Is This Boredom

[leon]

Hi All.

I was just flicking through the Deep Space threads, and of coarse was astounded that my thread, on (Taks First Light) had so many hits and replies, 582 hits and 30 replies.

Well this got me wondering, so i went through all the available pages and found that I run an equal tie with Atalas for replies, but he has piped me with 669 hits.

Than of coarse there is Easytyles, with a massive 746 hits, but is down to only 23 replies.

To think that my effort, has actually generated so much interest is certainly very gratifying, thank you.

Do you reckon I'm bored, or do i need more clear nights, and get out more.

Leon

[erick (Eric)]

I know you've just come into some cash you could spend on a nice evening out?

[leon]

Yep, Erick, i could do that.

Leon

[xelasnave]

Leon please keep us entertained.
I love to hear how it is going with your gear. As I said I think you have made an excellent choice with your gear ..it would be my choice if I had not got so involved with stuff leading up to a sensible purchase... hopefully one day I will get the same when I reach that level of expertise.
Needless to say there must be many others who are interested.
best wishes
alex

[leon]

Thanks for the comments Alex, but believe me when i say, I'm no expert at this game.
I give it my best shot, and enjoy every minute of it, failures and all, It's the only way to learn.

Alex, about 18 months ago I hadn't even thought of digital imaging, digital, bugger that i thought, how could that equal to film, just not possible.

I had film coming out of my ears, nearly chocked myself to death with the fumes in an un-ventilated dark room, where i spent many hours, and it too was fun.

You may have read an article a couple of years ago in a Sky and Space mag where i actually wrote about the old school of Astronomy, where i even bagged the digital imagers, on how easy it is today to get great images with their computerized equipment, all they had to do was tell it where to point, and away they would go, results, great images.

Not like the old days i said, where we had to work for our photo's.

Boy, was i wrong, and i did publicly apologise for those rash statements some time later.

Anyway that is in the past, and now it is I who is trying his hand at digital imaging, who would of thought.

But i have to say I'm having the time of my life, and it has stirred me into something very rewarding.

Gee I ramble on

Cheers Leon

[erick (Eric)]

You've convinced me - that DSLR is firmly on the list (when the money appears from somewhere).

[xelasnave]

Eric your work tells me you dont need to go for a DSLR just yet.. but for the cash sell some of your great wide fields.
Looking at your work makes me want to have a go with the good old 35 mm ... more mega pix when you think about it..er I think it would equate to more... but the focus..how do you focus.. I take up to 40 test shots with the 300d..it could take me a year just to get focus ..take a test shot get it developed..adjust and send off more film.

Leon I recall only about 4 years ago most were saying 35mm was better etc.
Unfortunately it was experience I missed.. I set up for it even took some shots that never got developed because the 300d came along.. but I really think I will give it a go.
If I may ask what is a reasonable exposure time with 35mm and perhaps if you could suggest a film for a fair result.
alex

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

... but the focus..how do you focus.. I take up to 40 test shots with the 300d..it could take me a year just to get focus ..take a test shot get it developed..adjust and send off more film.....

All I did was turn the lens to the infinity endstop. I cannot imagine that ever being a problem - surely that will always be in focus?? Is that not true???

Originally Posted by xelasnave

..... If I may ask what is a reasonable exposure time with 35mm and perhaps if you could suggest a film for a fair result.....

The shots I put in the thread were single shots - 2min, 5min, 10min exposure - I was only looking for the bright stars and happily saw more than that - globulars and strong hints of one galaxy (other than LMC). The film was cheap and somewhat old Fujifilm 400ASA colour print. I'd rather be using a Kodak 400ASA slide film - but 36 frames to shoot, then process before I know how the session(s) have gone!!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I know how you feel Leon.

Nice to finally get this rain, but it would be much nicer to be outside imaging.

Oh well, it gives me time to work on the drawings and plans for cheap roll-off roof Observatories to make and sell (if anyone ever wants them ).

Not a lot to do in this weather

but count posts

[xelasnave]

Eric I find infinity setting does not work on the 300d.. you need to be a little off that point to get a great focus it seems to me. Thank you for the guide on exposure times and film selection.

Leon... I have been thinking... I think it was your article I read that prompted me to get a 35mm camera...when I get home I will dig out the article and see if it was indeed you who encouraged me to try it.

Ken.. I am sure there is a future in your vission. When building the roll away garden shed I thought ..why does not everyone build one and then it came to me some people get others to build things for them because they cant or are too busy...and there are probably more people who cant build than people who can...
But a shed I feel beats a dome hands down, both from cost and function view points... the onlything going against them is perhaps they dont look the part... the roll away shed works well as you have a seperate room to work in and no scope in the middle.
alex

[leon]

Alex, In response to your request, for some of the better films still available for astro-photography, i will come to that in a minute.

The article in question, for which i was really flogged, is on page 10 of Australian Sky and Telescope, July 2005, ( The Good Old days) and there is also a response to it on page 10, Aust Sky and Telescope September 2005 (Missing the Point).

Also some of the better films are

Black and White, Tec Pan 2415 (Hypered) was the best, but not available any more.

Ilford HP5 Plus, is the best all round black and white

Also Kodak T Max 100 is very good.

Colour Negative, the better is probably Fuji Superia X Tra, 800 ASA.

Slide Film, there is quite a few of these.

Kodak Elite ll 100 ASA (very Good)
Kodak Elite Chrome 200 (Very Good)
Kodak Elite Chrome 100 (Excellent)
Fuji Provia 400 F (Excellent), probably the best, but it is not cheap.
Fuji Sensia ll 400 ASA (good)

Alex exposure times is probably trial and error, so to speak, depends on where you live for light pollution etc, so experimenting is probably the best.

I found in Suburbia, with pretty bad light pollution HP5 B/W would pull you up at about 30sec's to 45 sec's.

Dark skies, go for it, but like i said probably need to test some of these.

Cheers Leon

Hope this helps

Actually Alex if you go to, www.robertreeves.com/class7.htm. you will find a whole bunch of helpful info on films of all types.

Leon

[xelasnave]

Thank you Leon for all of that... sounds like the article... you were a bit ..I dont know how to put it but... it sounded as though you had little respect for the new easy way of doing things...as I recall.

But I must be wrong about my recollections somewhere..it seemed to me longer ago.. anyways I have the mags.. all that come out are around someplace... but that seems maybe after I got the 300d...it is not clear like most recollections at my age.
anyways thanks heaps...
I only work in a dark site these days now that the mount is permanent .. I may try at half my DSLR times at the same iso..if that makes sense... but it appeals to me particularly after Erics widefields. I love wide field they are so beautiful.. I have the camera (a good one, cant remeber the brand but got it from an enthusiast) ,the cable and the ring to attach the cam to the scope.. so why not do it I guess.
alex

[leon]

By all means Alex give it a go, you can only end up enjoying yourself.

Leon