Brave new Camera...

[jenchris]

Well as you all know it was clear in Bris tonight for a few hours - and it was dark part of the time as well so I ventured forth and had a look - I decided after a while even though the seeing wasn't terrific that I'd have a snap or two to see how the new camera performed
First tuc47
This is a one shot 19 second at ISO 800 and 19 seconds with the f stop open

[jenchris]

This time I tried M42 - good old Orion
once again this is one shot about 30 seconds at iso800
I've used RAW and done a fast process using the curve in the menu.

[bones]

Well done Jennifer. What new camera do you have? Is it the Canon 450D?

[jenchris]

Yes, I bought it here from a member - IT's a very capable bit of gear and I'm getting used to manipulating it in the dark
I didn't set it up with the remote laptop operation last night, so I just did it with 2 second delay and punched the button

[jjjnettie]

Nice one Jenny.
Not sure how far you wish to go down this path, but.......may I suggest next time, take a bucket load of your short subs. 50 or 60 or even more. Put the dust cover on the scope and take the same amount of darks.
Download Deep Sky Stacker (its free) and stack 'em.
You are going to be blown away by the images you're going to take.
You've proved it with just these single subs that you can do it.

[jenchris]

Believe me this was just a toe in the water - I'm quite serious about trying to get some publishable shots eventually - The learning curve has to be driven by accomplishments - I have accomplished avi stacking - and prime focus single shots so far.
A tiny bit of manipulation so far to try to get a little more from the exposure.
The scope is balanced and collimated - it appears to track ok but I have a wedge which is probably the next thing to get a try when I have a decent expectation of a decent night's viewing.

HEQ5 is probably going to happen next year. And maybe a 100ED or APO if I can afford it the year after - I'm trying to sort out a spot for an obsy too but I may just go for a pier in the garden and a pergola or something for temporary shelter.

So the hook is firmly embedded - you won't believe how happy I was last night when I looked at the pics I took - I actually had a tear in my eye - pure joy - I kid you not.

[jjjnettie]

Oh, I understand totally.
I had tears in my eyes last night too. Only because I'd knocked the mount out of alignment by mistake.

[BLiTZWiNG]

That's awesome Jen!

You know I'm gonna have to start asking questions about your setup now. I googled your scope, and I have to wonder about the focal length thing, given such a short scope. Are those things any good for planets? They look far easier to transport than the dob that I have.

Edit: Holy cow thats an expensive scope! A little outta my price range right now!

[jenchris]

It's kinda heavy - 2000 focal length as it reflects the light inside three times (700 mm tube length)
It has goto and is pretty much sealed so the mirror isn't likely to get filthy really quick - collimation is only done on the secondary mirror and only if there's been an untoward event.

For me it was worth the price as it's trouble free and small enough for me to move easily. It's not so prone to windy days either.
Though I did have to add a weight (1.5kilo) to the front to compensate for the weight of the camera and 2" diagonal
I have a wedge for it but I wasn't going to bother til I got the camera - which I just did so I'll set it all up and take a picture for you
This is how it is at the moment

[BLiTZWiNG]

Certainly looks like a great setup you have there!

Hard to imagine that it's actually 700mm long... they look so short!

I'll stick to building a cart for mine atm, though transporting it is out of the question now. I should have built a case using the foam it came with, but instead used that foam as it was to safely transport it to QLD. If I have to move again it's going to be a lot harder.

[that_guy]

why do you need to have the 2" Diagonal with the camera?

[jenchris]

I don't, it's just a better quality than my 1.25

[that_guy]

cant you just use the 2" T-adapter straight in to the focuser?

[jenchris]

Only if I want to destroy my camera on the forks when I go to zenith

[that_guy]

ooohhh... haha, this is not a known prob with an EQ so i didnt know :P