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Omaroo
15-09-2012, 11:46 AM
An early-stages Milky Way image from last night.

The Polarie is a delight, I have to say. It ran for around 5 hours on a set of batteries that I replaced only because I had another set. The first lot didn't actually run out.

It took two minutes to set up with a dec-corrected compass and inclinometer.

Pretty degraded image to fit into 200k, but you get the idea.

Oh yeah... 300 second subs with no trailing. :thumbsup:
Larryp
15-09-2012, 12:05 PM
Certainly works well, Chris!
Omaroo
15-09-2012, 12:10 PM
Cheers Larry. It most certainly does. I'm wondering how long I'll be able to push for when I set it up properly with a polar scope next week. After that I'm going to construct a counterweight system just to make it even better.
Larryp
15-09-2012, 12:30 PM
You are making me think about buying one!
Omaroo
15-09-2012, 12:45 PM
From what I hear they're selling quite well.
multiweb
15-09-2012, 12:52 PM
Nice - Is that from dark skies?
Omaroo
15-09-2012, 01:09 PM
From the forest Marc. You've been there. :)
multiweb
15-09-2012, 01:10 PM
Cool - shot right up the zenith then. The polarie alignment comes handy with the built-in inclinometer and compass when no line of sight to the SCP.
gbeal
15-09-2012, 07:16 PM
With the 40 Summicron?
Looking good.
Gary
jjjnettie
15-09-2012, 08:12 PM
You've got to be stoked about that Chris. :)
Omaroo
15-09-2012, 08:23 PM
Thanks Nettie :) Yes, It's promising. I really have to learn the new camera's characteristics first. It's very different and not really meant for this. It's a bit of fun though, so I'll persist. You can't beat full-frame for astro - but MFT is catching up very fast. Terrestrially, it's an absolute ripper.

Gary - no, the OM-D with standard 12-50mm kit lens at 12mm (24mm).
Deeno
16-09-2012, 07:15 AM
Very nice!
Off to a good start.
gregbradley
16-09-2012, 10:42 AM
Great news Chris.

I ordered a digital inclinometer and compass off ebay.

I think I'll get the polar scope as well. I am not sure how easy they are to use but Dave's post about being to match it to achemar and something else bright first was encouraging.

How are you going to handle shots with foreground in them?
Layers and do a composite?

Greg.
Omaroo
16-09-2012, 01:40 PM
Cheers Deeno :)

Thanks too Greg. The Polarie has a "1/2" setting, specifically designed to let you fudge this. You slow the star field's rate by half, and induce a half sidereal rate movement in your foreground. Theory is that meeting half way for both you can get away with it for short exposures without over-blurring either too much.

Attached - an example I hurriedly took the other night. This was a quick 75 second test shot at high ISO just to see what would happen.