Quote:
Originally Posted by Aussiearcher
Hi All
1st post. I live in Charters Towers NQ, and am not an astronomer by any stretch of the imagination, but do enjoy the celestial shows nature puts on - got some nice pics of the total lunar eclipse, Venus transit, viewed the absolutely awesome TSE in Cairns with some of my family, and planned to go to FNQ for this annular.
Have to say the richness of info shared here was of critical assistance.
However, I now need to drive my brother from Darwin to CT, and can't depart earlier than 1:00p Thursday 9 May, but this does present another opportunity to see the eclipse.
The concentricity of the centreline view appeals to me, but I can't see us making the distance that night.
Therefore, I took Joe's suggestion and had a look at Dan Fisher's talk about being at the fringe.
We plan on overnighting at Renner's Springs, which is approx 32 klm sth of the northern limit.
Questions:
will the difference in view/photography options be worth backtracking 25klm or so to get closer to the edge? (how close is best?)
what are suggested settings to also try and photograph Bailey's Beads? Should I expose as per BB during the TSE and hope the sun doesn't blow the whole shot, or will i need to occlude part of the lens (sun) with OD5 solar film? (fully aware of the eyesight preservation issues involved with this) Will probably use Eclipse Orchestra again.
Will be using 5D2 with 24-70 for enviro shots and 40D with 70-200 & 2x teleconverter for closer shots (or 100-400 if i can borrow it)
Regards
Greg
|
30 kms is a long way from the limit. The things that are special about observing from close to the limit are best when you are only a few kms inside. In my experience. So it's up to you if you want to back track - I wouldn't.
Bailey Beads are best photographed with 500 - 1000mm, At least the best shots I ever got were at 1000mm. That said I have got them well with 400mm too.
I am still coming to grips with digital - yes I know. So far my best advice would be to try and expose for the BBs then under expose by three stops - and then bracket your shots with 3 stops either way. This has worked okayish with my camera. It's tricky though.
I am actually taking an OM1 with 1000mm and film - 'cause that's all I've got with that much telephoto reach. Just hope the shutter still fires !!!