Don't need a telescope but need it's mount!! [Archive]

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jsigone

5th of November 2010 (Fri), 22:39

drevilsmom

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 03:47

Very nice!

naddieuk

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 04:24

It's photos like this that makes one realise just how important tracking really is!

mtbdudex

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 04:45

Don't need a stinking telescope but LOVE my mount!!!

Gear: ASGT5 tracking mount, Canon XS (self mod), CLS-CCD light pollution filter, Canon 85mm F1.8 prime lens

Settings: F2.8 ISO 800, 14x5min unguided subs, 6 darks, flats and bias applied.

Software: IRIS, CS4 w/ Noel's tools and Fits Works

Content:
IC 1311
NGC 6883
NGC 6888 / Crescent nebula
IC 1318 / gamma Cyg nebula
NGC 6914
NGC 6960 / Filamentary nebula / Lace-work nebula / Veil nebula
IC 5068
IC 5070 / Pelican nebula
IC 1340
NGC 6992 / Network nebula / Veil nebula
NGC 6997
NGC 7000 / North America nebula

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/Astro/ngc7000-6888widefield85mmirisE01_13e-1.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/Astro/ngc7000-6888widefield85mmirisE01_13e.jpg

Very nice.
I've been thinking as my next "step-up" a DIY Motorized barn door tracker on stable CF tripod (low $ approach) , now you have me re-thinking that vs your CG-5 Computerized Mount (http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=16&ProdID=92) for $750.

But I really have to know this; how much do telescopes really stink?? p-u :lol:

archer1960

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 08:20

Could you post a larger picture? This one's awfully small. The POTN recommendation is 1024 px on the largest dimension.

tkerr

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 09:37

Could you post a larger picture? This one's awfully small. The POTN recommendation is 1024 px on the largest dimension.
The link below the picture will open up the larger version of it.

Very Nice, lots of detail and a lot of DSO's

Celestron

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 11:49

Very nice WF ! You've done your work well !

jsigone

6th of November 2010 (Sat), 23:13

Very nice.
I've been thinking as my next "step-up" a DIY Motorized barn door tracker on stable CF tripod (low $ approach) , now you have me re-thinking that vs your CG-5 Computerized Mount (http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=16&ProdID=92) for $750.

But I really have to know this; how much do telescopes really stink?? p-u :lol:

You can get the ASGT for about 600 shipped if you shop around. The benefit isn't just tracking but able to press a button and go to the target you want. But if you just had a $100 then the motorized barn door will be a great fit. If you shop around more on the used market you will find them cheaper. I got mine with a C6 SCT and $120 lens kit fot only $650. I sold the SCT for $300 so I got a steal on the mount and EP kit

BTW i love my telescope and images I can pull from it but it has limitations because of the weight w/o guiding. With the body/lens on a dovetail I can get 10min subs. I haven't tried pushing beyond that because any more I'll have to drop to ISO 400 to correct histogram placement. I will try it, but looks like another few cloudy nights here.

Thanks you everyone for the comments:D

drevilsmom

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 08:50

So do you go through the polar alignment, and then do the in-mount alignment with your calibration stars before you remove your scope and place your camera? Or do you just roughly visual align without doing any of that?

jsigone

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 11:10

With a telescope mounted, point it roughly to polaris but I try to get it close so when I do the All Star Alignment I don't have to turn the knobs much.

Do 2 stars in East, 3,4,5 star in West and 6th star back in the south east. I find if I do a giant 360* and picking stars that way my alignment and go to is pretty darn accurate. After the 6 star alignment, slew it to a bright star either directly east or west and polar align mount to that star. If I were to use the telescope, I'd power down and re do everything. But for camera and lens 1 round is enough. While still pointed at that bright star I remove the counter weight first then the telescope. I have my DSLR mounted on a spare dove tail I for got $13 and drilled a hole to get the tripod threads of the XS. No counter weights needed for just a camera/lens combo.

I have my laptop USB cabled to the XS so I can remote control it. Since pointed to a bright star I can use it for Live view through the laptop and make sure its focused well. Then point to the target, frame with shot 10-20sec subs at ISO1600. Once framed right, I'll set the camera to ISO 800, F2.8 and start my intervals. After I few shots and like what I see, I'll go in side watch TV for an hour then come back to see the results. Either added more shots to the intervals or take a few darks while the temp is changing.

drevilsmom

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 11:23

I may get to try this tomorrow night, weather willing. My spare dovetail allows for my camera to attach to it just fine. I'm worried about getting it to frame the way I would like, because I had problems with that while piggybacking. I was reluctant to turn the camera in any direction but straight forward. I'll be interested to see how this does, because I used to use a borrowed mini-GEM that I literally bolted to a spare tv stand and just generally pointed it towards Polaris. I could get 2-3 minute subs off of that, so I was surprised to be only able to get 30 second subs off the piggyback. I'd be happy with 1-2 minute subs at 50mm, and if I can get longer, even better! Your shot is beautiful, and I can't wait to give my modded 20D a whirl on Orion. I'm really wanting a widefield with Barnard's Loop.

jsigone

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 11:57

I got really lucky that the framing matched up the way I wanted. But I order a tripod ball head to mount to the spare dove tail so I can adjust framing as needed in the future.

With the 50mm, set to F3.2 to F4 to get the field nice and flat in the corners and you should be able to get 5-8mins!! I can get a max of 7mins with the 85mm before I can see some tailing when zoomed in. But I played it safe at 5min so I can have 100% keepers.

welshboy

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 15:37

What a very nice capture of the cygnus area.Lots of details there nice and clear with you.Mark

drevilsmom

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 20:05

Just out of curiosity, what ball head did you order? I'm looking to get one, but I'm not sure what to buy.

jsigone

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 20:49

spent a lil more then I wanted to but figure this has to be stable platform as well. Went with the Manfrotto 496RC2 same ball head that many of the AstroTrak users have. Rated at 13 lbs, my simple 2.5lb setups will not move

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660321-REG/Manfrotto_496RC2_496RC2_Compact_Ball_Head.html

drevilsmom

9th of November 2010 (Tue), 21:05

So just need a 1/4" screw from the bottom of the dovetail to screw into the bottom of this? That's all? I can SO handle THAT! And the price isn't THAT bad, either. You have been a WONDERFUL source of information, and you have no clue how much I appreciate it!