Quote:
Originally Posted by dpastern
I'm sure 40 or 50 10 second shots will be a lot better! And this time around, darks and flats as well. Go me.
Dave
Dave
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Dave, I do not think more of shorter shots will be much better..
There is no need to take much more than 10-15 shots.. but it helps a lot if they are longer.
As for reticule, why don't you try to improvise something in the meantime?
Actually, you do not need it, your camera with some software (for example, Crosshair.exe by Joe Smith.. or Al's
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=21798 crosshair) will be quite adequate, in combination with camera control application which downloads and displays image on the screen ( Focus assist works with Canon, I am not sure if it works with Nikon,
http://www.dslrfocus.com/, there was a freeware version available).
There are some methods described elsewhere on IIS, but all of them basically follow drift alignment method: You are taking images of the same star every couple of minutes, with the help of screen crosshair you see where the star is drifting, and you adjust the polar axis up or down, left or right until there is no drift.
When this is done, you simply start imaging.
And, do not forget other advice here, particularly those related to repeatability of your setup.. Someone hammered into the soil three 1/2" waterpipes 15-20cm long , and the EQ mount legs are supposed just to be inserted into those pipes.. repeatability is more than adequate, provided you do not dismantle the tripod.
EDIT:
I just checked,
http://www.xmission.com/~jstanley/focusassist/ FocusAssist does not work with Nikon.. only some Canon models :-(