[bluescope]

Originally Posted by Alchemy

its working fine. just wait for the detail with longer exposures.

what distance is mpcc from chip (noticed corner stars in 2nd pic) i think from memory 55mm is needed.

id love to have a go with one of these.( someone should rent them for a weekend like you can do with cameras).

Keep posting. cheers AL

Thanks Al

I haven't done any measurements as yet but I think you're right ( 55mm ), I just wanted to get the camera going while we have some good weather ( showers coming soon ) so I just threw it together.
You'll have to buy one, pre-owned ofcourse, then you can have fun every weekend. There are a few around for sale with people upgrading to ST4000XCM. For me it's a question of just starting out in a dedicated astro camera so I didn't want to lay out too many dollars. The ST2000XCM is still selling new for $4,300 from ATS but you should be able to pick one up s/hand for about half that, which I think is reasonable for a cooled astro self guiding unit.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Garyh

Looks like you are going to have heaps of fun Steve with your new camera!!
A great start and colors and focus look nice!
Maybe Santa might bring me something like that one day!!

Cheers Gary

I was quite surprised at the colour balance when I saw the shots, I haven't manipulated them, straight out of CCDOPS. You'll have to write a letter to Santa.

Originally Posted by gbeal

Good work Steve. More exposure, like Al said. If you have the guiding sorted now then try some 5 minute or longer subs. Be prepared to muck with the guiding settings until you get it right, but I can tell you nothing better than sitting back while the gear does everything for you.
I too am using the MPCC and read somewhere that about 55mm is needed, so used a spacer to get about that much. Maybe you need to try that as well.
Gary

Thanks

I'm working on the guiding side of things but had a **** of a night last night, I think I was too tired from the previous night's effort and just couldn't get anything together. I've also got a fair bit of reading/absorbing of manuals to do, this is a very different animal to my SLR's and Range Finder's !

Originally Posted by Ric

Lovely images Steve, a fine start with your new camera.

Looking forward to seeing more as you move up the learning curve.

Cheers

Thanks Ric

It's a steep curve from where I am standing but I'll get there .