Complete newbie!

[Rosie14]

Hey so after being intrigued I now have a brasser 76/350 and tried it out tonight, and we need help! 
The lenses it came with are SR4mm, H20mm, 2xbarlow 

Had a nightmare all round trying to get a good view of the moon with a variety of combinations! The weather was clear enough to get a good sight too 

It also comes with a phone holder so images can be taken and shot through the lense and we captured these pics but there must be a way to get a better image using a better combination of lenses? 
 

Thanks! 

[bryand]

If your camera has manual controls on it, try reducing the exposure to get a darker image.  If it's auto-only and has a zoom, try to fill the frame with the Moon so it doesn't see so much black.

Then focus the telescope to get the blackest possible blacks in the crater shadows.

[Ande]

If I were you, I would be inclined to just try the 20mm eyepiece on it’s own. Are you able to get a clear visual if you take the camera out of the equation?

[Rosie14]

15 minutes ago, bryand said:

If your camera has manual controls on it, try reducing the exposure to get a darker image.  If it's auto-only and has a zoom, try to fill the frame with the Moon so it doesn't see so much black.

Then focus the telescope to get the blackest possible blacks in the crater shadows.

To be honest it’s only an iPhone but the new 12pro like I say this is the first night of many and a new hobby! Will give this a go though thank you 

10 minutes ago, Ande said:

If I were you, I would be inclined to just try the 20mm eyepiece on it’s own. Are you able to get a clear visual if you take the camera out of the equation?

I wasn’t the clearest still no no craters have been seen yet just a very bright moon with no real clear visuals but is this because it’s not far off a full moon and craters etc are harder to see? 

[Ande]

You should be able to make out craters toward the unlit side of the moon. But you are right in saying that a near full moon is less than ideal. It can be incredibly bright and harsh on the eyes. A lunar filter will help massively. Like a pair of sunglasses for your telescope.

[Tiny Clanger]

5 minutes ago, Rosie14 said:

I wasn’t the clearest still no no craters have been seen yet just a very bright moon with no real clear visuals but is this because it’s not far off a full moon and craters etc are harder to see? 

I've never used a 'phone to take pictures with a telescope, so can't help you there, apart from suggesting you try the combination out in daylight: the exposure will be different, but at least you can practice getting the focus right. Keep an eye out for the Moon in the afternoon sky too, its much easier  and less frustrating to faff with the controls in daylight.

You are absolutely right that the flatly lit full / near full moon shows far less detail than in phases when you have long shadows to pick out the surface relief.

[Stu]

@Rosie14 welcome to the forum!

Although the Moon was nearly full tonight, there was still a quite extensive terminator showing plenty of craters cast in longer shadows. I suspect you were still quite a long way out of focus in the images you took. The one that looks round is, I think, just showing the rim of the inside of the eyepiece (called the field stop) lit up by the unfocused light of the Moon. It looks like a round Moon but in fact isn’t!

So, I would start with the lowest power eyepiece ie the 20mm, get the scope pointing at the Moon and focus whilst looking through it until you see sharply defined features. Then try again with the phone and see how you get on.

This picture was taken tonight with an iPhone 11Pro through my scope and will give you an idea how it should look. It was with a larger and higher quality scope so probably shows more detail than you will see, but will hopefully give you an idea of what you  should be seeing.

Do come back and ask for more help if you need it.

Stu

[JemC]

Just a friendly warning, If you do take it out during day time to practice with the focus and exposure,

PLEASE DO NOT point it anywhere near the sun unless you have the proper equipment that allows you to do so. ( you only have one pair of eyes)

Regards

James

[Rosie14]

46 minutes ago, Ande said:

If I were you, I would be inclined to just try the 20mm eyepiece on it’s own. Are you able to get a clear visual if you take the camera out of the equation?

This worked and the view was fantastic thank you so much! 

 

11 minutes ago, Stu said:

@Rosie14 welcome to the forum!

Although the Moon was nearly full tonight, there was still a quite extensive terminator showing plenty of craters cast in longer shadows. I suspect you were still quite a long way out of focus in the images you took. The one that looks round is, I think, just showing the rim of the inside of the eyepiece (called the field stop) lit up by the unfocused light of the Moon. It looks like a round Moon but in fact isn’t!

So, I would start with the lowest power eyepiece ie the 20mm, get the scope pointing at the Moon and focus whilst looking through it until you see sharply defined features. Then try again with the phone and see how you get on.

This picture was taken tonight with an iPhone 11Pro through my scope and will give you an idea how it should look. It was with a larger and higher quality scope so probably shows more detail than you will see, but will hopefully give you an idea of what you  should be seeing.

Do come back and ask for more help if you need it.

Stu

Yes as we dropped down to a 20mm we finally saw what you photographed above! The night is still clearing too which is great news! What if any setting changes did you do I’ve got the 12pro tried playing with the exposure but no luck? 
 

thanks guys!

[Rosie14]

4 minutes ago, JemC said:

Just a friendly warning, If you do take it out during day time to practice with the focus and exposure,

PLEASE DO NOT point it anywhere near the sun unless you have the proper equipment that allows you to do so. ( you only have one pair of eyes)

Regards

James

Thanks James it came with a solar filter and plenty of warnings! But not sure if we will try the solar filter still just in case! I guess they are good though? 

[JemC]

3 minutes ago, Rosie14 said:

Thanks James it came with a solar filter and plenty of warnings! But not sure if we will try the solar filter still just in case! I guess they are good though? 

It should give you some nice views of the sun, always check the filter before use to make sure there is no damage or tiny holes in it, If you have a finder scope on your main scope either remove it or keep it covered,

James

[Stu]

17 minutes ago, Rosie14 said:

This worked and the view was fantastic thank you so much! 

 

Yes as we dropped down to a 20mm we finally saw what you photographed above! The night is still clearing too which is great news! What if any setting changes did you do I’ve got the 12pro tried playing with the exposure but no luck? 
 

thanks guys!

Good stuff!

I normally use an app called ProCam 7 (might be 8 now). This gives excellent control of ISO, shutter speed and focus. At this phase I would set the ISO to minimum (50?), and then just play with the shutter speed until there are no over exposed/saturated areas.

Nightcap is another popular app for this but for some reason I prefer ProCam.

[Ande]

Yes, ProCam is the way to go. It offers an awful lot more control for your iPhone camera. I’ve got Nightcap too, but it isn’t as good.  Glad you managed to get some good views of the moon. We are very lucky to have such a stunning, often shunned, target so close.  When the moon becomes less full it will take your breath away, even on a budget

[Rosie14]

Thanks! Any other lenses you can recommend we can upgrade to? 

[Ande]

The BST Stargazer eyepieces are very well regarded without breaking the bank. Just be aware that high power ones require nigh-on perfect conditions for good viewing, as you probably found out when you tried to use the 4mm eyepiece.

Edit: Starguider not Stargazer 😀

Edited December 28, 2020 by Ande