Getting back into imaging after a long break

[DaveS]

Yes, I have something similar here. Friday, though, might be NB only, or possibly 2 hour NB followed by Luminance going to check the moon altitude in Stellarium

[Gina]

Think I have sorted out all the optical parts, spaces, adapters, etc. for the dual imaging rig.  To do is a new 3D printed mounting and a second control/capture electronics box and contents.  This will not happen for several days as there are higher priorities.  The ROR automation project is proceeding gradually...

[Stub Mandrel]

24 minutes ago, Gina said:

Think I have sorted out all the optical parts, spaces, adapters, etc. for the dual imaging rig.  To do is a new 3D printed mounting and a second control/capture electronics box and contents.  This will not happen for several days as there are higher priorities.  The ROR automation project is proceeding gradually...

Did you get the email today from Rigid Ink saying they are no longer going to sell filament?

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Yep, but it doesn't surprise me as although they make\made good filament, it was always more expensive than some of the other 'better' makes e.g. Prusa (even with the shipping costs)…..

[Gina]

Yes, I did - and the Facebook video.  Gutted, as I've found nothing to beat their filament.  However, they are not the only supplier and they are expensive.  ColorFabb in The Netherlands do economy ranges of PLA and PETG with are almost as good and a lot cheaper though limited in range of colours.  Their full price filament retails at about the same price as rigid.ink (not helped by the exchange rate).

[Stub Mandrel]

8 minutes ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

Yep, but it doesn't surprise me as although they make\made good filament, it was always more expensive than some of the other 'better' makes e.g. Prusa (even with the shipping costs)…..

I've always been bit sceptical to be honest. None of the filament brands 'make' their own feedstock, even if they extrude their own filament (which I doubt) .

[Gina]

rigid.ink's 1kg spools seem rather small compared with ColorFabb's standard 2.2Kg and they also sell 4.5Kg and 8kg spools.  With the rate I get through filament the bigger reels are a benefit.  Yes, I know RI do 3Kg reels of some filament.

[Gina]

3 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I've always been bit sceptical to be honest. None of the filament brands 'make' their own feedstock, even if they extrude their own filament (which I doubt) .

As I understand it, rigid.ink brew their own concoctions and extrude it.

[Stub Mandrel]

11 minutes ago, Gina said:

As I understand it, rigid.ink brew their own concoctions and extrude it.

They must get the basic plastic pellets & dies from the same sources as everyone else though?

[Gina]

Not sure they do - have to ask the boss - Ed Tyson.

[Gina]

Some time ago I tested a new filament for them - woodfill - this was supposed to be their own formula.  Apparently they have a chemistry team (probably just one or two people)

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, Gina said:

Not sure they do - have to ask the boss - Ed Tyson.

They would need one of these if they did! I can't see Ed cracking and fractionating oil then polymerising it on site.  Plastic feedstock comes from people like BASF and DOW, usually as granules or pellets for further processing:

[Dr_Ju_ju]

…. and that's why RI is getting out of the filament business, as BASF\Dow etc. are getting into the market, thereby cutting out the smaller producer etc....

[Stub Mandrel]

3DP is becoming mainstream.

To be honest, it's frustrating waiting for the day when I can pick up a kilo or two of PLA at the supermarket.

[fozzybear]

36 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

3DP is becoming mainstream.

To be honest, it's frustrating waiting for the day when I can pick up a kilo or two of PLA at the supermarket.

next to the filo pastry me thinks....

[Davey-T]

On 04/09/2019 at 21:25, Gina said:

My all sky camera is on the books but lower priority.  When it was working it was very useful for watching for clouds.  Currently the remote focus isn't working and the new case needs finishing.  One plan I had for a deluxe ASC has been scuppered by ZWO discontinuing their ASI 385MC-Cool camera.

I think Altair Astro still do a GP3 Cam 385MC cooled.

Dave

[JamesF]

I feel sure I've seen the occasional ASI385MC come up here or on AB&S, too.

James

[Gina]

I'll keep a look out.

[Gina]

Set up for imaging tonight with a different 105mm f2.8 lens but this one seems poor compared with the other one.  Still showing condensation but very slowly clearing.  

Thought I'd image the NAN as I haven't done much on that.  Here is a 30s Ha image using ROI set to 2500x2300px stretched and resized in GIMP.

 

Edited September 6, 2019 by Gina

[Gina]

With an image this bad I think I might as well give up for tonight! 

[DaveS]

Gods, is that the best focus? If it is, then it's a rubbish lens.

[Gina]

Yes, autofocus applied and that was the best!!  HFR of 2.37 but it looks a lot worse than that.  Think I'll try a manual focus.

Edited September 6, 2019 by Gina

[DaveS]

That *does* out of focus to me, and I can see a lot of fixed pattern noise, but that may just be the exposure.

[Gina]

Made a small improvement with manual focus but the stars are still around 10 pixels wide.

[JamesF]

Worth trying manually with a bhatinov mask?

James