Polarie - 1st proper go

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #1 15-09-2012, 11:46 AM

An early-stages Milky Way image from last night.

The Polarie is a delight, I have to say. It ran for around 5 hours on a set of batteries that I replaced only because I had another set. The first lot didn't actually run out.

It took two minutes to set up with a dec-corrected compass and inclinometer.

Pretty degraded image to fit into 200k, but you get the idea.

Oh yeah... 300 second subs with no trailing.

Larryp (Laurie) · #2 15-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Certainly works well, Chris!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #3 15-09-2012, 12:10 PM

Cheers Larry. It most certainly does. I'm wondering how long I'll be able to push for when I set it up properly with a polar scope next week. After that I'm going to construct a counterweight system just to make it even better.

Larryp (Laurie) · #4 15-09-2012, 12:30 PM

You are making me think about buying one!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #5 15-09-2012, 12:45 PM

From what I hear they're selling quite well.

multiweb (Marc) · #6 15-09-2012, 12:52 PM

Nice - Is that from dark skies?

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #7 15-09-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

Nice - Is that from dark skies?

From the forest Marc. You've been there.

multiweb (Marc) · #8 15-09-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

From the forest Marc. You've been there.

Cool - shot right up the zenith then. The polarie alignment comes handy with the built-in inclinometer and compass when no line of sight to the SCP.

gbeal · #9 15-09-2012, 07:16 PM

With the 40 Summicron?
Looking good.
Gary

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #10 15-09-2012, 08:12 PM

You've got to be stoked about that Chris.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #11 15-09-2012, 08:23 PM

Thanks Nettie

Yes, It's promising. I really have to learn the new camera's characteristics first. It's very different and not really meant for this. It's a bit of fun though, so I'll persist. You can't beat full-frame for astro - but MFT is catching up very fast. Terrestrially, it's an absolute ripper.

Gary - no, the OM-D with standard 12-50mm kit lens at 12mm (24mm).

Deeno · #12 16-09-2012, 07:15 AM

Very nice!
Off to a good start.

gregbradley · #13 16-09-2012, 10:42 AM

Great news Chris.

I ordered a digital inclinometer and compass off ebay.

I think I'll get the polar scope as well. I am not sure how easy they are to use but Dave's post about being to match it to achemar and something else bright first was encouraging.

How are you going to handle shots with foreground in them?
Layers and do a composite?

Greg.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #14 16-09-2012, 01:40 PM

Cheers Deeno

Thanks too Greg. The Polarie has a "1/2" setting, specifically designed to let you fudge this. You slow the star field's rate by half, and induce a half sidereal rate movement in your foreground. Theory is that meeting half way for both you can get away with it for short exposures without over-blurring either too much.

Attached - an example I hurriedly took the other night. This was a quick 75 second test shot at high ISO just to see what would happen.