Imaging with a Star Adventurer

[Snooze]

Went out friday night to have my first DSO imaging session for this year. This was also the opportunity to test my new Skytech CLS filter. The target for the night was the double cluster, widefield and close up.

@70mm => 15 x 90s subs

Was a little bit disappointed because I did not catch any Ha from the Heart and Soul.

 

@200mm => 15 x 60s subs

[8472]

10 hours ago, Snooze said:

Went out friday night to have my first DSO imaging session for this year. This was also the opportunity to test my new Skytech CLS filter. The target for the night was the double cluster, widefield and close up.

@70mm => 15 x 90s subs

Was a little bit disappointed because I did not catch any Ha from the Heart and Soul.

 

@200mm => 15 x 60s subs

You'll need a much longer total integration time to get any hint of the Heart and Soul.

Edited October 2, 2018 by 8472

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

On 17/09/2018 at 01:38, Andywilliams said:

I sometimes struggle with framing an object with my dslr on my star adventurer.

I am liking the look of the red dot finder mounted on the dslr hotshoe.

can anyone please give me a link to a reasonably priced purchase of this gear?

Do I need just the red dot finder or is there an added mount piece that I need to mount it on my dslr as you guys have done.

Cheers,

Andy

 

I have an adapter here to attach a standard QR base to a camera hotshoe - https://www.thingiverse.com/Jimmyjamjoejoe/designs

There are also a couple of arca plate to finder shoe adapters too which other star adventurer users might find useful for finder-guiders etc.

 

[dcweather]

On 20/11/2017 at 10:52, Icesheet said:

Here's two of my better efforts so far. Was delighted that I was able to pull out the Horsehead from the Orion widefield. I have a lot to learn but I would not have caught the bug without the Star Adventurer!

 

All these done with a Nikon D3200 and Sigma 70-200mm F2.8. Exposures range from 60-120sec. Typically ISO800-1600 at f4-6.3. The lens really isn't the best but good enough just now.

 

I would not hestitate to recommend it to you!

70-200mm f2.8 are among the most highly rated zoom lenses for general photography across several makes so it may be better than you think although what is good for one may not be the case for Astro I guess.

[dcweather]

On 22/11/2017 at 20:14, russp said:

DSLR with a 200-500mm zoom at 380mm on a SA.

Stoppit ! ?

[Snooze]

Had another go at the double cluster and Heart & Soul. Went for 2min exposures this time @70mm.

 

[Maxrayne]

On 07/10/2018 at 23:18, Snooze said:

Had another go at the double cluster and Heart & Soul. Went for 2min exposures this time @70mm.

 

Nice! What was the total integration time?

[serbiadarksky]

So, anyone tried out the new firmware we made with the new software? Link is above

[Snooze]

6 hours ago, Maxrayne said:

Nice! What was the total integration time?

Total integration time was 1h02min

[Maxrayne]

14 hours ago, Snooze said:

Total integration time was 1h02min

V nice indeed ???

[knobby]

Here's my first serious effort with the SA Mini.

1 hour of 70 seconds @ ISO 400 Nikon D5300 and 105 macro F3.2

Slightly cropped and resized for forum.

I'm still terrible at processing but it's recognisable at least ? Andromeda.

 

 

Edited October 12, 2018 by knobby

[Ken Mitchell]

One from early summer with the SA and 200mm lens

[Thalestris24]

That's pretty awesome for an SA! What camera?

Louise

[Ken Mitchell]

Thanks Louise!

This was with a Nikon d610, 120sec subs with total of 1,5hrs.

Ken

[Thalestris24]

5 minutes ago, Ken Mitchell said:

Thanks Louise!

This was with a Nikon d610, 120sec subs with total of 1,5hrs.

Ken

Dark skies?

[Ken Mitchell]

1 minute ago, Thalestris24 said:

Dark skies?

SQM 21.10 if that helps? I believe that is Bortle 4.

Ken

[Thalestris24]

6 minutes ago, Ken Mitchell said:

SQM 21.10 if that helps? I believe that is Bortle 4.

Ken

That's quite darkish. I'd say I'm Bortle 9  

[Ken Mitchell]

22 minutes ago, Thalestris24 said:

That's quite darkish. I'd say I'm Bortle 9  

Didn't knew that existed ?

This is my last one taken with the TS72 on the SA

 

[Thalestris24]

2 minutes ago, Ken Mitchell said:

Didn't knew that existed ?

I'm not far from the city centre... It never gets dark here and the atmosphere tends to be poor transparency. I can only see a few constellations naked eye

[waruna]

Really nice to see DSO's image from all of you guys. Makes me wanna own myself the setup.

Some post here using Nikon D5300 which I'm planning to buy. Is the model good enough for beginner?

If yes, can you guys help me list down all the 'must have' equipment in order to get started? Coz I believe my current equipment is only good for planetary imaging and brightest objects, not DSO or even nightscapes like Milky Way. So here's the list:

1. DSLR (Nikon D5300)
2. Star Adventurer
3.  
4.  
5.  

 

Beside those 2 items, what else should I add in the list? Thank you in advance experts for your help.

[geordie85]

2 hours ago, waruna said:

Really nice to see DSO's image from all of you guys. Makes me wanna own myself the setup.

Some post here using Nikon D5300 which I'm planning to buy. Is the model good enough for beginner?

If yes, can you guys help me list down all the 'must have' equipment in order to get started? Coz I believe my current equipment is only good for planetary imaging and brightest objects, not DSO or even nightscapes like Milky Way. So here's the list:

1. DSLR (Nikon D5300)
2. Star Adventurer
3. Samyang 135mm lens 
4. Shutter release cable
5. Decent ball head 

 

Beside those 2 items, what else should I add in the list? Thank you in advance experts for your help.

I've put my answers in the quote. 

[waruna]

3 hours ago, geordie85 said:

I've put my answers in the quote. 

Thank you Mr. Geordie,

I've checked market price for item 3-5. New is around $500. That's roughly times 4 in my country currency. Maybe can get those items at 2nd hand price around $200-300, I think.

Thank you sir for your response.

[8472]

If cash is tight,  a vintage prime lens would make a reasonable compromise for the Samyang. 

[waruna]

15 hours ago, 8472 said:

If cash is tight,  a vintage prime lens would make a reasonable compromise for the Samyang. 

Hi Sir,

Yes, budget is quite tight right now. Sorry for this noob question, but what is vintage prime lens? 

Is it achievable if I just use the DSLR stock lens kit for starter?

Thank you.

[Davey-T]

2 hours ago, waruna said:

Sorry for this noob question, but what is vintage prime lens? 

There are a lot of Pentax Super Takumar lenses that are excellent for astro use, they have an M42 thread ( slightly different to a "standard M42 thread ) the 135mm 1.8 is good also the 200mm.

Dave