GeoffM54

I have managed to get this all installed on an RPI5, using the "Nou" script. PHD2 didn't seem to install properly, so did that again manually on its own.  Everything seems to connect ok, I VNC into the Pi which is still using the wayland desktop, no apparent issues so far.  Just got to work out how to use it now.  My telescope setup for this is a Skywatcher star discovery alt/az mount WiFi connected to Synscan pro, zwo asi224mc main camera, and asi120mm mini guidescope and Skywatcher Evolux 62ED main telescope with field flattener.

So I had some new bits for Christmas, and finally parted with my Pentax K5II and got a Canon 70D (not modded) as these are so much better supported for Astrophotography.  Assembled all the kit to check balance and focussing for the two ZWO cameras. well pleased with the setup. Just need some decent weather to try it all out.

From the above subject line what would be the best setup here for deep sky imaging.  I do have a variety of DSLR fixed focal length Lenses available namely 50mm f1.7 125mm f2.5 200mm f3.5 (Pentax K3 DSLR). Weight might be a problem with the Evolux and DSLR it's close to the maximum for the 2i. I've only really tried the DSLR+2i so far as it so easy to set up.

11 minutes ago, PadrePeace said:

That sensor is very sensitive in the IR as its sales pitch outlines. Use it without if you are doing planetary stuff with Saturn Jupiter etc as it will pick out the IR emissions in those objects well. Plenty of help for that aspect on the Tube and other forums if you want to have a go. It will change output colours as already mentioned here.
Otherwise strap a filter on and forget it. A filter will sharpen stars if you use the sensor for guiding or deep sky objects as I have. see attached.

clear skies….

Stunning pictures, that will give me something to aim for.

Best get one then.

I've just bought a new ZWO ASI224MC camera, which doesn't have a UV/IR cut filter, do I need one?

4 minutes ago, GeoffM54 said:

And now the other bits have turned up

 

Have to comment on the super fast delivery from FLO, brilliant as always.

On 01/02/2023 at 11:39, GeoffM54 said:

The postman brought me this today  Well pleased.  Just need my new scope and I can start doing some serious learning.

And now the other bits have turned up

instead of having a normal hex head like a set screw it is T shaped, with 2 holes in the T to bolt it the dovetails bar with 2 m3 or m4 allen bolts

Where can I get on of these 3/8 screws and the retaining plate for my SA2i dovetail bar.

Well had a good play around with the new to me SA2i, firmware checked, polar scope aligned, Scope and ZWO camera ordered from FLO. Couldn't run to a field flattener yet, budget ran out  That will come later.

The postman brought me this today  Well pleased.  Just need my new scope and I can start doing some serious learning.

Finally bit the bullet and bought an SA 2i, got a bargain on a nearly new used one.  After much research I have settled on an Evolux 62ED for my wide field scope.  My pentax dslr is matched to a very nice asahi takumar 135mm f2.5 lens, which is a nice combination of options. I think I've covered all the bases, so just need to sit on my hands and wait for the mount and ota to arrive.

11 hours ago, Shaun_Astro said:

The 2i is just the pro minus the wedge and dec bar?

I wasn't very clear about my thoughts, I was referring to the new star adventurer GTI vs the star adventurer 2i pro.

So you'd need to get the wedge at a minimum also. The Dec bar does help, but you kind of need a ball head otherwise one always has a portrait view. 

Having spent an interesting couple of hours reading this thread I am in a bit of a quandary,  I was looking to get an adventurer Pro, when they are available,  but do I need to spend that much, the images in this thread would suggest, maybe the 2i is all I need. 

45 minutes ago, Oxize said:

Good choice on considering an Evolux 62ED. I am really happy with it at this moment. With my AZ GTI i can also 60+seconds unguided. But when guiding i can extend that to almost 3minutes.

I think the SA2I is the same, only not GOTO. You need a good polar alignment. Do you gonna use the ZWO 224MC as main camera or guiding? I would take the Pentax DSLR for main camera and ZWO as guidecamera.

That was my plan, the Pentax seems fine for the moment as the main imaging camera.

 

I am considering purchasing the above items as I attempt to improve my imaging skills. I have been using a stellalyra rc6 on a celestron evolution mount (no wedge), and a pentax dslr for imaging. This has been reasonably successful, and allowed reasonable sub 1 minute subs which gave acceptable stacked images. I am hoping the new equipment will allow me to take much longer exposures, both with my dslr and the zwo camera.  Is this a realistic aspiration? I will be using a field flattener/focal reducer.

I think I need to raise this with SVBONY support, I have the same problem on another laptop running windows 10. I think the drivers on the SVBONY site are only for the SV305, all the install instructions seem to suggest the windows default driver is sufficient.

I have been trying to capture some images with sharpcap and an SVBONY SV205 usb3 camera.  I am having problems when I start the capture, sharpcap freezes, and I have to kill the app and start again. the app seems to be fine when viewing the live image, but freezes as soon as I start the capture session, every time. PC is an i7 Asus Laptop with 16Gb of memory, I am using the camera in a usb3 port, so performance shouldn't be an issue. I am running Windows 11 though and this may be an unknown. Anyone else had similar issues?

So,  what I finally ended up with is a Celestron evolution mount with StellaLyra 8" cassegrain scope for visual, and skywatcher adventurer 2i pro to use with my dslr, and a 70mmED SVBONY. Need to get a camera for this but that will have to wait for the moment as I overspent a bit on the other stuff. I have got an SVBONY SV205 planetary camera to use for now.

I will let you know how I get on once I've got everything and tried it out.

Geoff.

On 28/09/2021 at 21:51, Lee_P said:

That's a tough one. I guess you're looking at something like this 80ED and HEQ5 bundle, although that's already over budget. There are lots of upgrades worth considering budgeting for too. If I were in your position I'd be keeping a close eye on the buy/sell section of the forum, and try to snap up a second-hand bargain.

 

 

Hadn't considered that combo, but it is another for the shortlist I think.  Thanks Lee_P.

Right, decision made, two setups are what I'm going for, I've got a bargain on a celestron evolution 6 sct, which I'm going to use for visual, and a skywatcher star adventurer 2i pro with a William Optics Zenithstar 61 II APO and guider, and I can use my DSLR for widefield stuff on it too. 

Well, certainly a lot of things to think about now.  Probably more confused now then when I started. I'll need to have good think about this.  Thanks for all the input.

11 hours ago, Lee_P said:

That's a tough one. I guess you're looking at something like this 80ED and HEQ5 bundle, although that's already over budget. There are lots of upgrades worth considering budgeting for too. If I were in your position I'd be keeping a close eye on the buy/sell section of the forum, and try to snap up a second-hand bargain.

 

 

Hadn't considered that combo, but it is another for the shortlist I think.  Thanks Lee_P.

I am looking at buying a new telescope and mount to start attempting some serious astrophotography. I have a budget of £1500 max.  Do I go for a quality Refractor or Cat, bearing in mind I may want to do some visual observing as well. 

My two shortlisted setups are a Skywatcher 80DS Pro refractor and celestron advanced VX eq mount, or Celestron Nexstar Evolution 6 with Wedge. I already have a modded DSLR, and guidescop/cam, and planetary camera.