Complete Beginner, need help with settings

[jr_simpson (Australia)]

Hi There,

I'm a complete beginner with regards to Astrophotography. I have a Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Telescope with GPS and all the appropriate eye pieces, the Celestron NexImage Camera with all the appropirate software and a Canon 50D EOS DSLR Camera. I have the T ring and T Connector required to attach the Camera to the Telescope. I've managed to take a couple of still images using the DSLR attached to the telescope with the T ring and Barlow 2X lens and was quite impress with my first attempts.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...28757320_n.jpg
Jupiter taken 2005 07FEB13.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...21819026_n.jpg
Saturn taken 0300 08FEB13.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...49034809_n.jpg
Jupiter taken 2243 08FEB13.

The last photo is where I begin to have problems with exposure after fiddling with some settings. While I have the sharpness and focus correct, there is no colour definition or visible details of the actual planet like in my first photo.

If anybody is willing to help me out with the best settings to use on my 50D for T ring attached photography, I will forever be in their debt.

Many Thanks in advance,

Jason Simpson - Cairns

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Hi Jason. Your last photo is over-exposed, which allows you to pick up Jupiter's moons, but you lose planetary detail. You first one is a bit under-exposed but picks up planetary detail-same with Saturn. Try stacking some images.
Great first effort!

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Any reason you're not using the NexImage camera on objects like Jupiter??
That should be a better "fit" for that sized object...

[Wookie (Ryan)]

Hi Jason,

Generally final planetary images are created from stacked images from an avi file processed through registax or equivalent (a video from your Neximage webcam would be perfect for this).

Deep space objects from stacked longer exposures obtained from DSLR or CCD cameras. These images are then stacked through programs such as deep sky stacker or similar.

I'm just starting out myself but if I can point you in the right direction just drop me a PM.

Ryan

[jr_simpson (Australia)]

Thanks guys, I'm slowly getting there. The main reason I'm not using the CCD for imaging at the moment is because I'm still working out the settings in AMCap (Which is harder than I thought). So if anyone has the perfect settings and wouldn't mind sharing, I'll be their best friend forever. Also, if anyone has the best settings for my 50D it would also be greatly appreciated. Here's tonights capture of Jupiter, a bit more detailed after a bit of processing, but still not to my satisfaction. This was taken with the 2X Barlow and extension tube attached to the DSLR. All controlled from my laptop (with the exception of focusing of course). Here is also a photo of my mobile observatory in my back yard. Started shooting right on twilight.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...94638618_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...98677123_n.jpg

Thanks again,

Jason.

[TechnoViking (James)]

Hi Jason,

I was having similar problems to you as i am also new to astrophotography, here is a thread which will answer all the problems you are having. Including Over exposure, and DSLR settings,which nex image do you have? the Black rectangular version, or the new 5MP version?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=100618

Cheers

James

[jr_simpson (Australia)]

Hi James,

Thanks for that. I have the rectangular one. I was thinking of getting the 5mp one. Is it worth it do you know?

Jason

[raymo]

hi Jason,
It doesn't help with settings etc: but I suggest that you have your tripod legs fully retracted, as the 130SLT is not a particularly stable
scope, and you don't want wind induced camera shake to spoil your images. Hanging something heavy under the accessory tray also helps to
create a more stable platform.
I am personally not in favour of beginner astrophotographers
controlling their scope from a laptop; I think that it is very important
to get up close and personal in the early days, and become thoroughly familiar with all your gear, and learn how to attach, remove, adjust,
and lastly, use it in a dark environment.
I hope I don't sound patronising, but it is just what I believe.
happy snapping,
raymo

[jr_simpson (Australia)]

Hi Raymo,

THanks for the input. The main reason I'm controlling my telescope and cameras from my laptop is due to the shaking and vibration of the tripod. I agree it is not the best designed tripod I've ever owned and I've owned a few in my years of stargazing. Good idea with the weight hanging from the tray, I'll give it a try. I've just received my new NexImage 5 5MP CCD, the images are way clearer and the resolution is much better than the boxy CCD. All I have to do now is get a clear night so I can test it out. Hopefully I'll have a nice image stacked and ready to view very very soon.

Regards,

jason