First try with DSLR on T-mount

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Hi all,

This is my first attempt at the Moon with my DSLR hooked up to my Intes Micro M500 with a T-mount and Mak Cass adapter. I took 35 pic's and stacked them processed with unsharp mask and contrast brightness saturation highlight and shadow. LARGE VERSION

[El Paso Eric (Eric)]

Hi Warren,

There is a lot of detail and color in that image, but it looks like either the focus was off or there was an issue with stacking (most likely stacking).

Before you take any Moon images, try focusing on a star, with a Bahtinov mask. There are free generators on the web. It just takes a little patience to cut them out.

It's probably obvious, but be sure to record the images in RAW mode. This will give you 12-14 bit depth vs. 8 bit for JPG's

My 2 cents worth. Hope it helps...

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Thanks Eric,

I agree re focus I did shoot in RAW but I don't have live view so focus is difficult it is a manual mount so tracking stars to focus is difficult but overall I am thrilled I plan to try to get better focus but until I get a camera with live view I am not sure if I can ever get it perfect.

Thanks for your comments

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Hi Warren. I had trouble with focus with my DSLR as I had no live view. I purchase a right angle view finder on E-bay for $35. it allow you to magnify the image in the viewfinder by 1.5 or 3x. Then you can see the star better to focus. I still use a Bat Mask as well. Its a great help and the best $35 i spent



Mardy

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

take a series of photos and check the bahtinov diffraction pattern to get your focus - it only need doing once per session.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by BlackWidow

Hi Warren. I had trouble with focus with my DSLR as I had no live view. I purchase a right angle view finder on E-bay for $35. it allow you to magnify the image in the viewfinder by 1.5 or 3x. Then you can see the star better to focus. I still use a Bat Mask as well. Its a great help and the best $35 i spent



Mardy

I second this advice. The right angle finder is a great piece of kit. Not just for the focusing aspect either. It will save you much pain in the neck too, as you won't have to get into those weird and awkward positions to have to see through the camera.

[El Paso Eric (Eric)]

Originally Posted by jenchris

take a series of photos and check the bahtinov diffraction pattern to get your focus - it only need doing once per session.

I used to use a Canon 30D, without live-view and never had a problem getting good focus. I placed the Bahtinov mask over the scope and would shoot a bright star. Then I'd use the display on the camera back to view the star. I'd zoom the image to see the diffraction pattern, make a change in focus and re-check. It only took a couple iterations to get the focus exactly right.

However, since I shoot at f5, I usually focus a lot more than once a session, especially if there has been a large temperature drop. Depending on the construction of your telescope, and the f#, the temperature drop can cause the scope to contract and pull the scope out of focus. Scopes made from Carbon Fiber will shrink less than Aluminum ones. Also, scopes with larger f#'s will have a wider Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) and will require less focusing.

For your scope @f10, your CFZ is pretty wide at ~245 microns (for blue). As far as scopes are concerned, this is fairly large. Don't get caught-up in the details, just understand that large temperature changes can shift the focus.

Keep working and most importantly, have fun. That's what its all about.

[bartman (Bart)]

Heya Warren,
Bummer about the focus bit, or was it ?. Were the individual pics sharp?
Can you post maybe a single pic?
If you dont have live view and no Bahtinov mask, just take a pic review it and adjust one way or another........but I guess you have figured that out already.
Just another thought. Was the exposure too long maybe?
Anyhoe...I'm of to google land to find out what a "Intes Micro M500 with a T-mount and Mak Cass adapter" is...heheheehehe
Cheers
Bartman

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Hi Bartman,

I think the focus was off slightly here is the single pic you wanted I am amazed at the difference stacking makes to detail. I know it isn't good focus but I am thrilled with the detail I was able to pull out of them. Just wait until I get a EQ6 Pro to give me time to do better focus even with the moon I was short on time in the field of view.

The T-mount and adapter is for attaching my DSLR to the scope

[bartman (Bart)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

Hi Bartman,

The T-mount and adapter is for attaching my DSLR to the scope

Ahem.....DOOOOH!!!!!! stupid me, I thought it had to do with the mount!
I hang my head in shame!
Thanks for the single pic.....and I guess yes it is a focus thing as all have said b4.
Keep at it and full moon will be soon so have a crack at that.
Bartman