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  #41  
Old 29-08-2018, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Camelopardalis View Post
Yeah that’s a challenge, although I find a tiny Bahtinov mask works wonders
I'll give that a go, thanks Dunk.

Took a random test shot just pointing up roughly near zenith, no polar alignment, 30 seconds of Ha. Focus is not great (just adjusted until stars weren't big fuzzy blobs) but it contains a recognisable Cat's Paw, Lobster, Lagoon and Pipe Nebula. I'll call that success for tonight...
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  #42  
Old 29-08-2018, 08:47 PM
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I'll give that a go, thanks Dunk.

Took a random test shot just pointing up roughly near zenith, no polar alignment, 30 seconds of Ha. Focus is not great (just adjusted until stars weren't big fuzzy blobs) but it contains a recognisable Cat's Paw, Lobster, Lagoon and Pipe Nebula. I'll call that success for tonight...
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  #43  
Old 29-08-2018, 10:07 PM
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Is it going on a bard door tracker?
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  #44  
Old 30-08-2018, 05:44 AM
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Is it going on a bard door tracker?
The modern, non-DIY, equivalent... a Star Adventurer.

I built a barn door tracker once, Kevin, but I'd rather forget my experiments with film cameras
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  #45  
Old 30-08-2018, 08:07 PM
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A bit bummed out at present. Despite looking perfect on paper, the camera + EFW + Geoptik adapter doesn't seem to give the correct metal back distance. It clouded up before I could determine if the distance is too short and can be fixed with a thin spacer or to too long and I'm looking for a new adapter...
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  #46  
Old 30-08-2018, 08:34 PM
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A bit bummed out at present. Despite looking perfect on paper, the camera + EFW + Geoptik adapter doesn't seem to give the correct metal back distance. It clouded up before I could determine if the distance is too short and can be fixed with a thin spacer or to too long and I'm looking for a new adapter...
Hmpff, spacing problems How much time do we spend getting that right ? Still, once sorted all good from there
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  #47  
Old 30-08-2018, 08:36 PM
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Hmpff, spacing problems How much time do we spend getting that right ? Still, once sorted all good from there
Yes, it's a bit of a curse Rodney
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  #48  
Old 31-08-2018, 08:12 PM
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The Geoptik Nikon adapter is too thick and the ZWO Nikon adapter is too thin. Will try the ZWO Canon adapter which looks closer to the expected dimensions and see how that goes.

First pic shows the pimped up Star Adventurer. Second pic is the view from our uppermost deck. Guess where the SCP is? Right behind the tallest tree
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  #49  
Old 31-08-2018, 08:19 PM
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Is that the Sigma Art 50mm?
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  #50  
Old 31-08-2018, 08:22 PM
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It’s odd that you’ve got all ZWO gear from camera to lens adapter and the spacings are that wrong. Not like you’re mix and matching anything. They didn’t send you the non-EFW version of adapter, did they?
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  #51  
Old 31-08-2018, 08:52 PM
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Is that the Sigma Art 50mm?
Yup.

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Originally Posted by troypiggo View Post
It’s odd that you’ve got all ZWO gear from camera to lens adapter and the spacings are that wrong. Not like you’re mix and matching anything. They didn’t send you the non-EFW version of adapter, did they?
Yes, all ZWO stuff and it's definitely the EFW version. I can get the lenses to focus, but infinity is apparently only a few metres away. With a spacer of a couple of mm I can probably get it to work OK.
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  #52  
Old 02-09-2018, 03:03 PM
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peter_4059 was kind enough to lend me some bits and pieces, including a couple of metal spacers that he machined himself. I'm getting pretty close now after quite a bit of experimentation.

The Geoptik Nikon adapter appears to be just too thick to work with my ASI1600 and EFW. In theory it should be the right size and it measures correctly, so perhaps the specs for the ASI1600 and/or EFW aren't accurate. The EFW measures correctly but I have no easy way of checking the camera back focus spec of 6.5mm (and it's not clear whether this includes an adjustment for 1/3 the thickness of the camera window and sensor cover glass).

The ZWO Nikon adapter looks workable but needs a thin spacer to get the lens distance correct. It may not be a coincidence that my adapter is actually a bit thinner than the specs say.

I also have a Canon adapter to play with if I can borrow a couple of suitable lenses.

What fun

Cheers,
Rick.
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  #53  
Old 02-09-2018, 03:48 PM
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How have you found the correction so far?
I’ve heard some conflictive reports as to its coma correction. As 50mm lens’ go it’s one of the best out there.
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  #54  
Old 02-09-2018, 03:53 PM
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How have you found the correction so far?
I’ve heard some conflictive reports as to its coma correction. As 50mm lens’ go it’s one of the best out there.
Hi Colin,

I'm now using my Zeiss 100mm f/2 for testing. It has a manual aperture ring and a focuser designed for manual use. Once I get the spacing sorted out I'll go back to the Art 50mm.

Cheers,
Rick.
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  #55  
Old 03-09-2018, 06:40 PM
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Still some work to do, but starting to look OK.

M20 region with 100mm f/2 Zeiss lens. HaRGB: 30x30s Ha, 12x15s R/G/B (23 mins total). Captured from horrible inner Brisbane skies, so the colour data is especially awful:

https://www.astrobin.com/full/364659/0/

Milky Way with 21mm f/2.8 Zeiss lens. Ha 43x30 (21.5 mins)

https://www.astrobin.com/full/364660/0/?nc=user

Cheers,
Rick.
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  #56  
Old 03-09-2018, 08:33 PM
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The Ha is looking pretty good Rick.
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  #57  
Old 04-09-2018, 04:43 AM
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Out of curiosity, does the spacing matter if it is still able to focus?
The spacing I have with my QHY163M is close but not perfect and I am curious as to whether I should be trying to get it exact.
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  #58  
Old 04-09-2018, 06:23 AM
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The Ha is looking pretty good Rick.
Thanks, Peter. Getting there!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atmos View Post
Out of curiosity, does the spacing matter if it is still able to focus?
The spacing I have with my QHY163M is close but not perfect and I am curious as to whether I should be trying to get it exact.
There's a (thin) region where the field is flat and a region where you can get infinity focus. They overlap but they're not the same. But if you're getting good stars in the centre and corners at the same time I don't think there's any need to tweak further.
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