I was playing around with my thermonuclear DSLR (runs the chip at 35 deg when the ambient is 19 deg) on some objects last night and noticed via Stellarium that Saturn was up.
So, I got out my trusty DSLR televue powermate adaptor and screwed the front element onto the Canon's T ring, then used the excellent feature in Backyard EOS called Planetary which introduces another x5 zoom function. So, technically, I think this is an F125 shot???? Not sure.
Big pixels on the DSLR and pretty shoddy seeing mean that I didnt get many details and there was lots of noise, but I am quite happy that the image scale is quite good compared to the miniscule blip when framing on the DSLR without the TV barlow.....
So, here it is, my first Saturn shot showing the Cassini division (last one the rings were edge on) so I am quite chuffed with that.
A new cooled astro cam is on the shopping list, but until then, what I have will have to do.
Image details:
Target: Saturn
Date: 25th Feb 2012 (24th Feb 2012 UT)
Time: 1:23am ( 14:23 UT)
Location: Kellyville Ridge
Scope: 200mm F5 Skywatcher Reflector on HEQ5 Pro
Camera: Canon DSLR 1000D
Magnification: 5x Televue Powermate, x5 Backyard EOS (capture software)
Frames: 80 stacked from 100 captured
Exposure: 1/10 sec at ISO 1600
Capture S/W: Backyard Eos
Processing: Virtual Dub, PCFE, Registax 6, PS3
Thanks for looking
Cheers
Chris
Last edited by Screwdriverone; 25-02-2012 at 09:24 PM.
Reason: Title Change - added date
I'm a bit green over your image.
I reckon that's a good image! I tried similar shot's with my DSLR through my 16" scope of Jupiter, but didn't come up with anything like that.
Noisy as hell, and not many frames, but as the post says, its a test....
Interesting to see if I could get some results since buying Backyard EOS as the Canon capture utility didnt handle sampling of the live view screen very well, whereas Backyard EOS rocks....
Now I know the scope/barlow combo can do it, I might even try an 18MP attempt using my son's 550D in video mode. The 1000D doesnt do video natively unfortunately, which is why I gave this a go.
Amazing to see what can be done planet wise with a DSLR. It's not like you are flush with light, either, being a 200mm scope. I think maybe even in planetary cameras, the future is CMOS.
Amazing to see what can be done planet wise with a DSLR. It's not like you are flush with light, either, being a 200mm scope. I think maybe even in planetary cameras, the future is CMOS.
-Ivan
Thanks Ivan, some more details would be nice, but there is only 80 x 1/10 sec subs so I cant complain. Quite happy it all worked out and I can at least get a nice sized image, no resampling was done or extra upsizing. Want fries with that?
Cheers
Chris
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Wastell
A very good test Chris - looking forward to your posts.
Thanks Matt, I just need some cooler weather to remove a lot of this noise, oh, and no freaking clouds for a while too, please.
Great stuff. That zoom feature would be handy too.
Funnily enough, I was going to attempt the same thing last night, but the clouds beat me to it. The moon appeared in a hole though so I took a shot at it using the video function on a Pentax K-r camera and did a quick stack.
500mm and whatever the automatic settings are for video!
It would be interesting to try a DSLR with better video functionality, I'll give the planets a go as well if the weather ever clears.
I stumbled over the planetary mode when focusing on a star and thought....hmmm, my powermate adaptor fits into the T ring....next thing you know I was viewing a 25x zoomed version of Saturn instead of a little ringed dot.
Pity it only works for Eos cameras.....glad I bought it!
Just trying to get the 1100d cracking here with it in 720p video mode. Thats a sweet result was it using video mode or the live view mode? I thought the 1000d was live only? Time to save for a 5x powermate here till then its the eyepiece projection to t-tring adaptor
Just trying to get the 1100d cracking here with it in 720p video mode. Thats a sweet result was it using video mode or the live view mode? I thought the 1000d was live only? Time to save for a 5x powermate here till then its the eyepiece projection to t-tring
adaptor
Hi Jay,
Its actually "Planetary Mode" on Backyard EOS capture program (about $25 - but you can get a 30 day trial) which simulates video by allowing you to set exposure length and ISO - in my case 1/10 sec and ISO 1600. and then "captures" video by using its 5x zoom function and the native zoom of my 5x powermate (which has the T ring adaptor attached - unscrew the long part of the barlow). You are right, there is no video mode on the 1000D so this is a good simulated substitution....
Cheers
Chris
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
Amazing what we can do with our DSLR's now.
Yup, JJJ, sime nice moonage to be had with the new 10" dobbie, I see!
