orly_andico Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I've ordered a couple of those LED tracing panels from Amazon (15 quid a pop) because I was tired of using an iPad as a flat panel. However... these tracing panels are edge-lit and have a significant blue cast. I'm not sure how much effect it has on the quality of the generated flats. Anyone have experience or better alternatives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elp Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 (edited) Get one which is an led array, not edge lit (mine could be edge lit, I don't think it is as the lights even across the area). Even lighting, you have to use it on the dimmest setting and diffuse the light (I use perspex), works reliably. This is similar to the ones I've got: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultra-Thin-Portable-Sketching-Animation-Stencilling/dp/B09V85C2KB/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1MMN9FWIQ61OG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.46MXAIegEtApOy5sWIM8X38Y1HZD2HZW4MN3qz3KkA7khkf_6yOxX_F7hCgHTy38krH0dR5eJmenCkfERpMr5G2YGRO-dY2plqUMIRG7X-SwC1ho5Zzek2SHEBt7wI3Vdl9vUbJGrV9juODYtWz52u8pAefWNmXYxgamG-8XEuGXKcHcq1MaDdOm8Z24z9ItJ-jkyQbPgzjP2ORFObwlIQ.2fPc-z4fdOw0CNhrtoGndvK0zdI2hWYLJfjiIit-w6Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=led+tracer+panel&qid=1719165103&sprefix=led+tracer+panel%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-7 Edited June 23 by Elp 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orly_andico Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 That looks very similar and is at a similar price point as the ones I bought. I’m not sure one can get a backlit panel at this price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elp Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 Probably not then. Ive read some people also use EL tech but I believe some DIY is needed to put one together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldsman Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 Last night I just took sky flats. One of the few pluses about conditions this time of year is that you can use the late evening light. Rest of the year, I use an LED tracing panel with a sheet of Perspex taped to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hals Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 I use an LED tracing panel with three brightness levels. I always put three sheets of white paper over it to help diffuse the light. Never ever had any issues with my flats using this, whichever filters I'm using. The key is to make sure you hit the correct ADU value for your particular camera. For example, my 294MM I always aim for an ADU of around 26000. Works like a charm. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vroobel Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 The ADU value should be around 1/2 of ADU Max. For 16-bit sensors, the ADU Max is 65535, so 1/2 of ADU Max should be e.g. 32,000-33,000, while 30,000-35,000 is also good. The best way to check what is your ADU Max is to clip all pixels which means e.g. a 60s exposure with the scope lit by the panel or a day sky. Some programs inform about the ADU value of the picture. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orly_andico Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 i am using the 3 sheets of paper in front of a 3 level panel. So I guess that’s just fine… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfieGlos Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 I still use an ipad screen with a pure white picture, sat on top of a white-tshirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orly_andico Posted July 4 Author Share Posted July 4 I did a t shirt flat (literally a white t shirt on the front of the scope that was pointed at the evening sky). results seemed identical to the tracing panel with 3 sheets of paper, although ASTAP didn’t complain about the color temperature of the t shirt flats… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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