Vixen Polarie

shelltree (Shelley) · #1 08-08-2014, 08:35 AM

Hi all,

I'm sure there have been similar posts before. I did try and do a forum wide search for any posts to do with the Polarie and found bits and pieces...but not really enough info!

I have done research elsewhere and even downloaded the manual to have a read through. All seems pretty straight forward as far as I can tell, use the polar sight hole to align the Polarie to the South Celestial Pole (I'm sure that will take a bit of trial and error

) then point to where you want to shoot, set the usual setting and the speed of the tracking and start shooting (but please correct me if I'm wrong

).

I'm thinking the Polarie will be a great beginner's tool for getting into astrophotography. In the past I've simply been using my wide angle lens using 30 sec exposures or doing hours of time lapse to create astro videos. I really want to expand my horizons with something reasonably straight forward and versatile so I can take it wherever I go!

Just really wanting to gather everyone's experiences using the Polarie as I'm pretty much set on getting one and if they've noticed any draw backs, things they didn't like about it etc.

Am thinking of purchasing from www.astroshop.com.au.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Octane (Humayun) · #2 08-08-2014, 08:58 AM

All I can say is: do it!

I bought the road/traveller pack from MyAstroShop, as well.

If you can, see if you can get the polar scope. It's expensive, but, within 5 minutes of setting up, you can do 15 minute exposures at 17mm without any evidence of trailing.

My only gripe is the load that it can handle. Those of us with big cameras (full frame systems) are limited to probably about the EF 135mm f/2L USM as being the maximum weight. But, this is OK; it wasn't designed to be a replacement for an equatorial mount or something like an Astrotrac/Starlapse.

So far, I've only used it with the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 II and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. No dramas.

H

traveller (Bo) · #3 08-08-2014, 09:20 AM

The other option is the ioptron sky tracker, it has a slightly heavier payload capacity and fits directly on my old Manfrotto 190 tripod.
The skytracker has the polar scope as standard and a great optional ball head. I have also seen a counter weight system for it, which looks interesting http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...99&ns=1#detail
Bo

shelltree (Shelley) · #4 08-08-2014, 09:27 AM

Cheers H!!!

I would love to be able to do longer exposures without visible trailing so will definitely consider the polar scope. It sounds absolutely baffling with all its features but I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out with a heap of tutorial videos and lots of reading!

At the moment I'm still stuck with my 60D until I can afford to make the switch to the D800. I figure though, while I can't afford to upgrade my entire system, I can get some quality polarie time in and learn the ropes of the setup

As for weight, as you say, it wasn't designed for that and if I do really decide to step properly into the astrophotography world, there will be a bunch more equipment I'll want to buy

Until then, the Polarie seems like a wonderful start

Cheers for the info, Bo! I'll do a bit of research on the Ioptron as well and see what I can come up with!

Octane (Humayun) · #5 08-08-2014, 09:37 AM

Oh, it's pretty easy! Put your quick release plate on the 1/4"-20 standard camera thread on the bottom of the Polarie. Put the unit onto the tripod. Point your tripod in altitude at the south celestial pole (about 26 degrees south up here in Brisbane/Sunshine Coast). Remove the compass attachment at the back of the Polarie, insert the polar scope and line up the four trapezium points of Octans on the polar scope. Remove polar scope carefully (it's a magnetic system, which is nice) and screw the compass attachment back on to the back. Screw the ball head on to the face of the Polarie. Orient the ball head so the base plate is roughly horizontal, place your camera on the plate and screw the ball head to the camera. Point your camera on the ball head which attaches to the face of the Polarie to where you wish to image, switch on to sidereal tracking and you're good to go.

H

shelltree (Shelley) · #6 08-08-2014, 09:42 AM

So simple!

My only issues with lining up Octans is that often times (especially at this time of year), it's behind trees by the time it's dark enough to observe. At least for backyard imaging (should be no problems when I make a trip somewhere!)

From what I've read so far on finding the South Celestial Pole, if you follow the vertical line of Crux down through the centre and draw a line down from in between Rigel and Hadar as well, the cross section is very close to the SCP. This will probably take some trial and error to perfect...

Being on acreage is great (on a dark night even at a quarter moon, I can see wisps of the Milky Way!) but there are far too many trees blocking my view sometimes

Octane (Humayun) · #7 08-08-2014, 09:50 AM

Shelley,

In that case, get the polar metre attachment, too. It has a built in compass and bubble level.

You set your altitude on the polar metre (26 degrees south). The unit slides on to the top of the Polarie in the hot shoe-like gizmo.

