A wonderfully detailed image of AR 1476 (Brisbane 10th May 2012)

[Dennis]

I am not a Baader representative nor do I have any technical background with these films, so I cannot offer any advice re their design for film and/or CCD’s.

I have used the Baader AstroSolar™ PhotoFilm, as recommended on the Baader data sheet, with a telescope for high magnification photographic work in conjunction with a Baader Solar Continuum filter and did not encounter any issues.

As per the Baader data sheet, I would not use the Baader AstroSolar™ PhotoFilm for any SLR or DSLR using typical lenses, or any such normal terrestrial camera or optic – at best you are likely to fry the instrument, at worst you may cause yourself some serious damage.

Cheers

Dennis

[andyc (Andy)]

wow! That's an incredibly detailed image. Very impressive.

[Octane (Humayun)]

That is so good, Dennis. Astounding, really.

I'd imagine a print of that would be a fantastic talking point in your living room.

Where did you get your film from? It says not to use DSLR lenses, but, I'm wondering if that also means that it cannot be used on DSLRs, period... ?

H

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Octane

That is so good, Dennis. Astounding, really.

I'd imagine a print of that would be a fantastic talking point in your living room.

Where did you get your film from? It says not to use DSLR lenses, but, I'm wondering if that also means that it cannot be used on DSLRs, period... ?

H

Thanks H. I think that I purchased my Baader Astro Solar Film (ND5 and ND3.8) from the now defunct York Optical; they used to stock a range of Baader stuff when they were in business in Brisbane.

In terms of safety, with the Mewlon 180 F12 operating at an effective focal ratio of F19.2 (using the Tak x1.6 extender) I am shooting at 1/2000 sec with my DMK31 at a Gain of around 300 (range=180 to 1024). For comparison, when I then insert a Baader Solar Continuum filter (in front of the IR cut filter), I’m shooting at around 1/120 sec with a gain of around 400 with the DMK.

I have used the Canon 7D and 40D DSLR at the F12 prime focus of the Mewlon 180 shooting at ISO 100 and 1/3200. I also experimented with 1/2000 sec but the histogram (blue end) was uncomfortably close to the right hand edge. I’ve also used the 40D with my Vixen 102mm F9 refractor with Canon EF 1.4 Extender (efr F12.6) shooting 1/8000 sec at ISO 100 with the 3.8 although I do not recommend this for beginners.

I’m always very cautious when writing about optics and the sun. Not for the 9999 out of 10,000 amateur astronomers who know their stuff, but for the 1 in 10,000 newbie who knows little about astro photography and the enormously destructive energy of optically focused sunlight, be it visible, IR or UV.

I’m not sure if kids these days still burn holes in paper with a magnifying glass like we used to, garnering a healthy respect for old Sol!

I recently ordered some astro stuff from My Astro shop and noticed that their website did list Baader film, although I don’t think it indicates stock levels? They usually answer e-mail queries within 24 hours so maybe give them a go?

Cheers

Dennis

[Octane (Humayun)]

Thanks, Dennis!

I would be operating at 800mm focal length and f/8 (FSQ with Extender-Q 1.6) using the 5D Mark III.

I hadn't thought of popping the 1.4 extender into the mix. Although, I doubt I'd be able to reach focus with both teleconverters stacked together.

Cheers for the heads up!

H

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Octane

Thanks, Dennis!
I hadn't thought of popping the 1.4 extender into the mix. Although, I doubt I'd be able to reach focus with both teleconverters stacked together.
Cheers for the heads up!
H

Don’t forget to tape the back pins of the Extender so that the camera body thinks that it’s just a lump of unintelligent metal. If you don’t, you will likely get an “Err” code as the camera will not be able to recognise the ‘scope that the body/extender is connected to.

Cheers

Dennis

[Octane (Humayun)]

Good tip. I would have had to have learn that the hard way.

I think I'll just stick to the Takahashi Extender-Q for the time being. For future though, it will be an option.

Cheers!

H

[Martin Pugh]

Brilliant.

well done
Martin

[Dennis]

Hello,

First of all, apologies for resurrecting this older post, but I thought it appropriate to post this newly processed full solar disc in the same post for comparison, as it was also taken on the same day as the DMK image, but using my Vixen 4” ED102S F9 refractor.

I used the Canon x1.4 Extender II on the 40D with the pins at the rear of the Extender taped up, so they could not make an electrical connection with the 40D and return an “Err” message.

This set up gave me an effective focal length of 1285mm at F12.6 and the solar disc nicely filled the field of view.

A full aperture Baader solar filter (OD=3.8) was used.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hello,

First of all, apologies for resurrecting this older post, but I thought it appropriate to post this newly processed full solar disc in the same post for comparison, as it was also taken on the same day as the DMK image, but using my Vixen 4” ED102S F9 refractor.

I used the Canon x1.4 Extender II on the 40D with the pins at the rear of the Extender taped up, so they could not make an electrical connection with the 40D and return an “Err” message.

This set up gave me an effective focal length of 1285mm at F12.6 and the solar disc nicely filled the field of view.

A full aperture Baader solar filter (OD=3.8) was used.

Cheers

Dennis

that film makes the poor old thousand oaks filter seem like a 10 oaks