First attempt at Solar imaging

[SteveT]

He are my very first attempts.

I used my ED80 with solar filter for one and the rest I used my standard PST.

Each case is used my IS DMK21AU.618 with avi's stacked in RS6 and tweaked in PS5.

I tried different levels of processing for each one, didn't spend much time on them though.

My biggest issue is getting focus with the PST and DMK. I am using the short nosepiece adaptor, which is shoulder less in the DMK so I cannot get the lens any closer to the BF in the eyepiece. I think the is less than 2mm to go before I get focus but my prism will not quite reach focus, I am thinking it just could be set just to far out from the factory as I know other People's PSTs manage to reach focus. In the end I used the lens from a revelation Astro 2.5x Barlow stuffed down the eyepiece holder of the PST, unfortunately it sat just below the surface so I could not attach it in anyway to the nosepiece adaptor on the DMK, it's thread was not a fit in any case, so I ended up using gaffer tape to hold the DMK against the eyepiece tube - less than ideal and not really satisfactory.

If anyone has any other ideas on how to get focus in my setup then I would love to hear, I even thought about cutting about 3 or 4 mm off of the end of the eyepiece holder of the PST to get that extra focus reach but I didn't want to void any Warranty, maybe someone has a spare that they don't want after performing the stage 1 or2 mods???

Anyway, love to hear your thoughts on my attempts with any tips.

Steve

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[SteveT]

These are higher res images that are in my other PST, just to see what diff it makes.

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[SteveT]

Here is the DSLR one..

Anyone have any ideas regarding my focussing challenge above?

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[smerral]

These are really nice images showing a lot of detail, especially in the prominences. the only thing I can suggest for focus is to get hold of a skywatcher x2 barlow - the lens will screw onto the eyepiece holder.

[mdstuart]

Lovely images. I was watching the spot using some 10 x 50 bins by the projection method...I wish I had kept my eclipse shades as I think it would be possible naked eye at the mo..

Mark

[SteveT]

Thanks for you kind comment.

Smerral, when you say the SW Barlow would screw into the EP holder, which bit do you mean as there is no thread in the EP holder of my PST, do you meant will screw into the aperture in the DMK?

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[SteveT]

Hi, I see FLO do a SW Deluxe 2x Barlow which "incorporates a camera thread for photography" is that the one I need assuming it screws onto the DMK directly?

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[Anweniel]

love those prominences!

[smerral]

Sorry Steve, my fault - I meant to say that the skywatcher barlow lens screws off and then can can be screwed onto the CAMERA ADAPTER. I use the lens of a Cemax barlow which also screws off.

[SteveT]

Yep, got it now, does the CEMAX Barlow have any advantages over the SW?

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[smerral]

I think it is slightly better quality and maybe gives a tad more contrast, although I'm not certain it justifies the extra cost - I picked up mine second hand.

[SteveT]

OK thanks for your help, so they both do exactly the same job and fit in the same way but maybe with different quality being the only differentiator.

[JamieW]

Hi Steve, excellent set of images, amazing for first attempts. As for using gaffer tape...

[SteveT]

Thanks Jamie, and it's only £4.99 a roll, should last the whole summer!

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