Bonamy

Having spent the previous day screw driver in hand removing the IR filter in my Canon 60D, the skies kindly cleared for me on Friday night. So I decided to see if I could capture the Horse Head. Camera: Canon 60D Mount: Skywatcher Adventurer Lens: Canon 100-400mm at 400mm f5.6 ISO: 1600 Subs: 53 x 60s Darks: 30 Flats: 30 Bortle Class: 4 Stacked in Deepsky Stacker (100% of lights, I had removed 15 subs due to various issues), processed in Photoshop The moon was not ideal, but I'm still getting used to the whole process, so making use of the early enthusiasm and getting some practise in. I tried a number of different processing techniques, and decided this version had the best balance, although I realise I may have overdone he noise reduction (it was significant at this stretch). I'd welcome some feedback, and also suggestions on what to look at next. I have a clip in H-Alpha filter ordered, so I was thinking I might have another go with that (esp with the moon getting brighter). However, my view to the west isn't great, and Orion is getting low, so limited on exposure time)

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I'm slightly worried about asking this question, but when does the compulsion to check the weather forecast as soon as I wake up wear off?

I'm also new and learning to use the 127 SLT. I thought I would share this trick I've been using, but first it is worth noting that this mount seems very sensitive to voltage drop on the batteries. From my last attempt at imaging I can confirm this, so if you can, get a power adapter. I found trying to align was quite hit and miss for me, so I came up with a way to practice on cloudy days inside. However it does require a couple of purchases (I had these since I plan to try some imaging with a DSLR). 1) Tripod Adapter Plate Dovetail Bar so I can replace the telescope on the mount with other equipment (this was about £30) 2) A phone adapter mount so I can attach my phone to the plate and hence to the mount Once connected, I then fired up a star map application on my phone, and used it as a simulated telescope. This then allows me to go through a Star Align routine in the warm and trouble shoot any issues. I realise it is not going to be accurate, but the mount does lock on to a target, and I can leave it running to see how well it tracks. It may not fix your problem, but at least you can try again before the next clear skies?

Hello, I've always been a keen photographer, but had no idea you could use pretty basic kit to explore the skies. I think I'm addicted. I love the combination of technology and art. I have a technical background, and certainly enjoy playing with anything digital. Having read around the subject, I hope to take a phased approach to learning. Broadly along the following lines. Start off by using my existing equipment with some small low-cost add ons (dew heater, bahtinov mask, power supply etc). I've also made some progress with short exposure fixed tripod based stacks, and repurposed my Celestron 127 SLT mount to help with realignment, but keeping exposures short. My next advance was to connect my Canon 5D MK IV to Backyard EOS which has really helped with focus/alignment and managing the run plan with such short exposures. For amusement I have been working on a 3D printed wedge to see if I can convert the mount into an EQ mount. Which is basically where I am up to. I had my first failure last night. Just couldn't get the mount to track and align in EQ mode. I suspected the batteries in the mount, and further research looks like it confirms my thoughts. I was using rechargeable batteries, and the mount is very sensitive to voltage drop. But being my first attempt, I was sure it was my mistake and not equipment failure (still could be both!). Live and learn. If I were to summarise, this is my mid term plan: - Get SLT 127 working as an EQ mount and take some longer exposure tracked subs with my Sigma 200mm mounted to the Canon 5d MK iv - Add a small guide scope to the mount to play with guiding and to see the effect on the results. See if I can push the focal length to 400mm. - Modify my older 60D to remove the IR filter and do some before and after tests - Purchase a Skywatcher Star Adventurer or similar and build a lightweight portable tracked rig. Will start with my existing lenses and reuse the guide scope from the SLT rig. Then I'll pause and take stock before continuing. I like the thought of pushing all the equipment to its limit before continuing. I think I'll learn more that way. Anyway, hello all, feedback welcome. Bon

Just starting out with the photography equipment I have already. I think I may have found myself a new hobby. This was taken a few nights ago. Camera Canon 5d mk IV, Sigma 70-200mm f2,8. 1,384 subs at 1s, 50 flats, 30 darks. Used Deep Sky Stacker and photoshop. Just enjoyed the process from start to finish. I have a Celestron Nexstar 127 slt, so planning to try mounting the DSLR and taking some short subs to see what I can tease out of that. I may even try to design a mount to convert to an EQ mount. Just waiting for the skies to clear