First light Sol ED80

[Nico13]

Well while getting ready for Venus and having just made my Baader filter for the ED80, see here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=91099), I managed to grab a couple of shots today before those ever present clouds of late blocked it out again.

Having never done any solar imaging before so it was a matter of shooting off various exposures to see what I needed, took about a dozen shots and then took the camera inside to have a look at what I had.
When I went back out the clouds had beeten me to it :mad2:

Oh well was pretty happy with the last couple of shots for my first effort, at least I have a better idea where to start from next time.
Here's one of them, cropped a bit.

ED80 with Field flattener, Baader filter Pentax K5 @ ISO 100 1/2000 sec.
Raw converted in Capture One and finished in CS5

[jjjnettie]

Nice work Ken. :)
You'll need to work a bit on the focus, but for a first one, you've done well.

[Nico13]

Thanks JJ, yes the focus is a bit tricky as what looks good through the viefinder isn't always correct. Those jolly clouds are a bother, didn't give much time today.

[jjjnettie]

The seeing plays havoc with the focus too. On a bad day you'll only get one out of 20 photos that's actually a keeper.

[Steffen]

A little bit soft but very promising! I'd say keep at it.

I've sworn to myself I'll never let myself be drawn into the back hole of spending, despair and more spending that is astro imaging, but the upcoming Venus transit has got me wavering. Maybe I'll try a DSLR shot or two.

Has anybody tried viewing/shooting through the Baader solar continuum (540nm) filter in addition to the solar film? It is supposed to enhance contrast and reduce atmospherics (which I can believe), but how much light does it steal?

Cheers
Steffen.

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Ken

Another session and you will be all over it! Looking forward to your Venus pics!

[Nico13]

Thanks Steffen,
Yes I had little time on the day to retry after the initial test shots due to cloud so hope to get some more practice in before the day.



Thanks Matt,
I really looking forward to doing the Venus transit and I think I've got the gear setup as best I can so a little fine tuning of technique needed and hope for some clear skys.