Nikon D40

[Mansnake]

Just wondering if anyone has done any DSO imaging with a Nikon D40 ?

I know canon are probably better with AP but my dad has a D40 and i cant afford a new scope and camera.

[SamAndrew]

There shouldn't be a problem using any Nikon cameras,

The advantage of a Canon is there are more options for PC control and IR filter replacement.

[Mansnake]

What would be the best method of achieving focus ? as the camera hasn't got live view

[SamAndrew]

The finder is too small and dim to get good focus easily, so it's more a case of trial and error, take a shot, increment the focus, take another and repeat. A bahtinov mask will help, and also pick a bright star to focus on (provided you can then find your target with the finderscope)

[astromartian]

I have fairly succesfully but nowhere near the required standard for DSOs. I have a T-ring converter and an IR remote to stop shake but no tracking so I am limited. I totally agree with SamAndrew, it is very hard to get good focus due to size and dimness of the D40 finder.

I've attached my best moon pic. Tried to photograph Mars but too much noise and long exposures came back poor due to lack of tracking.

[Dave]

I use Nikons all the time and don't own a Canon.

Have a look at the results on my web pages to judge if it works or not.

So give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose.

[astromartian]

Any luck with the focus? I haven't tried any astro since my last post with the moon pic.

[Digz]

An alternative to a B mask is a Y mask - literally a mask in the shale of a Y made out of card. Easier to make and has the same effect as a B mask. Use on a bright star or planet and your away. Of course live does help a lot.

[Breakintheclouds]

The D40 will do the job. Look at the link in my sig: the Veil nebula pic and double cluster pic at the bottom of the page were from just a handful of D40 subs each

Sent from my GT-I9100

[astromartian]

If those were done with a D40 then I am mega impressed. What's more exciting is that I am looking for a HEQ5 and noticed you took your pics using this mount. Can't wait now.

On a side-note, do you keep your scope in the obsy? If so, does it not rust?

[Breakintheclouds]

Thanks. No, no rust. There's a little bit on parts of my pilar, but that's from before the obsy was built round it. I use a big bag of silica gel from off of Ebay and that seems to keep damp under control.

[Breakintheclouds]

Oh, and if you're at all into electronics I made an Arduino device to automatically take multiple long-exposure shots with my D40 - by default it can only do exposures up to 30s, so I hacked together an automatic control that uses bulb mode to take a series of exposures at any length you like. Happy to share the design and code if you'd like to make one.

[astromartian]

If you are happy to email it to me then please do I'll PM you my email address, but I probably won't use it until I am set up with the mount etc. It takes me forever to get astronomy stuff organised.

[Breakintheclouds]

In that case, perhaps get in touch when you need it. Just checked and, although the code is nicely documented, the wiring isn't!

[astromartian]

In that case, perhaps get in touch when you need it. Just checked and, although the code is nicely documented, the wiring isn't!

Ok, when I'm all set up then I'll let you know. Long way away at the moment.