Optimal settings for planetary photography

[zumka]

Hi Guys,

I was just wondering if you can help out to figure out the optimal settings for planetary photography.

I have Nikon D750 5.97 microns with f/4.7 Skywatcher 10" DOB and Celestron X2 Barlow.

Thank you

[iborg]

Hi


Just checking, are you trying to take single shots? Or video?


Taking video and processing the video file get you much better results.


Philip

[zumka]

Video

[Tulloch]

Hi Daniel, unfortunately that's not a great setup for planetary.

Firstly, your scope is too short in focal length, you will need to get up to f/20 or so for best results (so a 4/5x Barlow will be required). The optimum focal ratio for planetary is about 5x the pixel size of the camera.

Next, the Nikon series of cameras are not great for video imaging either, the Canon DSLR system works almost as well as a dedicated astro camera like the ASI224MC using the Liveview feature, but the Nikon system does not. Using the in camera video stream is not good either, the compression used to make the video screws up the frames and the image quality suffers.

This is how I started in planetary with my Canon 700D
http://www.astropix.com/html/i_astrop/eq_tests/canon_one_to_one_pixel_resolution.h tml
https://kuvacode.com/blog/canon-and-nikon-live-view-quality
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/674714-canon-700d-vs-asi-224mc-on-6-sct-test-two/

If you really want to get into planetary, then you should probably look into a new camera like the ASI224MC or a second hand Canon on ebay.
https://www.bintel.com.au/product/zwo-asi224mc/?v=322b26af01d5

Sorry for the bad news, but you might as well get it up front before spending a lot of time with equipment that is not well suited for the job.

Andrew

[zumka]

Thanks Tulloh,

Ironically enough I have both ASI120MM and Modified Canon T5i that I use for deep space photography.

I wonder if I can utilise my Tamron SP 150-600mm f6.3 lens to use for planetary photography with either of the above cameras

[Tulloch]

Hi Daniel, IMHO the best option would be the 10" Dob (I assume it's a Goto?) with either the T5i for OSC or ASI120MM with appropriate filters. I have no experience with mono imaging so I can't help you there, but have lots of experience with the 700D, it can take excellent planetary images with the appropriate software such as BackyardEOS. Some of my examples are below, note that these were taken with a 6" SCT, the 10" should be capable of much better resolution.
https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/79257-jupiter-july-3-2019-re-coloured/
https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/82212-saturn-30-july-2019/

You will need to add an IR cut filter (that you had removed for DSO) so that the colours will be realistic again and should get a 5x Barlow to bring the f/number up to f25 or so, but this is how I would do it.

Andrew

P.S. I'm also in East Bentleigh, just off East Boundary Rd :)

[OICURMT]

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_suitability