raf2020

@Budgie, @Seelive thank you both! This usb hub could be a solution plus I can mod ac adapter cable by extending it quite easily, so my balcony doors probably will close with 2 tinny cables going through (what was my biggest concern). btw. in case I will use phd2+eqdir+tracking cam and wireless shutter release what is the reason to plug dslr through hdmi/usb to pc?

Your answers have gave me full picture now. Thank you @Grant Fribbens and @almcl. My plan is DSO with long exposures on DSLR. But it's possible that I will start from observations just to learn how to do polar alignment, set home position (sic! this looks scary as per yt tutorials) and in general set up everything properly. Obviously pc tracking seems to be a way more suitable and accurate but I have no idea yet how to resolve cabling so that's why probably I will start with SynScan to check what I can get, then eventually I will move to PHD2. You think I can plug all usb's to one hub? Camera, guide camera and EQMOD? Btw. I have spotted that guide cam besides usb port has also st4 port to plug it to mount (in this case ZWO ASI 120MM Mini). I assume it is not necessary? But I am curious how it suppose to work? Thanks, Raf

Hello Guys, Finally after 2 months of reading, watching, analyzing digging I have chosen and set up my first rig (almost as mount is still in delivery). As till now I have focused more on what should I pick rather than how to operate it, I need to double check few things that in theory I know answers, but as this is just an theory without practical experience yet I preferer to ask while waiting for mount: Why I should use EQDIR and PHD tracking instead of just polar alignment and SynScan? It is so huge difference on accuracy or more like preference? Double checking it because if I would go with standard tracking and use external battery I would avoid a lot of hassle with cabling from backyard to my pc in living room (somehow I don't like idea to keep laptop outside in plastic container considering seaside, island weather). Cheers, Raf

Hello Guys, I have Canon 6D and my plan was to remove infra red filter from it, but in the same time I might need light pollution filter (will Astronomik EOS XL Clip-Filter CLS be a wise move?) as I live in Bortel class 7 area. But as far as I know those clip in filters are not suitable for cameras with infra red filter removed. I have 3 questions then. 1. Is it because of mechanical issues, so it won't match mechanically? Or is it because of glass specification? For example is it projected in way to consider effect which infra red filter is adding? Or it isn't a case at all? 2. What potentially will give me better effect? 6D with infra red + mentioned Astronomik EOS XL Clip-Filter CLS or remove of infra red filter without adding LPF? 3. Or maybe 3rd option? Remove of infra red filter and another, suitable LPF? I am in the middle of building of my rig. I have already SW80 EVO ED and Canon 6D. My target is colour DSO (afaik some colours should be visible after postprocessing as this isn't full apo scope). On FLO I have read that Astronomik EOS XL Clip-Filter CLS is suitable for "Black & White photography and CCD photographs of nebulae, galaxies and star clusters with astronomical instruments of any size.". My concern it this B&W as well. Thanks for your tips, Raf

While looking for solution I have found this old thread. So in my case problem was that my username contains special character which DSS apparently doesn't like. As far as I have created temp folder and output folder directly on C:\ drive (to avoid using patch c:\users\my_username\...) is started to work fine. Posting this in case someone will find this thread like me through Google.

Interesting topic for me as well as soon I am (hopefully) going to buy 80ED + HEQ5. I have very newbie question which could be a bit related. Is manual polar alignment of mount necessary always, even when finderscope with cam is controlled by PHD and ASCOM drivers alongside with some planetarium software (not sure which)? Asking as my backyard is located to south and probably I will have very limited view on Polar star.

@Carbon Brush thank you for your effort replying me. I have some experience with couriers as well, but any additional tips related particularly to shipping of/buying remotely astro equipment are more than welcome. In general I am very glad that I have found this board (for newbie it wasn't so easy to find correct place). Please keep fingers crossed I will be able to find also equipment of my pick soon. In general I would prefer to buy new from FLO as I have spoken with their support and they were very honest and helpful plus prices are ok'ish what has convinced me to leave my money there, but unfortunately no ones know when it could be available because of pandemic related delays. Some ppl get used to say "sky won't escape you" but you know how it is Especially when it gives me opportunity to think about 2nd hand equipment what could let me to save some money as well. @fozzybear Ireland @Pixies yes, I am aware of it. Thank you. Cheers Guys, Raf

Thank you Guys for all your replies. Most likely I won't be able to check it personally before buy as I live in Ireland and most of those equipment comes from UK. @Carbon Brush by "The bay" you mean eBay, astrobuysell or both? Btw. what other places you guys might recommend to check for 2nd hand astro equipment? I have posted in "Wanted". Thank you for this tip as well.

Hello Guys, In my previous thread I have received a few very useful tips which helped me to decide what kind of scope and mount should I pick as my first setup for astrophotography. It's gonna be the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro & HEQ5 PRO mount. Due to it's unavailability in EU stores or even if I can find it somewhere prices are veeeeery high I have started to consider to buy it 2nd hand, but I am a bit afraid of getting something faulty. Even if I would pick it up personally my lack of experience in this matter could cause I will be left with faulty scope or mount. Usually it is 4-5 years old equipment in very good condition as per sellers, but who knows. My question is: is it safe and what should I pay attention to? What should I be aware of? What kind of additional questions should I ask seller to be more secured? Thanks for your tips, Raf

It looks cool as this is full triple glasses APO, but it is definitely too expensive for me, especially on start. Good luck with it

Reliable source has confirmed to me that both are a bit fake apochromatic as there is only 2 glasses, but by correction of EG glass it give an effect pretty close to apochromate. This is reasonable as this is half of price than fully apochromate scopes of that size costs. I think it is worth trying as 1st one still and probably I will go for it. Thank you all!

