Quote:
Originally Posted by gbeal
If the 400D has the 2.5mm plug, why not visit a Jaycar, or DickinSmith and get one of these plugs, plus the serial plug, and make a lead. That way the software will allow you to make exposures in excess of the 30 seconds.
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That's a great suggestion, gbeal. Thank you! I may do that in the future, mainly because I'm learning that trying to focus through the camera viewfinder isn't an easy thing to do. It's much easier to do so with the software, and as long as my laptop is next to the scope anyway, why not use it to run the whole show.
I purchased a wired remote shutter release today. It has a lock position on it so I can trigger the shutter and lock it open. Despite the 90% moon and the fact that Orion is approaching the horizon at sundown, I still tried some longer exposures of it tonight. I think my mount is PO'ed at me for making it carry my 10" DOB for the past few months and it's not tracking for... well, you know. The best I could get with my camera piggybacked was 1 min. exposures without too much star trailing. I'll work on getting the mount back in shape to carry the 6" Meade that it was built for. I especially like how the long exposure at night makes the trees look like they're turning orange.
My first "more than 30 second" exposure is attached. I'd still be downstairs if the battery in my camera hadn't gone belly up.