Endolf

Hi I've got a Canon 600D that I'm thinking of getting modified, I've done some reading and the full spectrum mod with the Astronomik replacement glass (plus clip in filters) is sounding interesting. I've only found 1 place in the UK that seems to advertise that option, I contacted them but have had no reply. Any recommendations for locations to try? Thanks

My first attempt, taken on the 6th Feb, the first night I got my new mount up and running, the first time I managed to photograph a DSO. I only managed 10x120s subs before the clouds came over. My girlfriends Canon 1000D, my old (I've had it at least 20 years) Orion Optics Europa 150 f/5. I was unable to focus the camera in prime focus setup, so I was using eyepiece projection with a 38mm ep. M42 was only about 30 degrees above the horizon, bortle 6 skies according to the map I've found, and it was quite close to a very bright moon. My first attempts at processing were horrible, this isn't much better, but I did finally persuade ASTAP to stack 8 out of the 10 subs. I've never done any photo processing before, so it's all a learning curve. I didn't take any darks that evening, but I took some a few days later sat in my lounge, much warmer camera, but it did make a bit of a difference. Next time I'll know to take darks at least. I've changed the setup now so I have the end from an old barlow lense on a shorter nosepiece for the DSLR, just got to wait for some clear skies now to see what I can manage.

Managed to make some progress this evening, I got 20 minutes on M42 in 2 minute subs, played around with ASTAP for stacking the images and this fell out. Need to do some more reading as the stars are blown, but feeling quite good about how this is going . On the subs I can tell some of the issue is coma, and some of the issue is the light pollution where I am and the fact that the moon is not well placed right now.

I got back late this evening from a meeting, so had to do my first setup with the mount in the dark. I need longer mains leads and I need to do some more research on polar alignment, but I managed to get enough set up to give *something* a try. I didn't get the Stellarmate set up this evening (power cable issues and time), so I didn't manage to get the camera triggering remotely, which meant 30s was the max. I managed to get my first reasonable image. I need to work on getting good focus too, but I did managed to capture my first photo. M42, a nice easy starting point Un processed, unstacked, single image. A personal first even if it's not very impressive (and could have been done with much simpler equipment....)

Unfortunately not, 2 forecasts are suggesting Thursday this week and then maybe Wednesday next week. Guess I have time to figure out how the mount, Stellarmate and the DSLR work together 🙂

The best is unpacked, seen with my old mount Had to put some new holes in the dovetail and machine a recess in the back to fit my old tube rings to the new mount. Set up mostly, mount, DSLR and stellarmate waiting for some clear skies.... But not tonight 🙄

Aaah, the posh side of Junction 19 😉, I'm on the other side.

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Hi I've had a Orion Europa 150 f5 for about 20 years, it's not had much use in recent years due to living with light pollution near Bristol. I tried to do some photography with the scope a few years back but struggled with only having a manual mount, so really short exposures, using my other halves Canon 1000D and no filters. I've recently started using it again and decided to go for it, one bit at a time, so I upgraded my mount getting my first goto mount. I figured I didn't want to buy twice so I just went completely over spec so it will outlast me :). I've also started looking in to Stellarmate to control the setup. Still using the Canon 1000D and my ancient scope for now, but hope to upgrade things over time.