Ande

They misplaced my house 😳 Been in all day today waiting for them to perform a collection. They elected not to bother. Nice of them to not bother letting me know either 🤨.

Excellent purchase! I have an Artcise tripod. Really sturdy and light.

Turned up earlier today..... A Williams Optics guide scope https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/william-optics-32mm-slide-base-uniguide-scope.html and a Williams Optics diagonal https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/william-optics-125-dura-bright-dielectric-diagonal.html. Also a WO t-connector thing for the Canon, but not worth picturing. All appear to be lovely quality items. I bought the guidescope to replace a ZWO guide scope that was really disappointing. The difference between the two is quite significant. I think I’m turning into a WO a fanboy. Loving their stuff

It turned up a couple of hours ago. I haven’t had a chance to test it yet, but it does seem a nice step up in quality. It feels like it actually represents the price paid, whereas the ZWO felt like fifteen quid’s worth.

You not got one kicking about in a drawer somewhere? I seem to have dozens of the things 😀

That was the route I took with the Skywatcher 250dob. Works beautifully. I bought the Skywatcher RACI and it offered stunning views in it’s own right 😀

Excellent 🙂🙂

Next time out I shall try a quick experiment at higher ISO. However, if I can increase my exposure lengths significantly, then I would rather work with ISO 200.

Wow! Thank you. That is quite a lot of information there. I shall need time to digest, and understand it. I am aiming for longer exposures. My first night out I really wanted to grab some quick exposures before the clouds rolled in, mainly so I could check out the mechanics of DSS. But my exposures were way too short, to the point that DSS rejected them. That’s when I got into the ISO mini debate. I shall be aiming for up to 3 minutes at a push. We’ll see how that transpires😂

That is very helpful, thank you. I am using a Skyguider Pro, so should be okay with longer exposures. I’ve just bought a guide camera too, but not had a chance to become acquainted with it as yet. Next time out I am going to make it my mission to find out what max exposure time I can reach. That is a stunning final image by the way

Hi all. Just trying to get my head around what the ISO setting for my Canon 80D should be. Now, I understand how ISO works during regular, terrestrial photography, and how the need for varying the ISO is a factor. However, after reading this article: http://dslr-astrophotography.com/iso-values-canon-cameras/ it is suggested that, when it comes to astrophotography, there is no advantage to be had by increasing the value beyond the optimum setting, which, for my particular camera, is an ISO value of 200, as the SNR rises considerably alongside the ISO. When I last attempted imaging, I stuck with this setting of 200 and tried, unsuccessfully, to capture the Pleiades. As it turned out, my exposure time was way too short due to my inexperience. But, in the back and forth that followed, it was suggested by a few members that my ISO needed cranking right up, which in complete contrast to what the article above is telling me. So, is there a general consensus? Do I stick with, what appears to be, hard fact, or do I take the article with a pinch of salt?

I had problems the other day. It wouldn’t let me look at any manuals, but I managed to download a driver, and some software. Think the website is a bit buggy.

Will do 🙂

Well, the poor quality has got the better of me and I’ve ordered a replacement scope. Went with this one from Williams optics: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/william-optics-32mm-slide-base-uniguide-scope.html A fair bit lighter than the ZWO Mini, and also like the measurement marking guide printed along the side. Handy for if it ever gets packed away. Just hope it’s better quality.

Thank you. I’ve just been reading the reviews on Steam. 10/10 and people comparing it to a god-like experience. Unfortunately, I’m working away from home for a while. The second I get back I shall be all over this 🙂

I’ll have a peep. There was also one called Sandbox Universe, or something like that. I did a bit of Googling, and, as ever, it seems they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I shall dig deeper 😀

If you ordered from FLO it may be worth checking their stocks. They look a lot healthier today than they did yesterday. I’ve been looking at telescopes, and certainly the Williams Optics stuff is suddenly plentiful apart from the Space Cat, which had probably been subject to back orders. Might be worth seeing if the bountiful harvest has spread across all brands.

Just wondered if any of you were using any packages that were able to show the beauty, and scale of the universe? I don’t mean Stellarium or Sky Safari etc. I do have both of those, and they are invaluable for showing what’s where etc. But they are, to me, merely practical, as opposed to being particularly entertaining. I’ve just become aware of Space Engine, which looks incredible. And it’s very reasonably priced too, and available on Steam. But, before I splash out, are there any similar options for me to consider? My absolute dream would be to have something like this in VR, but accept that it is pretty unlikely.

Thanks for clarifying. That is one less idea for me to try to get my head around, which is no bad thing. Consider the notion binned

Like many others on here, my little brain is trying to piece together the purpose, and practicalities of all of these weird and wonderful concepts. Is there any merit in using binning with a DSLR? Also, being a beginner, is it just something I should sidestep for the time being, until I’m more experienced? I’ve recently bought an ASIair Pro, which has yet to see first light, and binning seems to be one of the many functions on offer.

I hadn’t even thought of looking at Canon’s own software. Something else for me to look into. I hope the clouds don’t part for the next 3 months, as I shall be way too busy 😂 Much appreciated 🙂

Yes, that is definitely an option on the camera, and not a bad idea. I think I may already have Adobe Bridge on the laptop, as part of the CS2 package, although I could be wrong. I’ll check on that next time I fire it up. Much appreciated 🙂

That looks like it’s really been looked after. Good find

That looks like a nice upgrade. And I agree that the SVBONY one is probably identical. The only thing that stops me grabbing one is that it is all extra weight. And, given that I’m perching everything on a Skyguider, I have to be a bit weight conscious.

Very wise. I think the ZWO’s main redeeming feature is that it is small, and lightweight. But the love affair ends there for me.