Leon-Fleet

Thanks guys, I'll keep working on my processing, nice to know there's nothing majorly wrong with the data. 

no not noisy, it's the gradient, which I think is because I didn't do flats.... 

I have tried processing this data but am struggling tbh. 

if someone could have a look and see what they can do with it, or flag up any issues I'd really appreciate it. Link to Dropbox below. 

flame nebula, 

35 X 120 sec iso 800 

10 x Darks 

taken with 72ED and Nikon D610, Star Adventurer. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/up66rlyle6kggaz/Autosave.tif?dl=0

Thanks for the help! 

I've got the M model. 

I haven't got any filters yet, they will be next on my shopping list. ( Side note do i get in camera filters for my DSLR or a camera wheel, prob the latter) 

My laptop is pretty basic so hopefully it will be up to the task. 

3 hours ago, vlaiv said:

Capture video using SharpCap or FireCapture in 12bit mode using ROI to frame the planet (unless doing lunar). Make sure your laptop has fast enough HDD (best if it is SSD with enough speed). Use USB3.0 port if your camera is USB3.0 (but I think that QHY5-II is only USB2.0? right?). Use SER file format to capture your movie (not avi).

I don't have any idea what the above means so will have to read up and learn by trial and error. 

The rest sounds straight forward, I'll give it a go! 

Excellent!

I haven't bought anything from ABS yet but I'm sure this hobby will have me looking before too long!

I've now got everything I need for now, except filters! 

Hi All,

I know there are plenty of tutorial videos out there on You Tube, some good and lots of terrible ones. Can someone, help cut through the noise and recommend a tutorial that they feel is the best? 

I will be using my QHY5-II Mono camera with my 72ED, APD 

Thanks 

On 03/12/2019 at 19:34, knobby said:

ED72 / William optics 0.8 reducer / ZWO 1600 mono / ZWO filter wheel ...

 

This is amazing, maybe one day I will be able to do something close to this. 

On 03/12/2019 at 21:40, PEMS said:

The 72ED is the scope of the two for imaging.

If used for viewing you will need a diagonal and a few eyepieces, you will find 3 will be adaquate to get started. Which ones you purchase is a case of budget mainly.

The Skywatcher focuser does have a lot of travel, so can cause a few problems. If you buy a 2" diagonal then it may be impossible to get enough inward travel. A 2" diagonal looks good on it so if you decide on one research the mechanical size of it for the optical path involved. There are low profile diagonals but not sure how low profile they are.

For imaging you do not need the diagonal, you attach straight through with a T-ring for the DSLR or whatever attachment is required for an AP camera.

Hold off of buying a guide scope. You cannot fully guide with the mount as it does not have a declination motor so there is no way you can control that aspect. Which means is it worth purchasing a guide scope and camera. I would not, however your decision. It seems to be a case that having a guide port makes you think you can guide fully whereas you cannot. So a guide port does not mean you can guide, at least fully.

The focuser on the skywatcher 72ED does not feel very solid. You may need to take it apart to understand how it fully operates. Mine I found I just could not adjust correctly until I had taken it apart to see what exactly was happening and then understand it more. Slightly extreme maybe, but it worked, asI now know what is going on.

The scope is flexible in that you can add diagonal and eyepiece and view, remove diagonal and add attachments and DSLR and image, you can also add a solar filter or herschel wedge and solar view.

Thanks for the help and advice, I managed to pick up a Second Hand 72ED which came with several accessories. Namely a 2" diagonal, a Celestron X-Cel LX 9mm Eyepiece, extension tubes and such. and a Skywatcher AZ Pronto Alt-Azimuth Mount and tripod https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-pronto/sky-watcher-az-pronto-alt-azimuth-mount-tripod.html

I definitely wont be taking apart, I'm definitely not the right person to be doing that!!!! 

I'm sure I'll be back asking for help on putting it all together and getting it working before too long. 

On 03/12/2019 at 16:40, Steve Clay said:

There is one for sale in the ads section. Has all the bits with it.

Hi Steve, 

I got it!! Thanks for the assist! 

I got a proper bargain too, the accessories are worth more than the scope! perfect Nic too. 

Hello wise People of SWR.

I just got my first real scope, the Starwave 72ed.

