Celeste

After many years away from astro, due to having cancer and getting frustrated at not achieving anything half decent....my partner and I went to Kelling star party this last week. I started out trying my newt and Atik again, getting nowhere and annoyed with myself. I almost threw the camera in the bin. I couldn't get colour from it, or nebulosity with it...I was tearing my hair out trying to figure it out. I spoke to a guy from Atik, who were at Kelling, and he was also scratching his head as to what could be wrong.  

We passed by the Altair stall, and after many ummings and ahhings, I decided to get a tri-band filter, as we found that might help. After a few more trips around the vendors stalls, I went back and asked about a used scope they had for sale. It was one they said they had used for display and for themselves I believe. Its a 72 EDF, at a VERY attractive price. I couldn't say no, and I thought try something different, see what happens. I got a dew band for it, as dew was a killer this year, I took it back to our pitch, then realised I would need the flattener as well...so off we went back to Altair who were packing up. They dug out the boxes to find me a flattener, They were all so fantastic and helpful, even with us going back several times lol. 

I set it up straight away, and we had some lovely clear skies that night. I did my usual PA, but didn't bother aligning. I was really in a CBA mindset lol. I sent the scope off to the bubble, focused and set the Atik off for a 30 sec test shot and WOW. My jaw dropped. FINALLY! I had something. I could see nebula, and stars....and colour! I was silently squeeling to myself lol. I then went to the Crescent nebula, and started a run of 3 minute subs, I managed 40 subs before I got too tired. I didn't manage to do any darks, bias or flats. But I was happy finally getting something, anything! 

Anyway, if you've read this far, thanks lol. I am just so happy now to have an image to show, it's not award winning by any means, but not too bad for saying I've been out for years and forgot how to do it. Here is my little version of the crescent nebula, my partner ran it through Starnet++ and it makes a world of difference.  It's noisy as hell...way overdone but I don't care lol. I can't wait to see what else I can do with this little scope now. I also need to email Mr Atik man and thank him for letting me chew his ears off lol. 

Tich and I are still up for going, given no restrictions are put on us. I've heard an announcement is being put out today? Fingers crossed for all of us. 

20 minutes ago, carastro said:

I just spoke to Kelling, and they said that they are expecting it to go ahead.  So unless things change it's still on.

Carole  

Fantastic 👍 

Just popping by to see if Kelling is still going ahead, and it appears so 🙂

Has anyone spoken to Kelling about it? Are they happy for us to be there, as we are a group booking? We have just been away for a few days and the campsite we stayed at said they weren't taking any group bookings at all. Just thought it might be a thing no sites taking on groups.

But if all is well, see you all there, clear skies 😀🪐⭐

Ah such a shame, I have never made it to one SGL yet. Only just made my first ever star party at Kelling this year. But safety must come first. Now Tich and I have a 2kg chocolate fudge cake to get through lol. We have some flooding ourselves here near Leics, and with rain forecast for the weekend, it might be the tipping point to send the rivers over the banks. Stay safe everyone.

Hello peeps, very long time no see lol. Due to many issues (getting cancer and major surgery) I haven't used any of my kit for ages. It was feeling lonely lol so I booked to go to Kelling, I ended up going with Tich. It was quite a wash out, so Tich and I have decided to come to SGL. We both managed to get the time off work, and we have booked pitch 7 Kingfisher, there will be cake, so feel free to pop by for a cuppa and some cake. I don't know anyone, so it will be good to meet some of you there. Oh just been reminded I met Dave Eagle (I was stalking his quark waiting for gaps in the clouds haha) Many thanks to him for letting me look. 

