Hooked...

[Bonamy]

Hello,

I've always been a keen photographer, but had no idea you could use pretty basic kit to explore the skies.

I think I'm addicted.

I love the combination of technology and art. I have a technical background, and certainly enjoy playing with anything digital.

Having read around the subject, I hope to take a phased approach to learning. Broadly along the following lines.

Start off by using my existing equipment with some small low-cost add ons (dew heater, bahtinov mask, power supply etc).

I've also made some progress with short exposure fixed tripod based stacks, and repurposed my Celestron 127 SLT mount to help with realignment, but keeping exposures short.

My next advance was to connect my Canon 5D MK IV to Backyard EOS which has really helped with focus/alignment and managing the run plan with such short exposures.

For amusement I have been working on a 3D printed wedge to see if I can convert the mount into an EQ mount. Which is basically where I am up to.

I had my first failure last night. Just couldn't get the mount to track and align in EQ mode. I suspected the batteries in the mount, and further research looks like it confirms my thoughts. I was using rechargeable batteries, and the mount is very sensitive to voltage drop. But being my first attempt, I was sure it was my mistake and not equipment failure (still could be both!).  Live and learn.

If I were to summarise, this is my mid term plan:

- Get SLT 127 working as an EQ mount and take some longer exposure tracked subs with my Sigma 200mm mounted to the Canon 5d MK iv

- Add a small guide scope to the mount to play with guiding and to see the effect on the results. See if I can push the focal length to 400mm.

- Modify my older 60D to remove the IR filter and do some before and after tests

- Purchase a Skywatcher Star Adventurer or similar and build a lightweight portable tracked rig. Will start with my existing lenses and reuse the guide scope from the SLT rig.

Then I'll pause and take stock before continuing.

I like the thought of pushing all the equipment to its limit before continuing.  I think I'll learn more that way.

Anyway, hello all, feedback welcome.

Bon 

 

 

 

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome.

[banjaxed]

Hi Bon, welcome to SGL, this hobby is very easy to get hooked on 👍

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[tomato]

Welcome to SGL, I think you have a well thought out approach to imaging, it is tempting to go for the high end stuff before maximising what you can do with your existing kit, the former is  the route I took, but fortunately I do now have the time (if not the clear nights) to try and get my skill level to catch up.

+1 for the Star Adventurer, the ability to image relatively easily from a dark site can really boost the quality of the images captured and thereby maintain your enthusiasm for this hobby.

Clear Skies

[Tomatobro]

5 hours ago, Bonamy said:

- Purchase a Skywatcher Star Adventurer or similar and build a lightweight portable tracked rig. Will start with my existing lenses and reuse the guide scope from the SLT rig.

You just cannot go wrong with the Star Adventurer as a  basis to start Astro imaging. Having owned one for a while its easy to see why millions have been sold worldwide.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi Bon, welcome. 

[Sunshine]

Welcome to SGL!

[sloz1664]

Hi Bon, and a very warm welcome to the lounge

Steve

[Bonamy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I'm slightly worried about asking this question, but when does the compulsion to check the weather forecast as soon as I wake up wear off?

[Laurieast]

27 minutes ago, Bonamy said:

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I'm slightly worried about asking this question, but when does the compulsion to check the weather forecast as soon as I wake up wear off?

It's compulsery to check http://clearoutside.com/ as well as the weather, every morning, before coffee. There is no known cure.

[Mr Spock]

Hi Bon, welcome to SGL 

[Floater]

Welcome. Hope everything goes to plan and that you have lots of fun - that’s the most important part. 🙂

[Tiny Clanger]

On 13/03/2021 at 08:23, Bonamy said:

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I'm slightly worried about asking this question, but when does the compulsion to check the weather forecast as soon as I wake up wear off?

It wears off when you find how quickly it changes, and leave checking the forecast until a couple of hours before sunset ... and then keep sticking your head out of the back door after sunset just in case things change unexpectedly for the better ... 

Welcome !

Heather

[Stu1smartcookie]

5 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

I'm slightly worried about asking this question, but when does the compulsion to check the weather forecast as soon as I wake up wear off?

Its a British illness ... a necessary evil ... the problem is it soon starts affecting your mood lol ... and i find myself gazing out the window in the office , in the middle of the afternoon.  

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire  🙂