First post - quality check on noob setup ?

[Unclebigdave]

Hi stargazers,

First - what a great site - I've spent hours trawling through posts here and simply had to join up. you all seem such a supportive bunch !

Anyhow - My setup's quite dodgy, Film canisters and cheap reflectors etc.. but i just wanted to gauge how good a moon shot one can get with this type of setup. and maybe someone can show me a "cracking good" shot with a little more DOF.

here's the dodgy dave setup

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/66/179414357_22e1d6c620.jpg


Heres about the best moon photo i can get from it - 100% croped @ 1920x1080.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3965722052_c09b668ecd_o.jpg

anyhow, any improvements or gear i should look at (on a tight budget - so <$300 is OK)?

Cheers,
Dave:D

[toryglen-boy]

Hi Dave .... welcome !!

what you have is fine for afocal shots of the moon, etc, but spend your $300 on finding a cheap, used DSLR, then with good polar alignment, you could do subs up to about 120 seconds in length, before errors creep in.


enjoy your stay !

:P

[Moon]

Dave
That's a good moon shot for the equipment you have. Keep at it and try to perfect the focusing and exposure time and keeping the mount stable when you take the image.

You can also try to get a collection of all the moon phases and try to do something like this:
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/astrofest/awards/images/DMA2009_Bill_Christie_01.jpg

James

[bmitchell82]

I have to commend you on the Dodgy Dave setup. its blooody gold rust spots and alll!!!!!! reminds me of not so long ago. with a spray and wipped mirror that wiped the mirror off! i battled with that thing for nigh on a year before i cracked it and brough the 10" but then things moved alot quicker!

Keep at it and post every image you take, you will always get feedback on what you might be able to do to make your photos quality!