Rich1980

Hi,

I'm after some advice please, my Dad is on about buying a memorable birthday present (not that I'd admit to reaching any milestone nor getting old!), as we share an interest in astronomy it feels an investment into this field would be something that would get used on something we both love and always be a fond memory.

My question is being into astrophotography (although still learning it will be a consistent passion along with my other photography), what piece of equipment would be a good idea for a present that would be a long term item among my setup? I currently have a NEQ6 with a 200PDS, imaging with my dslr.

All ideas are welcome regardless of budget.

Cheers,

Rich.

That's a lot of info to work with, thank you so much everyone. 

I have the 28mm eyepiece that came with it, a cheap 12.5mm and x2 Barlow too. 

As mentioned viewing will only really be to show other people, all my time will really be on improving my photography, all being well anyway. 

Thanks again for the advice. 

I was wondering if anyone could help with a list of objects to view with a 200pds? 

It's mainly for photography but when people show interest in what's going off are there any objects that would be ideal in showing them?

On 30/11/2019 at 13:37, davew said:

It just occurred to me Rich, today is the last day of posting to this challenge so if you did a bit last night then get it in quick

Ah sadly not Dave, had a nightmare and took the wrong cable so I couldn't do any star trails sadly. 

Running the camera would've been a bonus to be out with the scope so not all was lost. 

4 hours ago, davew said:

I hope you can get out.

I tend to do my star trails with the same exposure time as a single exposure. That way I can make a timelapse as well if I want. If you increase exposure times then timelapses are out but you may get more star colour and better foreground. Choices choices I then tend to do at least an hour and often more. You can always leave subs out but can't add them afterwards.

Dave.

I'm definitely out tonight for a few hours so watch this space. Thanks for the tips. 

That is great, agree on the reflection too. Might take my camera out tomorrow and get some star trails. Thanks for the inspiration. 

Yes it would help with a location, I've the HEQ5 Pro version & tripod + battery pack, WiFi adapter and tablet for sale for £600 based in Yorkshire.

Thanks for the light pollution map and gostargazing sites, I'll have a look around and see where I can find. Will also ask up at WYAS next time I'm up there. 

Am just a bit weary of finding a random car park out in the sticks for if it is frequented by other hobbyists late at night! 

So when it is clear I have to go out with my scope as the garden view is blocked on all sides. 

Just wondered where people in similar situations headed for? 

Are there any specific places around Pontefract of any use? 

Had a visit to WYAS a couple of Tuesdays ago, can highly recommend it too, we loved it and can't believe it was the first time as I'm only in Ferrybridge. 

I don't often have much free time on an evening but will get back as and when time does allow. 

Welcome Dave, can't ever have enough of us lucky folk from West Yorkshire.

I've little experience of non eq mounted photography but can recommend getting a scope on an eq mount, as soon as you've sussed out polar aligning you're away. Computerised goto, especially from the phone or tablet makes it so easy. Downside there is a cost (£600 with power supply etc) but the best money I ever spent. 

Finally had 10 mins to try my new setup the other night, it was more a test for focusing my dslr but did capture this at the same time. 

First of many images to come all being well and hopefully they'll improve and get clearer too! 

Quick update, Making Every Photon Count arrived today from the proud sponsors of here, so a bit of bedtime reading for the next few nights. 

Thanks again for the info and advice, really learning a lot on here. It is very much appreciated. 

The orion nebula photo is amazing too Olly. 

4 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

First point: any deviation from perfect polar alignment will generate field rotation. However, if it amounts to less than half a pixel at the edge of field in the sub length you are using, will you see it? Put it this way, it won't be your biggest problem as an imager!

Second point: if it were true that brighter objects needed shorter subs you'd be right. However, my own M42 used 15 minute subs and my M31 used 30 minute subs. Yes, both involved short subs blended in to capture the brightest details but very few objects can be done entirely in short subs. When I say 'very few' I should say that I have yet to encounter one.

Olly

Ah so like shooting bracketed photos to merge afterwards, how do you work out exposure times when working to 30 minutes etc? 

I'm gonna need to buy that book for sure! 

4 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

Yes!  This is the brilliant bit which allows you to guide to a fraction of a pixel, contrary to what might seem reasonable. You don't guide on a star, in reality, you guide on the 'centroid' of a star which is far more accurate.

Autoguiding involves an exquisite bit of engineering which can turn a mount's natural error of maybe 30 seconds of arc into an error of maybe 0.5 seconds of arc. And this at a cost of a couple of hundred euros. It sets up a virtuous feedback loop of quite fantastic efficiency. Do it!

Olly

Edit

 

You lost me with the numbers haha but fraction of a pixel sounds impressive. 

And when the time may come to do delve into this, I've a orion 80mm scope I could use? Old laptop laying about, so would just need to buy a guide camera? 

Ah I see, and is field rotation where the framing of your shot would basically rotate due to not being alone right? 

Am I right thinking the brighter objects M31, M42, etc would need less guiding as exposure times won't be as long yes? 

Thanks too for the responses. 

From looking around the forum I gather autoguiding is very popular and bordering on essential for DSO photography but I'm wondering how does it work? 

Am I right thinking you point it at your chosen subject and it adjusts to any movement from that subject? 

If that is the case, does a perfect polar alignment matter or will the autoguiding adjust for that too? 

Forgive me too if this is a daft thread as it's all new to me!

Yes it will mainly be astrophotography, I've heard the book mentioned a few times so will grab a copy of that and watch the YouTube link over the weekend. 

Many thanks for the responses. 

So I've got my scope and mount sorted, along with a t ring and adapter. Now I'm waiting for the time to get out and use them but where should I kick off? The moon seems an obvious target to begin with, any other ideas for a novice? 

Also any thing else that would help me to start with? Or stuff to read up on while the weather isn't great?

Ta, 

Rich. 

2 hours ago, MimasDeathStar said:

Hello there, everyone is really nice here I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice, I know I have! 

Googled your scope - what a beast! Can't wait to see what images you can produce with it! 

You might be in for a long wait for anything of quality haha 

Thanks again everyone, such a friendly place. 

I'm just starting out so I don't know much, but I do know that if years down the line I could produce something like that I would be chuffed to bits. 

Thanks everyone, a very warm welcome indeed. 

Had a quick look around the forum and gallery and feel a good bit of time will be spent in here. Some amazing photos to inspire. 

Hi everyone,

Having just purchased a Skywatcher 200pds to get stuck into some dslr astrophotography, I thought it best to sign up and be inspired and pick up any tips from people with much more knowledge than I have. 

Look forward to reading and posting when time and clear skies allow.

Rich.