I want to connect it to my Nikon d610 but am having trouble getting the assembly right.

I have mix of extension tubes etc. but the way I have it in the pic below looks completely wrong. (Even though I achieved focus this way) 

Can someone please help?! 

27 minutes ago, laudropb said:

The ED 72 is a better scope, but be aware you still have to buy a diagonal, a finder scope and eyepieces before you can use it for observing. It will work out a fair bit more expensive.

I thought the ED 72  must be better, I would be using it for imaging mostly so can use my other Konouspace scope for visual. 

however someone has just said to me that I should just stick with lenses, and not get a scope at all. 

I'm pretty confused as what to do now! 

1 hour ago, happy-kat said:

Have you tried using a bahtinov mask to help focus your lenses, or make a simple Y mask to check focus though you'll need a live view screen to check focus.

I've used Bahtinov Masks, 10x zoom on the live view, taped the lens etc. bit can never get it right. 

I almost gave up last year. 

I keep thinking there must be something wrong with my kit... 

I didn't know that about the scopes so thanks! 

I have got some lenses but none are of particularly good quality. 

I also thought achieving focus on the scope would be easier than with the lenses. 

I've always struggled to get pin sharp stars. 

So I am looking to get my first scope, one that I can put on the Star Adventurer. 

I'm aware the max load capacity for the SA is 5kg. Both scopes I ahve found will come in under that; but I eventually plan on adding Camera (Nikon D90), guide scope.... 

So I need a compact, light weight scope. 

I've come across these two, by way of recommendations and trawling through websites. 

I have also been told that I should get a refactor instead of a reflector for imaging, is this the correct advice? 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/sky-watcher-evostar-72ed-ds-pro-ota.html  

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-starquest/sky-watcher-starquest-102r-f49-achromatic-refractor-telescope.html

The 72 ED is potentially what I am leaning towards now but the 102r comes with many of the accessories that the 72ED doesn't. 

If any of you are already using this scope or similar with the Star Adventurer I'd love to hear of your experience with it.

Can someone advise me which one would be better for Imaging? 

Thanks in advance for your comments and by all means jump in with a "I wouldn't choose either of those I'd choose..." answers. My budget is around the £250 mark. 

I'm using a Nikon D90 which has  a APS-C

I'll look into a flattener/reducer 

3 hours ago, vlaiv said:

I think that you want something like this:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10419_Skywatcher-Teleskop-Evostar-72mm-f-6-ED-Apochromatic-refractor.html

or perhaps a bit better version (not optically, but mechanically as it has sliding dew shield and 2.5" R&P focuser):

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8866_TS-Optics-Photoline-72mm-f-6-FPL53-und-Lanthanum-Apo---2-5--R-P-focuser.html

 

Thanks for this. I think the Evostar 72 is closer to my budget right now. 

Imaging Dave. I've edited above

what scope goes best with the SA? 

I'm looking for a  Refactor, relatively cheap, wide field and compact that's best suited for Imaging DSO's 

suggestions would be appreciated, thanks 

what scope goes best with the SA? 

I'm looking for a  Refactor, relatively cheap, wide field and compact. 

suggestions would be appreciated, thanks 

@Louis D its gone!  

@banjaxed - i've seen the ad, it looks like a great set up but a bit far to go an pick up I'm afraid. 

@Helen thanks so much for the explanation, it's much clearer now. 

It looks like i'll still need to save a bit more for the ideal set up. 

I've been looking around and i think I could afford an EQ3-2 with GOTO and a 130PDS. I can add my QHDM guiding set up. 

does that sound like a wise move? 

@Helen thanks. 

I think SH is the way to go. although i find it all quite confusing. 

Am I right in thinking all GOTO mounts will track? So perhaps an EQ3 might suit my needs? 

@banjaxed  @Louis D thanks for the advice. 

I want to do astrophotography no just visual, so guess I might have to wait and save up a bit more. Unless there are SH options. 

The Go to is really important as I have been hopeless at getting the targets in the frame so far! 

I'm looking for my first scope and Go-to tracking mount and tripod bundle. 

I've been using the SA for my astrophotography for about 2 years now and think its time to move up. 

Is there something out there for under £500 SH?