The Croc's Eye Galaxy (M94) - I'm Such a Bare Bones Imager!

[Chris]

I'm not entirely sure why I tend to skip some of the imaging aids which are designed to actually make life easier? I do get a buzz from finding objects and imaging them the old way, but maybe I should drag myself into the 2020's lol Does anyone else tend to keep things simple? (or more difficult depending on how you look at it) 

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Lockie

[RobertI]

Great result Chris, informative and entertaining as always. Sounds like the the 462 is a great cam, although the sensor makes even my Lodestar look large!   Nothing wrong with doing things the hard way by the way. Your next challenge is to image without electricity. 🙂

[carastro]

Crikey, I thought I kept things basic, but you are even more basic than me.  

I DON'T USE-

Use computerised mount control - I use the handset.  (I have and can use EQMod but find handset easier). 

I don't use PHD2, I still use PHD1 (because it works just fine, so why change?)

I don't use plate solving.

I don't automate my observatory, it's all done manually.

BUT I DO USE;

GOTO, I'd shudder at the thought of trying to manually find my target.

When I used to use a DSLR I had a 12V electronic substitute battery so I didn't have to stop to re-charge or change the battery. 

Once all up and running, I retreat indoors and access my laptop in the observatory remotely.

Carole 

 

 

 

 

[Chris]

48 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Great result Chris, informative and entertaining as always. Sounds like the the 462 is a great cam, although the sensor makes even my Lodestar look large!   Nothing wrong with doing things the hard way by the way. Your next challenge is to image without electricity. 🙂

Many thanks, and er? well Rob, I've 'sort of' already done that 🙃 Does a shot of the Moon with an old SLR back in 1997 count? It was sort of in focus! 😃 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Lockie

[Skyline]

Your not the only one Chris.

I find the old way the best way, even though it's harder.

[Chris]

1 hour ago, carastro said:

Crikey, I thought I kept things basic, but you are even more basic than me.  

I DON'T USE-

Use computerised mount control - I use the handset.  (I have and can use EQMod but find handset easier). 

I don't use PHD2, I still use PHD1 (because it works just fine, so why change?)

I don't use plate solving.

I don't automate my observatory, it's all done manually.

BUT I DO USE;

GOTO, I'd shudder at the thought of trying to manually find my target.

When I used to use a DSLR I had a 12V electronic substitute battery so I didn't have to stop to re-charge or change the battery. 

Once all up and running, I retreat indoors and access my laptop in the observatory remotely.

Carole 

 

 

 

 

Hey Carole, I've not always been quite this basic I promise 😀 

Other than the guiding I used to image very similarly to yourself with the good old hand controller. Although I must say the Explore Stars app of the EXOS2 PMC 8 is actually very good compared to previous wifi controlled mounts I've tested out. It works well when I do use it  

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Lockie

[Chris]

16 minutes ago, Skyline said:

Your not the only one Chris.

I find the old way the best way, even though it's harder.

There is that visual astronomers buzz you get when finding an object manually yourself  I'm very intrigued by plate solving though. I'm going to try NINA and one of the many plate solving software programs out there, although I probably should get guiding up and running first. 

 

[RobertI]

2 hours ago, Lockie said:

Many thanks, and er? well Rob, I've 'sort of' already done that 🙃 Does a shot of the Moon with an old SLR back in 1997 count? It was sort of in focus! 😃 

Definitely counts Chris! Though I feel a Monty Python sketch coming on ..... “...camera, well I call it a camera, it was more like a shoe box with a pinhole in the side....”. 😆

Anyway don’t want to divert from your super vid. 👍