Joining the Dark Side

[astroron]

I have had my Celestron Ultima 8 20cm SCT now for twenty years and in the past,I did a lot of observing of galaxies in a Visual Supernova search, and in the "Dim Dark Past" dabbled in some Astro Photography using a stuff called 35mm film:rolleyes:

Since I got my 16" dob the Observatory was only being used as an office and store Room with the scope getting very little Star Light:(, as I was using the 16" Dob nearly all of the time:D

At Astrofest 2009 I won a William Optics ZenithStar 66mm F/5.9 Refractor, a beautiful little telescope with a great paint job to boot:D

With the help of Paul (1 Ponders) I have decided to put the two telescopes to good use and get back into Astro Photography, starting with wide field and maybe down the track into "Deep Sky" if things pan out OK.

I hope to contribute some images in the Astro Imaging sections and also in the next Compendium:)

I know I am on a steep learning curve, but with Paul just down the road I think I might do alright:)

Just a couple of pics as to what the basic equipment looks like,( still awaiting some attachments for the DSLR).

Cheers

[strongmanmike]

Welcome to the dark?? nah!! BRIGHT side Ron :thumbsup:

That setup looks quite capable, now for the constant dreaming about and acquisition of boxes of (more) gizzmos to take better and better images :lol:

Mike

[astroron]

Thanks Mike:thanx:your images are something to aim at:lol:

now for the constant dreaming about and acquisition of boxes of (more) gizzmos to take better and better images.

Thats all it will be Dreaming:rolleyes:

[Tandum]

What cameras do you have to kick off with Ron? That looks like a film camera in your images.

[astroron]

Thats my 35mm Minolta SRT 101 which was mounted just for effect.;) but is still usable as I still have a couple of rolls of film in the fridge.
I have my Sony A200 DSLR which I am waiting for a T adapter and other stuff for it
I also have a Meade LPI but will probably go up to a toucam sometime:thumbsup:

[leon]

Good one Ron looking forward to some of your images, and welcom to the Dark Side.

Leon

[astroron]

Cheers Leon:) I just hope the attachments I have ordered come before Christmas:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolle yes:

[Omaroo]

Great to hear Ron! :)

I'm very much looking forward to putting your new efforts into the up-coming 2010 Compendium. :thumbsup: Great setup!

[mithrandir]

Another Minolta/Sony user! I have an XE-1 and an A200 with T-rings for both of them.

[astroron]

Andrew, I got my first Minolta (Minolta SR1S) in 1969) and have had three since then.:)
I don't know how this latest one will do for Astro Photography.
I took some 2 minute Tripod Shots of the Southern Milky and they showed some Amp Glow in the top two corners:shrug:
I hope it is only in the wide field that the amp glow shows up:question:

[astroron]

Chris I was impressed with the last Compendium, I hope the next one is even better:thumbsup:

[leon]

Ron Amp Glow usually shows up in one corner only, well that is from my experience, it wasn't light pollution by any chance.

Leon

[astroron]

Leon It was taken from Paul's(1 Ponders) Dark Site, there was no lights and no Moon.
I just noticed I Might have captured a Meteor? low down in the South:)
The Star's are trailing as that is what I was aiming to do:D

[jjjnettie]

:)Welcome to the dark side Ron.
You're going to have a lot of fun with your set up Ron.
Looking forward to catching up with you soon!:thumbsup:

[leon]

Yep Ron, see what you mean.

leon

[astroron]

Anyone any Ideas as to the cure for the amp glow,:question:mind you this is the first time I have noticed it.:question:

[jjjnettie]

I think an external power supply might be in order.

[gbeal]

Not the halo from the property owner standing behind your camera is it? LOL.
I use (very occasionally) an a700 and haven't seen this glow before.
Gary

[DavidTrap]

Ahhhh - a Minolta SRT 101 - that's what I first used for Astrophotography when I first had a go at high school. Great manual camera with mirror lock-up. Dad had an F1.2 50mm and an F2.8 200mm that I thought had great potential for astrophotography. Only ever got one decent piggybacked photo during my career as a film based astrophotographer, then University intervened. I'll see if I can track it down - had it scanned by the fellow who photographed our wedding - had some flash Kodak negative scanner that he bought during the crossover period between film and digital.

Re the amp glow - have you tried any dark frames. My Nikon DSLRs give similar amp glow, but a dark frame takes care of that. I am using internal batteries, so maybe an external power supply might help me too.

Cheers
David T

[[1ponders]]

Darks Ron ;)

[DavidTrap]

Found my astrophoto.

From memory - and we are talking almost 20yrs ago - this was with a 50mm lens, piggybacked onto a old Celestron C8. The school had some permanently mounted piers on concrete pads. I just put the camera onto the scope, opened the shutter and walked away for 20-30mins. The tracking and polar alignment must have been pretty close!!!!!

This was probably 200ASA print film. I'm still impressed by the detail in the scan of the negative.

David T

[jjjnettie]

Wow David. You must have been absolutely stoked with that.

[DavidTrap]

Ta JJJ,

Problem with film was the delayed gratification - didn't see this until probably two weeks after I took it - therefore I never knew I was onto a winner with polar alignment and tracking that night...

The digital age has changed the way we look at everything - instantaneous gratification is the norm. We now place importance on a camera downloading it's image in seconds. The new SBIG cameras are including an ethernet socket, not just USB - the amount of data and speed are mindboggling.

David

[jjjnettie]

We are very fortunate aren't we. It's bought astrophotography to the people.

[DavidTrap]

Hopefully the instantaneous feedback makes it easier for one to persist with this hobby...

DT

[tlgerdes]

Why does everyone from the "other side" call Astrophotography "The Dark Side". I am with Mike S on this one and think we should call it The Bright Side as we see 100x more than the visually handicapped fellas :P

[jjjnettie]

Because "the dark side" sounds so much better, especially when said in a deep ominous voice.:lol:

[h0ughy]

wow Ron will we see you over near the flag pole this year?

[astroron]

Dave, it all depends if I can get above mediocre:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[jjjnettie]

LOLOL That's never stopped me from setting up over there Ron.

[h0ughy]

that should be easy as its one rung up the ladder from where i am:lol:

[h0ughy]

yep JJJ is better than me so you will be in good company;)

[astroron]

There probably wont be any room for the 16":P
If there any nice comets around suitable for wide field images I just might be tempted:D

[jjjnettie]

You're kidding Dave.:rofl:
. I love your work.