There's some lovely images in here, we should be proud of our 1st attempts

Here's my naff 1st attempt at a DSO......M13 (noticed this is quite a favourite with newbie imagers....wonder why?) This is a SINGLE 30 sec sub, Starlight MX7C using AA3 for capture and process......the rest are far too blurred (naff mount)

Thanks for all the help and info, i'm not done yet as I need to buy the filter and a lens cap, I won't risk damage to the CCD.

but it does block ir, confirmed by trying to change channel with the filter over the remote lol

lol

It's ok I will buy THIS filter, unless you more knowledgable persons can tell me where it's cheaper

Will Sharpcap work on an XP system? I want to use my el-cheapo laptop for imaging outside (not too upset if it gets wet or damaged) Does the eyepice part need a lens on it at all or can it be left open? Won't dust get on the CCD? I also didn't see the IR/UV filter on Morgans til just now I swear I have lost my marbles!

OMG it worked!! WAYHEY one happy bunny thanks a billion for the help and patience

Now to go figure out how to disect the cam and place the eyepiece replacement in

Lol ok, started the cam, backed up tried to install the 900 binary file, it came up with a box saying check green bar and that said sucess, but when I closed the dialogue box it says Sorry could not get binary file in the green box....did it work?

Ok I got it installed, got the binary file but it tells me:

It seems that the cam is not in preview mode by another application - This may cause the reading registers to be very slow and unreliable. Click OK to ignore this message and proceed ro click cancel to abort.

What do I do?

Wcrmac....then I gotta find SPC900NC binary file, this would be alot easier for newbies like me if the links and files were available in one place instead of a bit here, a bit there and something over there

Looking for the next download now...all I get is link after link after link each with a 'download me' button...non of which is what i'm needing...this sucks!

Ok it's installed, but it says Philips PCVC750K ...That's nothing like SPC880

Bah I can't make much of this, I have a notepad up, it says:

Installation is for Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000,

; and Windows Codename Whistler build 2296.

[Version]

LayoutFile=Layout.inf

signature="$CHICAGO$"

Class=Image

ClassGUID={6bdd1fc6-810f-11d0-bec7-08002be2092f}

Provider=%PName%

DriverVer=10/01/2002,5.2.3790.0

[ControlFlags]

; All PnP devices should be excluded from manual AddDevice Applet list

ExcludeFromSelect=*

[Manufacturer]

%philips%=Philips

[DestinationDirs]

DefaultDestDir=11 ; LDID_SYS

; Delete old Win95 and "Detroit" update drivers

Phil.CopyDrivers.NT= 10,system32\drivers

Phil.CopyExtDll= 10,system

PhCam.CopyHlp= 10,HELP

Phil.CopyFilter= 10,system

;================== PVCV630K / PCVC640K / PCVC650K ===============================

[Philips]

%Phil730.DeviceDesc%=Phil730,USB\VID_0471&PID_0310&MI_00

%Phil740.DeviceDesc%=Phil740,USB\VID_0471&PID_0311&MI_00

%Phil750.DeviceDesc%=Phil750,USB\VID_0471&PID_032c&MI_00

And it carries on like that to the end and turns into a different language ...I wish I had paid the 2.49 for Morgans to flash it for me but I didn't see that option before. I put the webcam in the XP laptop but it didn't recognise it...error installing....me and tech don't really get on

Hiya, found the file to download but all I am getting is a word document file? No drivers?

Thanks for the link, it only covers the flashing which I am trying to do now but where is the INF file to download off the Morgans site? I can't find it, can I just install the cam as is or do I NEED the INF file?

I am due one of these cams soon, is there ONE post that condenses all the info RE flashing, modding and then using these cams? 18 pages is alot to read through! One single 'How to...' post would be perfect

Ok thanks will steer clear then

Hi all sorry to be a PITA on this subject, but this thread is VERY long I haven't managed to read it all (skimmed over) We are just getting into astronomy and would love a webcam capable of not only showing us all what the scope is seeing but taking pics and movies and this cam seems to fit the bill. My question is, this cam (SPC900NC) is on ebay at a price of £22.95 +PnP or as a bundle of cam, adapter, IR filter for £49.95.....is that a good deal?

Thanks

So far I have found the forum to be very friendly and helpful Thanks for the info and help recieved so far