Hi, new here, and have already done a bit of reading about this topic today but looking for specific recommendations rather than me taking a stab in the dark on amazon etc.
I finally got all of my kit out last night and thought regardless of the moonlight that I’d have my first practice run at some imaging with my new (to me) setup, which is as follows:
- Star Adventurer Pro 2i
- Canon 6D
- canon 75-300mm lens - currently no hood
- wireless Pixel intervalometer
Got everything aligned for the first time which took me a short while to do, played with some exposure times until I was happy, then setup the intervalometer and let it get on with everything. I did go back a few times to check the star adventurer/intervalometer were working as expected, but didn’t think to check the lens...
At the end of what was a few hours I noticed the lens had condensation all over it. I realise (now!), there are various methods from heaters or maybe even using a small usb fan to prevent this so wondered what others with a similar setup or more experience are using - preferably the best at the budget end of things as I hadn’t factored this in.
I was using a K&F light pollution filter and wasn’t sure if it was just the filter tha had condensation or the actual lens underneath too. I left everything as it was once I brought it inside so it could dry naturally. Not sure if that was correct.
I’m going to get a lens hood sorted as a quick easy step but know that won’t prevent it for the long periods the equipment is left outside for.
Also, I was wondering, with all that expensive electronic equipment left outside gathering condensation all over it is that bad/potentially going to kill the electricals? Mostly thinking about the star adventurer and canon 6d body here... I’ve never had a dslr, and only initially bought it for astrophotography but my wife loves the photos it takes for real life too, so want it to last, and can’t afford to invest in another.
While it was frustrating to find no real useable images it was still a useful learning session in terms of setting everything up properly, taking all the darks/flats/bias etc. I was pleased just to get the polar alignment right truth be told!
Apologies if these are silly questions, I’m new to all of this/the equipment and want it to last!
Any advice appreciated.