A most frustrating night

[daz]

Spent playing with the DSLR with no success at all! Hrmph!!

I was that annoyed, I packed up at 1am instead of just observing. Watch out - there'll be a heap of questions coming!!!!

[FLO]

I packed up at 1am instead of just observing...

Imaging can do that, if you are not careful....

[geppetto]

Hands up who hasn't had nights like that

What went wrong Daz?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

No hand up here!

So what went wrong? Focussing is my main problem, that and polar aligning and wrong exposures and pointing it in the wrong place and focus eroors again and forgetting to change the ISO setting and not being able to reach the camera and everything else.

But I do like spending an hour not imaging anything, for some strange reason, provided that I think that I am imaging something.

Waiting for questions.

Captain Chaos

[daz]

TBH I don't know what to ask....

So, let me ask, what components do you have in the optical path when using the DSLR? (I was using the f/6.3 frac last night)

Now, I expect the answer depends on what you are imaging, so let's go for M31 (as I miserably failed to do last night!)

[CELESCOPE]

hang in there Daz hehehehe , i will be getting my canon 350d next week , so will be like you starting from scratch , so maybe i will be able to sort it mate i will be using it with the ED80, so will let you know my set up when i get going , but in the mean time , hang in there it will come ,

Rog

[lunator]

Daz

I give any advice as I know less about imaging with DLSR than most but keep going it will come good.

As a suggestion why not try some bright doubles (you knew I was going to say that ) as they should be easy to see on the LCD so you know they are focused.

I know that when you've mastered the DSLR the images will be great.

Cheers

Ian

[Albireo380]

Hi Daz,

I am no DSLR expert, but spent last Winter wrestling with mine.

The easy way to start is to piggy back on your 'scope and take a few widefield shots first (Start by focusing on a distant street light, then transfer the DSLR to the piggy back - the focus should now be good for widefield at infinity). You could also try the same wiuth the DSLR at prime focus.

You could also mate the DSLR to the back of your 'scope - prime focus. You may need an extender tube to achieve focus on your ED80 - my WO Megrez needs this - a simple way to get this is to take the lens out of your Barlow and just use the tube to give you more "back focus". Start by looking at something big and bright - say the Moon. Take a series of shots and you will start to guage (over a couple of sessions) where the best focus point is. For the Moon, I find ISO800, at between 1/800 - 1/200 sec is best - dependant on phase of the Moon. Go for a little under exposed, as when you Registax several images, it tends to get brighter.

Hope this is helpful.

Tom

[moondog]

Daz

I've just started using the 350D and like you I find it's a steep learning curve.

Here's a useful link :

www.cloudynights.com/documents/rebel.pdf

MD

[OXO]

Hi Daz,

Just a little exersize for you get Vega into ya scope's Fov (8") using a 40mm or as close too EP, pop ya T-Adapter/Camera into the focusser then look through the finder of the Camera and focus as best you can. Check your focus by looking at your pic using the Play button(Left hand side on the 300D not sure on the 350d) zoom in and see if your focus is right if not just turn ya focusser and small amount and try again until yourhappy with the focus.

The camera should be set at ISO 1600 for this and an exposure of at least 10 secs.

When you find the focus mark on your focusser tube were focus is achived by using the canon at prime focus so next time out the process is much quicker.

For M31 i would go too ISO 1600 and 30 secs exposure also try and get 30 frames at least. If you have plenty of time try 30x30 at iso 400 and 30x15 secs at ISO 1600 this will help with any noise issues and also maybe help not burning out the core.

Good Luck.

James

[daz]

Blimey!

Thanks Guys

The moon I can do, the faint fuzzies I can't!!! I'll be trying all tips and tricks tonight.

Ian - I'd have put a bet on you nominating a double - but it's a good idea

[Astroman]

Frustration? Oh my. Try this; my first four trips up Kitt Peak to observe, just with a group of amateurs to begin with, we got fog, clouds, rain and hail, in that order. These were outings spaced 6 months apart. Finally managed clear nights the next 4 outings with the same group, which made me totally forget the first four. 8)

Next, scheduling actual telescope time purposely timed to miss the busy season. Read, iffy weather timing. Telescope time finally granted on the .9 meter after 6 months trying. Clouded out. The good news is, once you're granted time, it's easier to get time later. Bad news is, you can still be bumped or clouded out or miss an observing window, all of which have happened.

At least we amateurs have control over our scheduling. If it's clear, run outside! 8)

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Its clear, just not dark at the moment, and not due to be dark for another two hours!

I was chatting to my 8YO boy this evening about how we used to look at Saturn after he got in from school and before his bath at 7PM. We used to get at least an hour in, now he doesn't see the dark.

If it wasn't for the lovely weather that we're having, I could go off summers.

Captain Chaos

[Rob]

Sorry to hear of your frustrations Daz... hence why I'm not an imager!.

Keep going though pal, you will make it I'm sure.

All the best

Rob

[daz]

I shall persevere but try and not get wound up by it as well!!

Last night, just did the visual - I had forgotten how much I love it.

Report in the appropriate section

[GordonCopestake]

I think summer should be the season to sell off all your gear and buy new in readyness for the winter season hehe. I can see why universities have the summer off. If you were doing astronomy research what use would these 6 months be?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

If my student days are anything to go by, the same as the rest of the year, skiving, drinking and sleeping.

Captain Chaos

[Astroman]

I can see why universities have the summer off. If you were doing astronomy research what use would these 6 months be?

Kitt Peak closes during the summer monsoons, (now). They do maintenance on all the equipment. They're run by universities with grants from the gov't. This is actually about my favorite time to visit there. Most of the "Suits" are gone, and just the nuts-and-bolts guys are there. Sometimes, I get lucky, if you know what I mean, with backstage tours and "Oh, by the way" questions. Been too busy to visit this year so far, but in the past, it's proved educational, to say the least, spectacular to say the most.

[daz]

Note to self: Don't visit Arizona during Summer!

Have you had rain Astroman?

[Astroman]

Had a squall move through around midnight Sunday. Left less than .5 cm in the gauge. Had nearly 2 cm a couple weeks ago. Gee wizz. Cloudy, hot and humid defines "monsoon" here. Temps in the low 40's, humidity in the 40% range. We generally stay indoors. Much like Winter in Toronto. :shock:

[Greg]

TBH Daz it's easier than using the Toucam...Honest.

Hardest part is the focus...Once you've got that sussed it's easy..Honest.

Well I say easy...a bit more straight forward than the Cam!!

I find it more rewarding and quicker...

Stick with it and experiment with different ISO's and shutter speeds. I stick mine on the back of the ED80 or 120 frac using a T mount and adapter, then use a barlow if required.

Or....buy an eyepiece adaptor ring and stick an eyepiece on the front..

Let us know...

Greg