My very first shot at photography ...

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

Ok, so go gentle on me, i have been a visual observer since i was around 14, although i have never given too much thought to astrophotography. Dont get me wrong, the results are stunningly beautiful, but it always seemed like a huge amount of effort ... anyway, i thought i would try ..

I know, its the moon, but surely that must be everyones first pic?

well, here it is, complete with a pic of me, and my scope.

so please ... i know there are som REAL experts on here, go easy on me!

[Tilt (Michael)]

Oh dear, now you've done it. Get set to spend every spare dollar you have

So what are the details of the moon image? Camera ect?

Michael

[desler]

Duncan,


Why would anyone be hard on you! We all have to start somewhere, and we all want to get to different places in relation to our hobbies.

Keep posting and learning and having fun, oh and spending lots of cash! Great image!

Darren

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's your first? Looks good to me. Keep at it. There's no turning back now

[Garyh]

Good one Duncan! Moon is always a good starting point to get the feel of things! You would have lots of extra rtars after the last shot! LOL

[Liz]

Great shot Duncan .... with what and how did ya do it?
New scope looks great!!

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

thanks for the encouragement.

i just held my Fuji camera up to a 40mm 2" eyepiece that i was using at the time, look at the screen on the back of the camera and took the shot !!

although yeah, no i fancy getting a refractor with an EQ mount and drive, and seeing what else can be done


thanks for the kind words everyone

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Gee we've got some good looking fellas on this forum.
An excellent first image Duncan.
Can you take videos with the camera too?
If so, you should zoom in on Saturn and capture some avi's. Put them through Registax and you'll be surprised at how well they'll turn out.
I used to barlow my 12.5mm ep and butt my old video camera up to it and managed to capture some beaut pics of Jupiter with the GRS and transits etc etc.

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Gee we've got some good looking fellas on this forum.
An excellent first image Duncan.
Can you take videos with the camera too?
If so, you should zoom in on Saturn and capture some avi's. Put them through Registax and you'll be surprised at how well they'll turn out.
I used to barlow my 12.5mm ep and butt my old video camera up to it and managed to capture some beaut pics of Jupiter with the GRS and transits etc etc.

now your making me blush !!

yeah, it takes movies, actually, i never thought of that, what a great idea!

if its clear tonight, then i will give it a go

[Quark (Trevor)]

Well done Duncan,

It really is amazing what can be done with just holding the camera to the eyepiece. This is the first step of a whole new field. I am sure you will really enjoy the challenge of exploring what you can image with your scope.

Congratulations on this effort.

Regards
Trevor

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

[QUOTE=toryglen-boy;420928]now your making me blush !! QUOTE]
Mission accomplished!

A couple of handy hints for afocal imaging with a dob.
You will find that you need at least 3 hands to do this. But as most of us only have 2, you will find that your first few attempts will be frustrating.
But with practice you will be able to...
1. use one hand to guide the dob
2. use the other hand to hold the camera steady
3. use the other hand to focus the scope.

For best results adjust the scopes focus NOT the camera's.

Happy shooting!

cs
Jeanette

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

again, thanks to everyone for the encouragment

Why do i get the impression i am about to spend a bucket load of money, and make Kevin Rudd very happy with appropriate use of the stimulus package

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

now your making me blush !!

yeah, it takes movies, actually, i never thought of that, what a great idea!

if its clear tonight, then i will give it a go

Goes with the Red Eyes
Not bad for the first time

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

Originally Posted by astroron

Goes with the Red Eyes
Not bad for the first time

thanks fella

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Well done Duncan.
Aint nothin wrong with just imaging the Moon.
I enjoy it very much.

Geoffro.

[spearo (Frank)]

Duncan,
he he he he .... commiserations... you're addicted !
welcome to the self-help support group of fellow addicts....
Moon shot is a great place to start and your first pic is quite nice,
print it off and hang it up proudly.

Despite JJJ's comment, I think its a shame you were born with red eyes but what can you do...

Keep up the good work, look forward to seeing more of your images
frank

[that_guy (Tony)]

[QUOTE=jjjnettie;420943]

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

now your making me blush !! QUOTE]
Mission accomplished!

A couple of handy hints for afocal imaging with a dob.
You will find that you need at least 3 hands to do this. But as most of us only have 2, you will find that your first few attempts will be frustrating.
But with practice you will be able to...
1. use one hand to guide the dob
2. use the other hand to hold the camera steady
3. use the other hand to focus the scope.

For best results adjust the scopes focus NOT the camera's.

Happy shooting!

cs
Jeanette

Hold on there a sec jjj.... dont we have just two hands?

[renormalised (Carl)]

Nice shot, Duncan!!!!

Now, what you need is one of these.....

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-052C

That will solve all your camera handling problems for afocal. But very quickly, you will probably look at getting of of these.....

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-071D

Then, one of these....

http://www.planewave.com/index.php?page=1&id0=0&id=1

and a....

http://www.sbig.com/sbwhtmls/stx_preview.htm

But somehow, it'll still feel inadequate, so you'll just have to shell out for one of these...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...f/HST-SM4.jpeg

Let's hope you have deeeeeeeeepppppppppppp pockets!!!!