Thanks guys, now this is much clearer for me. Last (at least for now :ASD) is doubt about achromate and apochromate construction regarding Evostars 72ED DS-Pro and 80ED DS-Pro. Hopefully someone will be able to shed a bit of light on it. Cheers

Folks I think that I have found answers for most of my questions. Still I am not sure on two: 2. Will I be able to plug ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono straight away to stock finderscope of Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro Outfit? 4. Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED DS-Pro and Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro are apochromate or achromate? Different sources provides different infos, especially regarding Evostar 80ED DS-Pro. Or maybe there is a two different versions of it? Anyway common for all sources is that those scopes have two glasses, what mean, if I am not wrong, it is achromate (does apochromate mean it should have minimum 3 glasses?). Common is FPL-53 glass as well. I have found that some of them have in description Schott BK-7 + FPL-53 glass, some only FPL-53 so I am rly confused on it. Thank you for any answers, Raf2020

Hello Guys, A bit of background at the beginning. I am new member and absolutely beginner amateur astrophotographer. So far I have used Nikon P900 to do my first catch ups on Jupiter and Saturn. I have improved a bit but I don't think so I can do much more on it. This one was taken few days ago, converted from .mov to .avi with PIPP then stacked from avi with AutoStakker 3 and a bit adjusted. I have watched tons of videos, tutorials and howtos on YT (for example AstroBackyard or AstroBiscuit) and now I am very close to realize dream since my childhood - to have a scope. Initially I wasn't sure I should start with Newtonian/Dobsonian, Schmidt-Cassegrain (like Celestron AVX 6-8 inches) or 80mm refractor. There is a lot of opinions that is very good to start with Dobsonian as you can learn a lot as it is fully manual and giving plenty of fun and decent planetary observations. If you are headstrong even some DSO astrophotography is possible on it. But I have to admit I'm not 20 no more so it could give me more pain and frustration with blurry images than fun. So that's why I have gave up on this idea. So on the field I had Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes vs refractors. First one is very good for planetary astrophotography and observations, which I love. (I haven't mentioned yet - astrophotography will be my goal rather than observations). To make decision I have tried to find an answer what will disappoint me more? Planets on 80mm refractors or DSO on 6-8 inches Celestrons AVX? Unfortunately I didn't find it, so I have had to find another way to pick one. In general DSO astrophotography probably will give me much more space to explore than planetary shoots. And that's why I am very close to pick mid quality 80mm refractor (bigger are too expensive for me). In here I will finish background part of my post but I would love to see your comments on it aswell. Is my way of thinking correct? Now I will move to something more precised and actually what I have picked (or I am very close to pick). Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro on HEQ5 PRO mount. Tbh it is also a bit too expensive for me, at least more expensive than I have considered to spend on this. Especially when I am aware it is just low-mid level and I will need to spend another ~500 quids on second hand DSLR and accessories. I have found this offer Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro & HEQ5 PRO which looks pretty ok'ish and I have few related questions: 1. Do I rly need to spend another 200 euros on Sky-Watcher .85x Reducer/Flattener for ED80 considering astrophotography? I know it's strongly recommended but perhaps I can start without and then when image quality will be dissatisfy me I will add this? It is almost half of scope price. Maybe I can get some cheaper replacement? 2. This offer includes Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro Outfit. Do I rly need outfit version? For example this stock finderscope will allow me to plug ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono? (I have picked this one because it is cheapest available, hopefully it will do the job :ASD). I know other accessories will allow me to do observations from time to time, what is actually great but if I cannot attache tracking cam to stock finderscope it could be a bit pointless so maybe I should get Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro OTA instead of outfit? 3. I am going to buy used Canon D-series and probably mod it by removing of red light filter plus maybe add fan. I know I will need Astro Essentials M48 Camera Adapter. But do I also need things like Astro Essentials 2" Nosepiece to Male M48 Thread, Sky-Watcher EvoFrame Camera Rotator for Evostar 80 or Astro Essentials Filter Cell Adapter for Sky-Watcher ED Series Flatteners, Astro Essentials Adapter for Sky-Watcher Focal Reducers if I will go with Sky-Watcher .85x Reducer/Flattener for ED80? Sorry but I am not familiar yet with those small adapters. 4. A bit dummy question, but Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED is better for astrophotography than cheaper but widely recommended Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED? 5. Regarding HEQ5 PRO mount. Do I need to buy Lynx Astro FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter for Sky-Watcher Mounts to plug it to my laptop? I can not see any PC cable is included. 6. Mount has 12v Cigarette DC Power Cable included. It works on batteries or AC adapter? (which is apparently not included?). 7. I assume most accurate way to control it will be through external software and finderscope/guidecam? 8. Taking of photos and general controlling of camera. Does this mount have option like this or should I buy cheap, external controller for camera? 9. What I can expect on this regarding planets? I know it is not rly suitable, but any examples of Jupiter or Saturn? How much detailed it could be? I could not find anything. 10. Do I need William Optics Bhatinov Mask? I know it helps a lot to find the focus, but tbh 45 quids for piece of plastic is a bit expensive : P Should I consider to find replacement? Guys, sorry for wall of text but I tried to explain my needs and doubts best I could. I know it is a lot and maybe I haven't described it precisely but I have tried. I would really appreciate any advices. Cheers, Raf2020