qhy 9 first light

[desler]

Hey all,

Let my start with a disclaimer, this is nothing special. Just trying to figure out what I'm doing with a mono camera and trying to compehend what I've actually done to my mental health

Well I took the plunge and acquired a used qhy9 and filters (Thanks Hagar)

So with my new feather touch focuser on the ed 120, I figured, How hard can it really be................

Needless to say over the last two nights I have been literally fighting my way through the dark! First, focusmax seemed to be doing it's own thing and after an hour of various failed V curves, it then decided that best focus was when stars were fury white Halo's.

I figered it was operator error and I was just to excited to play with my new toys.

Decided to maually focus and then guiding played up! turned out to be a cable, no problem, just another hour or so to diagnose the problem and find my spare in the garage!

Back to getting it going, Oh no, clouds...................End night 1 at 3.50am..... the story continues..

Night two, fresh head, ah sleep, after a dusk thunderstorm, up at midnight..... "there's no reason I can't get focus max to run" An hour and half later I'm getting pretty good V curves, guiding works ok.

The result is a pretty average M 42.

It's my first mono image and the first time I've blended variouos exposure times. Combination of 10, 60 and 120 sec exposures. 10 x lum and 3 x RGB, each.

Hours later, with eyes hanging out of my head, things seem to start to make sense in CCD Stack, and behold, something that looks faintly fimiliar. The normal stuff in CS 3 and here we are.

I can say that I am happy, just to have got something out of the last two full nights, and I figure the only way from here is up.

Comments/Criticsims and tips always appreciated.

Darren

[Alchemy (Clive)]

So it was you who bought dougs camera, I eyed it off but just short of enough loose change at the time and bang it was gone,
Re focus ... Why don't you just use a batinov mask, flawless every time.
I know exactly how it feels to have new gear and so much goes pear shaped, still you are up and running.... Go for it

[TrevorW]

As Clive said use a Bahlitov mask works great all the time and remember to focus on a star near the target also re-check focus, which I forget to do.

[cybereye (Mario)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

As Clive said use a Bahlitov mask works great all the time and remember to focus on a star near the target also re-check focus, which I forget to do.

... and then remove the mask when you've finished focusing and start taking images!!!

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

A great start Darren. LOL! Yep, I agree - a Bahtinov is pretty foolprooof and is also quick. Maybe not ultra-perfect by some standards, but for this work they're fantastic. As Mario states - don't forget to remove it before you go careering off on a long sequence of exposures....

[RobF (Rob)]

Congrats Darren. Great first effort.
I hope the sky (and camera) co-operate to let you get some more shots in soon...

[mill (Martin)]

Well done Darren
Now the processing will be double the trouble

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice start Darren. Now the fun begins. You at least got some clear skies more than I can say when I got my new camera. The weather is still toying with me but I am saving the good nights for Snake Valley.
Focus max is a great tool if you get it sorted but I still use a Bat Mask religiously for best focus.

Have fun. I was going to say "Break a leg, but affraid you might."

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Great start Dazza it's quite respectable actually!

Love the diary of frustrations and confusion, it will get better

On the subject of focus, bah! Bartinov Shmartinov, I have never used such a contraption instead I focus manually via remote hand box (RoboFocus) while looking at a focus star on the screen, can take a few minutes to satisfy my analness for perfect focus going in and out but it has never let my resolution down once!

Mike

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very nice shot for a first light. Beautiful

[desler]

Alchemy

So it was you who bought dougs camera, I eyed it off but just short of enough loose change at the time and bang it was gone,
Re focus ... Why don't you just use a batinov mask, flawless every time.
I know exactly how it feels to have new gear and so much goes pear shaped, still you are up and running.... Go for it

Yes Clive, sorry to get in before you, but have been itching, to move this way for a little while, pity I don't have more hair I can pull out.

Trevor, Mario and Chris, Bathinov is sitting on the desk to reconfirm, just hoped to make things a little easier as I've also set up remote desktop and can do most of the capture from the warmth of the lounge room.

Rob, Martin, Doug, Mike and Mark, Thanks for the words of encouragement. Get all hte bugs sorted out here at home in the light pollution, and have a ball at snake valley!!!!!

And no Doug, Im not planning on breaking my leg! Hpw would I use crutches with a bung shoulder!!!!!!!!!

Bring on the clear skies.....

Darren

[mill (Martin)]

Originally Posted by desler

Alchemy

And no Doug, Im not planning on breaking my leg! Hpw would I use crutches with a bung shoulder!!!!!!!!!

Bring on the clear skies.....

Darren

Talking about shoulders, i have to get an xray and ultrasound of my shoulder because of a suspected torn tendon

[desler]

already had the xray and ultrasound, have an injection of steriods and water directly into the joint on Tuesday morning, the day after I'm due back on the bike!


Sick pay, here we come

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by desler

And no Doug, Im not planning on breaking my leg! Hpw would I use crutches with a bung shoulder!!!!!!!!!

Bring on the clear skies.....

Darren

Snake Valley would be interesting. Jen could always lend you some support.

[desler]

Quick, very quick, where's Pete?