Point your tripod roughly south and pointing towards the south celestial pole. Make minute adjustments to your tripod until the bubble on the polar metre is level and you're pointing to true south (magnetic south minus declination). That will get you pretty close to the pole without ever needing to see Octans. The advantage of this method is that you don't have to slide the polar scope in/out and thereby ruining your alignment.

H

shelltree (Shelley) · #8 08-08-2014, 09:57 AM

http://www.astroshop.com.au/products...p?id=MAS-022A2

Is that it?

Very nifty indeed!

Would it be worthwhile still getting the Polar scope as well as the polar metre? I'll still be able to use the polar scope if I go to a dark site but from home the polar metre will have to do!

Octane (Humayun) · #9 08-08-2014, 09:59 AM

That's the one.

Yeah, I got the whole lot.

Being able to use the polar scope when you can see the south celestial pole is so easy. Using the polar metre takes a bit longer, but, obviously has its benefits for when you can't see the pole.

shelltree (Shelley) · #10 08-08-2014, 10:01 AM

Fantastic!

Thank you so much H, you've been an immense help!

I have a feeling I might be buying one this weekend.....

Octane (Humayun) · #11 08-08-2014, 10:01 AM

Oh, if you do go the polar scope route, make sure the unit is tracking at sidereal rate when looking through the polar scope trying to align on Octans!

Also, make sure that when you're imaging that you're not running at 1/2 rate, but, actually sidereal rate. One night, I wasn't paying attention, spent a good while getting my polar alignment right, and, for some reason I must have turned the dial, switching modes. I came back 15 minutes later to find I had eggy stars. I accidentally flipped to 1/2 rate and not sidereal rate!

H

Octane (Humayun) · #12 08-08-2014, 10:03 AM

You're welcome.

I might actually set mine up in the backyard next week when the Moon is in a favourable position and get some images at zenith. It's been packed away and hasn't been used since I moved up here!

H

shelltree (Shelley) · #13 08-08-2014, 10:07 AM

Hahaha, I have a feeling I'll be making all kinds of awesome mistakes to begin with! Thanks for the heads up!

Good idea

Always good to get back into it after a dry spell. I feel like its been forever since I went on a trip somewhere for astrophotography. So much harder now being single, it's not so easy (or safe) to drive to the middle of no where and sit in the dark

alocky (Andrew lockwood) · #14 08-08-2014, 10:16 AM

Here's a link to an image I managed at 180mm focal length with the full frame D800 - well in excess of the quoted limit. The key was careful polar alignment - I use a 2" extension tube from my box of adapters over the drive ring on the front of the Polarie and hang the camera and lens off this by the strap while I'm using the polar scope. This allows the flexure in the tripod and head (I use a manfrotto geared head ) to be accommodated. On a good night it can get 2-3 minutes per sub frame.
Cheers,
Andrew.

http://www.astrobin.com/47941/

Octane (Humayun) · #15 08-08-2014, 10:32 AM

Andrew,

That's a great idea! Any idea where I could get one of those adapters?

H

shelltree (Shelley) · #16 08-08-2014, 10:35 AM

Goodness gracious, that's a stunning shot Andrew! A really great idea too. I will keep it simple for now and gradually work my way up as I make progress with the setup

Poita (Peter) · #17 08-08-2014, 10:47 AM

Hi Shelley, you are welcome to borrow my Polarie if you want to try one before buying one.

I can't get out much these days so you are welcome to borrow it for a month or so.

Cheers

-Peter

Poita (Peter) · #18 08-08-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Andrew,

That's a great idea! Any idea where I could get one of those adapters?

H

Any 2" extension tube works a treat, I do a similar thing to account for the weight.

shelltree (Shelley) · #19 08-08-2014, 10:54 AM

Hey Peter,

Thank you so much for the offer

How would we go about getting it to and from each other though? I seem to be a fair while away from you!

I think I'm pretty much set on the Polarie now. I have been for awhile but it was great to get some helpful info as there were a few things that truly boggled my mind on how it worked (okay, more than a few!

). But if there's a way to use one beforehand, to be positively sure, I'm all for it!

alocky (Andrew lockwood) · #20 08-08-2014, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Andrew,

That's a great idea! Any idea where I could get one of those adapters?

H

Thanks H and Shelly for you kind words! It's just a 2" extension tube for a 2" focuser I had in my box of bits, you could just as easily use a short length of pipe from bunnings with a couple of suitably placed set screws in one end. When I get home I'll post a picture. If you have a 2" Barlow you could unscrew the lens and use the body of that too.
Cheers,
Andrew