stevebb

Thanks George you are most welcome :)

Many thanks indeed John :) Steve

Hi John, I kept the scope parallel over a long piece of polystyrene and actually performed the job inside a cold shed - so no chance of any dust floating around ;) I was conscious of dust and debris not knowing how old the scope was since new (I part exchanged a DS solar scope for a full package from a delightful gentleman) and there was absolutely no dust or debris that dropped out at all. It certainly is a fabulous focuser though. Best wishes, Steve

Spoke to Ian King imaging, I have never dealt with Ian before, ordered an Ikharus field flatenner / focal reducer and a Moonlite Focuser for my SkyWatcher Equinox ED120 refractor. What a very pleasant gentleman :) Focuser arrived (from stateside) and it was such an easy fit (original unscrewed and new one was an identical thread) I do like the fact that you can rotate the focuser without having to release the tension on the fitting first. Looks fabulous and should easily be able to take the weight of my modded DSLR and even a battery grip too. When wife finds out how much I have spent though I will lose my other arm and a leg :eek: Thanks again to Ian, brilliant service and advice from start to finish. Steve

You are very welcome, I hope to add quite a few more "hands on" beginner guides shortly :) Steve

Here are a few more basic Tutorials I have just written for Polar Alignment and astrophotography - primarily to help a small bunch of friends including myself. They are not all out guides but just enough to get started ... Polar Alignment - Polar alignment tutorial with photographs - for an EQ6 Pro mount but idea should be the same for others Subs & Frames - what are they all about, how to capture them and how to use them BackyardEOS - Basic intro to operating this amazing imaging program for Canon cameras More guides to come .... Steve

(musings from May ......) Well, funds were running low and I could not justify spending another £2k on both mount and imaging camera for Solar work. It broke my heart but realising I could not use my Canon 5DMkII to image what I was seeing through the eyepiece to the same level, it had to go. I picked up quite a package in part exchange, some bits I wont need and will be appearing in the for sales area. Some I might need in the future (QHY-5 camera and IR remote control PS2 controller for guiding scope from inside a warm room !). Also deciding to part with one of the Equinox's as having two (ED80 and ED120) is a bit overkill for a beginner like me. Also obtained a Startraveller 80mm scope in addition which may have a future use in conjunction with the QHY-5 for autoguiding. All this and I still need to learn how to polar align !!! Steve

Welcome to the blog ! At the moment, trying to make the diversion between my main hobby that being photography to my newer one of Solar imaging. Last year I picked up a SolarMax 60mm Double Stacked scope and the views using it have been absolutely incredible. So to be able to capture with a camera what I can visually see through the eyepiece has really set me a challenge and one that unfortunately i now realise I have to save up and get a true imaging system as the DSLR by it's inherent sensor makeup is blocking most of the red end of the spectrum thanks to the IR blocking filter. So a DMK-41 perhaps or similar may be on santa's wish list next year. I also need to take time out and work out how to use Registax and Images plus (and the remote camera interface). If anyone is near Harrogate and fancies a "working BBQ" next time it warms up then let me know :D I also need to revisit York astronomical society, I have only managed a few occasions and they are a great bunch - no excuse really, I just need to get my derrier into gear. Well, not sure if this counts as a blog but it sets me some direction for this next year. Regarding the photography, if anyone is up for a trip out then please get in touch. I am always up for it work permitting. Best wishes and a Happy 2011 Steve