuser scale - which goes up to 9. I don't like the idea of the focuser being racked out this much. I'm also worried that when I use autofocus, as we know sometimes there are problems! if the focuser goes searching for a new position it might hit the end of the draw tube thus potentially causing damage. The theory suggests adding more space would reduce the overall draw, but this goes against the spacing measurement required. Do I need a different adaptor to connect the imaging train to the flattener. Something like this? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-m48-to-t2-adapter.html I know some people might say 'well, you can achieve focus so that's all that matters' but it doesn't seem right that the focuser needs to be racked this far out, especially if the spacing is correct. Any advice welcome.
  3. Astro Buer
    Another advantage of an OAG, is you should not have any differential flexure (which @rickwayne nodded to when he mentioned rigidity) Differential flexure is when parts of the imaging system shift, when others do not. This can lead to unreliable guiding. IMHO, an OAG is worth the hassle. You can also buy a helical focuser (if you go down the ZWO route) to make setting up easier. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-125-helical-focuser.html
  4. Astro Buer
    Tenerife is a very good choice. It’s extremely accessible as you can drive up to the base of Teide at 2,200m to be above the clouds. There are also a lot of parking bays up there which makes setting up a breeze. Bang for buck it’s an excellent astro holiday. As for other things to do on the island, you’d be surprised what you can find when you head away from the main tourist areas. Another option is La Palma, which in my opinion is more dramatic with the views over the Caldera, and it’s a touch darker than Tenerife, but not a deal breaker by any means. The most structure I have ever seen in the central core Milky Way (from the northern hemisphere) was from Tenerife last June. The only problem with La Palma is there are not as many accessible spots at the top in which to set up. But that’s not to say there aren’t any... once I bumped into a gentlemen nestled into a nook precariously on the side of the caldera with his dob he’d ferried all the way from Holland...! Anything is possible. With the Canaries, if you want ease, Tenerife is best. If you want a little bit of extra drama, go La Palma
  5. Astro Buer
    I hope this is not hijacking the thread, but I literally came online to ask a question in a similar vein, which is: I have a Berlebach Planet tripod and am looking to build an observatory in the not too distant future. I'm purely an imager and it would be a permanent setup, so +1 for a pier... but I only image at short to medium focal lengths (400-900mm) with CMOS cameras, so exposure times much shorter than for me than with a CCD. Basically my setup does not demand too much... but apart from the overall footprint and obvious increase in stability, given my setup is not likely to change that much because I'm most interested in large nebulae, would I benefit from installing a pier over keeping the Berlebach Planet? Please feel free to remove this if it's not appropriate. Thanks,
  6. Astro Buer
    Thank you for your detailed account. Very much appreciated!!
  7. Astro Buer
    Thank you! Much appreciated ?
  8. Astro Buer
    Sorry to bump and old(ish) thread here, but I have a very newbie question. Before I start tugging and pulling at my beloved Esprit; how do you actually remove the focuser from the OTA? I’ve looked online but cannot fine the answer. Is it simply a case of spinning back the captains wheel and the focuser detaches? Is there anything else I should be aware of/risks of this mod? Sorry again for such a noob question. Just want to make sure I approach this the right way, first time.
  9. Astro Buer
    Wonderful images! May I ask what is the little dovetail clamp you have to attach the scope to the SA?
  10. Astro Buer
    Thanks Victor! I was using a carbon fibre tripod (Eddie - Three Legged Thing) but I have a rock bag that attaches to the three legs, which I weigh down with four bricks. I've also used a few very large bottle of water as well which seems to work well. It's not ideal but I've found it a good, cheap way to add more stability
  11. Astro Buer
    It's a great little bit of kit, and has an ST4 port which means you can guide (albeit only in RA) but better that than nothing! I've only been shooting deep sky for 2 months, but this was my first image captured with the SA and although it has plenty of processing problems, I was quite happy with it for my first go! 120x19 Lights / 15 Darks / 15 Flats / 30 Bias WO ZS61 / Sony A7S / Guided with PHD I would not hesitate to recommend it, it's a great little bit of kit to throw in the back of the car (ok, don't throw it in the back of the car) to drive out to those darker skies if, like me, you live under a permanent orange glow...
  12. Astro Buer
    Sorry it's taken me a little while to get this image up! Here's the setup with the guide scope attached. This is with the clutch open so it's well balanced
  13. Astro Buer
    Funnily enough I have never updated the firmware on my A7S. I'm still on v1.10. Does this mean I don't have the dreaded star eater algorithm? I was under the impression it affected all the cameras from day dot. I wasn't aware it was 'introduced' in a later firmware update? I'd like to be wrong about this one... !
  14. Astro Buer
    Thanks for the input. I am indeed all 'in place'. Scope arrived last week, now just need some clear skies for testing! It balances great on the SA with the Orion Guidescope. Just the right size and focal length for a beginner like me and a great grab and go setup (decent skies are an hours drive for me) Thanks for everyone's input
  15. Astro Buer
    Great image Adam
  16. Astro Buer
    Thanks Andy! Fantastic pics!!
  17. Astro Buer
    Thanks again Olly. Very much appreciated
  18. Astro Buer
    Really appreciate your input and explanation Olly. Very insightful and good to know! Thanks for your knowledge its so very helpful to get me on the right track.
  19. Astro Buer
    Thank you, that's a great insight and I obviously have a lot of reading to do!
  20. Astro Buer
    Yes, well I had a thought earlier today that I can put my cameras in APS-C mode which when using the WO ZS61 would give me a focal length of 540mm, should I want to experiment with that... albeit at a loss of resolution. But I also have an A7R 1 and 2 (un-modded) which have much larger sensors and if I can shoot using a lower ISO (if I can get the tracking working well for longer subs) will still give me a decent resolution image to work with. It's all just a learning curve for me, and if I can get good success by using shorter focal lengths before potentially moving on to more advanced setups and longer focal lengths, then that is a good thing for my confidence
  21. Astro Buer
    I have to say I am leaning towards the WO ZS61. Good optics and a good focal length for a modest mount like the Star Adventurer. You're right I would need a few adaptors to connect my A7S to the flattener. An M48 to T2, then an E Mount to T2 adaptor as well if my research is correct? http://www.365astronomy.com/Adapter-from-M48-2-inch-filter-thread-to-T2-Low-Profile.html and http://www.365astronomy.com/365Astronomy-T-Ring-SONY-Alpha-E-Mount-Nex-T2-Lens-Adapter-Ring.html I already have an Astronomik CLS filter clipped into my A7S, so hoping this will do the trick. I am so close to pulling the trigger on this... Thanks for all your advice. The SGL community is awesome
  22. Astro Buer
    Yes, my bad. I was looking at the weight at the very top of the listing which makes it a little confusing...! I don't expect hubble-esque results with the Star Adventurer and guiding! but I feel it is going to be a good way to at learn, and the guiding equipment can be used on better scopes and mounts should I upgrade in the future. Thanks for your help! Baby steps
  23. Astro Buer
    Thanks for the advice Martin! And yes, good to know about the focussing... anything to make life easier given that AP is a fairly steep learning curve! Thanks again!
  24. Astro Buer
    Thanks Adam J! At 3.4kg I thought that might be tipping the scales a little with the guidecam on there as well. But maybe I'm being a little too cautious as to not overload the mount... but as it's been a success for your friend that's encouraging for me. Looks like a lovely little scope at a good price! Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it
  25. Astro Buer
    Sorry, I think I'm getting my terminology mixed up regarding apertures! (Thinking in DSLR world!) Thanks for your honest review definitely given me food for thought.
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