John K
22-10-2006, 02:12 PM
This thread could belong in the begginers or observing sections (feel free to move it guys) but with no planets to view at the moment I had my first deep sky astrophotography experience last night and this morning from Terrick Terrick NP (approx 70 kms North of Bendigo) by piggybacking an old Fujica film SLR w/55mm f2.8 lens and Fuji Xtra 800 film on my 12.5".
It was also my first deep sky observing session in several years so double the fun and went on a sunset to sunrise visual ticking rampage through both winter and summer Milky Ways taking a 2 hr nap just before midnight and living life on caffaine and energy drinks all night.
Battled with the wind, power supply issues, dirt, dust (it's dry as anything up there!), fumbling gear in the dark and not to mention people with spotlights shooting at things in the distance and off course the excitement of getting my film developed (today!).
Intresting stuff! defenitely need to get the alignment issue sorted as I don't know much about drift aligning yet (mmm...lazy more like it actually) so I simply levelled my mount and pointed it directly South with the help of a compass (I think the eta Carina shot is the one that shows my poor alignment best) and it seemed to track ok (by my low planetary web imaging standards).
Other than the SCP star trail shot which was 4h 15mins at f5.6, all others are 10 mins at either f/2.8 or f/4.
Colour balanced and Curves adjusted in Photoshop.
Comments and advice welcome. (And yes, I could easily get hooked on deep sky photography!)
John.
p.s. 360 degree views down to almost to horizon levels at Terrick Terrick, awsome!
Question: Can wind vibration cause the star trails in the eta Carina Shot? or is this simply my poor alignment? The other shots were taken a few hours before and I had a harder time trying to guide so surpised when the Eta carina shot came out like that but was battling wind gusts at the time.
It was also my first deep sky observing session in several years so double the fun and went on a sunset to sunrise visual ticking rampage through both winter and summer Milky Ways taking a 2 hr nap just before midnight and living life on caffaine and energy drinks all night.
Battled with the wind, power supply issues, dirt, dust (it's dry as anything up there!), fumbling gear in the dark and not to mention people with spotlights shooting at things in the distance and off course the excitement of getting my film developed (today!).
Intresting stuff! defenitely need to get the alignment issue sorted as I don't know much about drift aligning yet (mmm...lazy more like it actually) so I simply levelled my mount and pointed it directly South with the help of a compass (I think the eta Carina shot is the one that shows my poor alignment best) and it seemed to track ok (by my low planetary web imaging standards).
Other than the SCP star trail shot which was 4h 15mins at f5.6, all others are 10 mins at either f/2.8 or f/4.
Colour balanced and Curves adjusted in Photoshop.
Comments and advice welcome. (And yes, I could easily get hooked on deep sky photography!)
John.
p.s. 360 degree views down to almost to horizon levels at Terrick Terrick, awsome!
Question: Can wind vibration cause the star trails in the eta Carina Shot? or is this simply my poor alignment? The other shots were taken a few hours before and I had a harder time trying to guide so surpised when the Eta carina shot came out like that but was battling wind gusts at the time.