OptymsticAlpaca

Already have a RACI thankfully!! The thing is a lifesaver. I think I’d definitely like to try a planetary camera. It’s not cheap, but it will last a long time, and I think that if it worked out with my current gear, it would be worth it. My biggest concern now though is the drift and the lack of tracking, and the effect of the small field of view. (Apologies if my terminology is wrong, I’m still fairly new here) Currently, using a DSLR, I need to use a 2x Barlow to reach focus. This obviously reduces fov, and Jupiter drifts across the frame quite quickly. I really don’t like the look of the size of the planet on Stellarium, with all the details of telescope, chip, and Barlow(hopefully) correctly inputted. Jupiter drifts across the frame in about 25 seconds, and I worry this isn’t long enough to collect enough data. Thanks for all your replies, this community is the best.

What size scope are you using for yours now? The 12 inch? I'd also like to ask about what peoples thoughts are on capture method. I don't have a tracking mount, so my process so far has been record the planet as it drifts across the FOV, then move the telescope and let it drift again, up until around 3 minutes when rotation starts becoming an issue. I've tried doing this as one continuous video, and I've tried it as multiple shorter videos that I put into PIPP(I think..) as a batch. Also, your images are fantastic! I love your Venus, and the Jupiter improvement does bring me some hope

Used registax, tried lots of different things, and followed tutorials and guides of course. I think it was a little bit of a case of garbage in, garbage out, as my adjustments didn't improve the image loads. My raw video is very bad, the turbulence is awful. I couldn't believe I got something even that good out of it.

That looks like a very good option. I will look into them more, and hopefully I can try and get one. Thank you!!

The improvement is amazing, I would love to get results like yours one day!!!! I will definitely look more into planetary cameras, at the peril of my wallet....

Seems everyone is in agreement, and my fear is confirmed.... Are there any risks with a second hand planetary camera? Almost everyone in this hobby I've interacted with so far has been absolutely lovely, and very helpful, but I do worry about a lack of support/stability that buying second hand might bring. Another thing I wouldn't mind picking someone's brain over: Mono or colour? I know that mono gives better image quality, but colour is easier to deal with- but do people think the tradeoff is worth it? I think I would prefer a colour cam for the ease of use, but I don't want to limit myself too much because of this. Thank you all so much for your replies, they are incredibly helpful.

Hi Owmuchonomy, Thanks for your reply!! I have now changed it to JPEG. I have been looking at planetary cameras for a while, I was hoping that something slightly cheaper and easier might be improved first. though... I've seen a little bit of Chris Go's presentation a while ago, but I'll be sure to give it another watch.

I am currently using a Stellalyra 200mm Dobsonian, a 2x Barlow, and a Canon 700D DSLR camera. I then use PIPP and Autostackert to process. I would really appreciate any help or advice to produce better images, as I can't figure out what the weakest link is. I have attached my best Jupiter photo, to take it I recorded a video on the DSLR of the planet drifting across the frame. I know this isn't ideal, but I don't have a tracking mount(yet, I really want one but I need to save and research...). The frame rate of the camera is not great, and neither is the video quality. Seeing was good, but in the raw video only the faintest weather bands were visible, if you look closely enough. Thanks, Owen

I have tried them but with not much success, my exposures for Orion were 2s if I remember right. Might give it another go at some point though.

Thanks, Andromeda was on my list! I've heard of NPF but haven't used it yet, will try next time. New 8 inch dob should be arriving soon, after more than a year! Very excited and hoping to get another try on Orion, more light but obviously shorter exposures for no trailing. The massive issue I have had is that my 256G computer ran out of storage because of the number of files Siril creates as by-products. These intermediate files are all deleted afterwards but with 600 RAW images all making different versions for R,G,B and preprocessed versions it does get out of hand. If anyone could think of a solution not involving star tracking (I would like to but ) I think would not be so afraid to try something similar again. Thanks, Owen

I decided to try astrophotography beyond holding a phone to the eyepiece! Just a canon 700D on a wobbly tripod but it works surprisingly well. I decided to go for the Orion Nebula in the clear weather last night and ended up with 600 lights and about a hundred calibration frames total. I used Siril to stack and do some processing and then moved into GIMP. Obviously this setup will not grant incredible views but I suspect the weakest link is my processing! This is what came out of Siril with colour calibration and green noise removal. r_bkg_pp_lights_stacked.tif This is my result from GIMP r_bkg_pp_lights_stacked.tif Just wondering if anyone has any tips for a better image? Or any other easy unguided dslr objects for this time of year? (sorry if images aren't accessible, I'm not great with adding media!) Thanks, Owen

Thanks, that's really helpful. Manual was lost way before I owned it!

Sorry, first time trying to post an image.

Very confused about what these three shiny bits are used for, quite a hard thing to google! Photo should be attached IMG_0569.HEIC

Thank you all for your replies! The main thing I am worried about is if I have gone too big! Both 'scopes would be a a massive step up from what I'm currently using, but the StellaLyra is my preference (my main deciding factor is which is back in stock first- The due date has slipped many times for the Bresser!). I am worried that a lot of people seem surprised by the size of their dobs when they arrive. I definitely want to be able to carry it out to the garden on my own! Now might be my last chance to change my mind and go for something smaller..... or not! Thanks, Owen