Nice start Peter. You should have a lot of fun with this sort of rig and should produce some very classy images. I would suggest you extend the exposure time out a bit and you will have a lot more data to work with. You also need to concentrate on getting your focus spot on and the stars will shrink a little more also.
I will definitely try longer exposure times on my next
imaging session. Focusing was a bit tricky and I certainly need to spend some more time in getting better focus.
Thanks for your input.
You are going to have a ball with this set up - I use a ST8300M on an AP130 EDT (f7.5) with Astrodon E series filters. I continues to amaze me what it is capable of - the ST8300 makes the 5 inch punch well above its weight.
I found manual focus is tricky with the AP focusers because they are so good - seems oxymoronic. All i had to do was touch the focuser knob and think about turning it and focus would shift.
I've put a Moonlite on the AP which will allow autofocus with FocusMax. Yeah - its almost vandalism but I still have the AP focuser to stick back on it if necessary. Im waiting to get the scope back - (A mate is machining a flange to take the moonlite - it was a Synta flange) but I have found this method to be extemely good and repeatable on other good quality Apo's. Will report on performance when I get it back.
Anyway mate well done and get ready to have some fun.
Bit clipped in the process but you've got some seriously nice toys to start with. Looking forward to more.
