Snake Valley - First Light for the ED80

[niko]

Snake Valley was my first opportunity to use the recently purchased Vixen ED80 and HEQ5Pro (purchased off ice in space). Thanks to all those that assisted me in getting it set up and those that offered words of encourgaement.

Here my first real astrophotography results. Apart from the star trails all the others were taken using a Minolta SRT 101B film (!) camera mounted to the top of the scope using a 1/4" bolt that Daniel had in the back of the ute.

I realise that aren't the greatest but I am totally stoked with them. So rapt to have got some tracking happening.

Thanks again to the helpful folk over the weekend. And thanks to the rest of you for looking

cheers,

niko

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Top work there, good to see how these turned out, you certainly didnt waste time getting the film developed.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Ah, down the slippery financial slope of astrophotography he slides. Ain't it fun though niko. Good start to get the ball rolling. I particularly like the capture of the iridium flare in the second star trail shot. Damn them powerlines though

[Tamtarn]

What a fantastic result Niko. That's a super effort for your first try at astrophotography and even more special using a film camera.

Look out...........we see a big spending spree happening soon

[Ric]

Well done Niko, a great start they are all good images. the star trails look great.

You are on your way now.

Cheers

[niko]

thanks gang. and yep, you're right Andrew, I was at the photo shop bright and early Tuesday morning and even though they said 3pm I was back at 12 hoping that'd be ready! And they were!!!

[robin]

Niko, the venerable Minolta SRT 101! Wow, when I was a teenager, they were all the rage. Had the efficiency of a good ol' Pentax k1000. I was an Olympus guy back then so Minolta was the 'darkside' (Like canon & nikon are to each other nowadays) Great shots from the observing field

[niko]

I've had that Minolta for almost 30 years and it's never missed a trick. I can't even tell you the last time I changed the battery.

Do you think I'll still be able to get a T ring for it coz I'm keen to try that out next?

[robin]

Mmm...good question. Is it a threaded mount or a bayonet? I honestly think you'd be able to get one somewhere

[niko]

hope so....

it's a bayonet fitting

any siggestion of where to look?

[Campus Dweller]

What sort of film, including ISO, were you using niko?

[niko]

CD,

Fuji 400 ASA.

Star trails were about 45mins I guess. Pelaides about 3 mins. Actually I think everything was about 3 mins although I didn't accurately time anything coz I was busy chatting away. At one point I think I went off to the toliet and then remebered to close the shutter!

Now that I know I can get some okay results I'll start taking accurate records of aperture and exposure times.

I took all on f5.6 - that much I do know!!

cheers

[danielsun]

Well done niko, they turned out great!!
Sorry, I probably should have aligned your mount a little more accurately for the closer Tarantular shots, otherwise excellent pics

[niko]

Thanks daniel. I was stoked to get them back from the shop and see how well they worked out.

Couldn't have done it without you - thanks again

Niko

[robin]

Originally Posted by niko

hope so....

it's a bayonet fitting

any siggestion of where to look?

Well, Id try the camera shops for starters, maybe email them, then the astro shops, then maybe the Moog adapter guy or even Ebay. There'll be one around somewhere