DSLR settings for prime focus photography

[5ash (Philip)]

I recently purchased a canon 60D and need help with the settings for prime focus photography. I understand that I will be using bulb mode but am unsure about settings with the lens removed ( my nex5 has a setting for operation with the lens removed) . I would be grateful for any help or suggestions
Philip

[stardust steve (Steve)]

Hi 5.
I use my 500D set to "M" which allows control over what settings you want to use and change. I use Bulb for imaging over the 30 sec limit that the camera setting allows. You will need a remote timer, or need to be connected to a pc ( EOS Utility is good and i have heard good things with Backyard EOS)
I usually use ISO-1600 for exposures ranging from 30sec to 60 secs, anything more and i have to drop down to ISO-800 as the light pollution tends to make the image very red, very noisy and or washed out.
With the lens removed at prime focus, you will have no aperture settings and focus is done on the scope.
Polar alignment is the main trick. I have got reasonably good results with just an EQ3 tracking in RA only and even better results on my NEQ6 Pro unguided.
Eventually the need for guiding kicks in but a lot of fun can be had with just a bunch of 30sec exposures.
Good luck and clear skies

[Sarge (Rod)]

Phillip,

Have a look at this site:
http://www.astrophotography-tonight....rophotography/
There are many others on the net and a search of IIS and other sites like Cloudy Nights will also uncover further advice and recomendations.

Clear skies

Rod

[5ash (Philip)]

Thanks for the help Steve and Rod.
Regards philip

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Should be no problem using your camera without a lens. I frequently tape over the contacts on my lenses to prevent error messages. It's seen a bit of use.

Don't rule out lower iso settings in light polluted skies. 400 is quite OK in some cases and will preserve more detail with the slower integration time.