I thought I would post a couple of images I took back in 1988, using gas hypered Konica SRV3200 film, Nikon F2 camera body with Nikon astro focusing screen and using a waste level finder attachment for easy viewing.
The scope was a Meade 2120LX3, using a Lumicon Giant Easyguider, Lumicon Deep Sky filter and an illuminated reticle eyepiece for guiding-the first autoguiders (ST4) were just about coming out then, I think.
All I have done is use my printer scanner to scan the original prints. Exposures were 10 mins f6 for M8 and 9mins f6 for NGC5139
They are quite respectable shots. Thanks for posting.
Personally I was always two steps behind with colour film. By the time I heard of films that had any Ha sensitivity they went and changed the emulsion so it was no longer red sensitive. I ended up just sticking to Tech Pan 2415.
Did you get any shots of Halley in 85/86? I didn't get hold of hypered Tech Pan until 1987 so only have ultra grainy Ilford HP5 and Fuji 1600 pics of it.
Laurie, excellent images as you say for the technology of the time. I remember taking M42 and guiding for 30 min at a time to get something on film and rushing to the 60 min developing service with the slide film or print film, and then being disappointed as they all had star trails or some other defect.
Sooooo much easier now.
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. The original prints are much better than they display here, since I didn't do high-res scans-wouldn't be able to load them here.
I'm just in the process of acquiring new equipment after an absence of 15 or so years from the hobby, and have much to learn about ccd imaging, but I'm sure that with so many helpful people on this site, I will get plenty of help when I need it.
Nice shots Laurie. Omega Cen is my pick - quite good resolution, especially when you consider the film has first been developed, then transferred to print, age 24 years and finally scanned!
What an amazing feat Laurie! I cannot begin to imagine how complicated that must have been, you couldn't even log onto forums like this one to share and discuss results. You deserve a knighthood! Love both!
ps I hope you do have a Halleys Comet lying around somewhere...
Thanks JJJ and Carlos. I don't have any photos of Halley's. Actually Halley's was what started me in astronomy. I bought binoculars to see it, got hooked on astronomy and signed up for an introductory course with Sutherland Astronomical Society-things just went from there.
Hypering tanks, Forming gas, even dry ice. Manually guding a C8 for hours at a time. And we kept at it month after month. Today, you don't even need to drive to a dark sky site or even own a telescope.
Great stuff Laurie,
Reminded me of a series of a total Lunar eclipse I did as Halley's was leaving and while the moon was in eclipse we swung over and grabbed a few last shots of the Comet as it headed out all done with manual guiding.
A bit different now.
Will have to get the old album out and have a look.
Thanks Leon. Yes March was the best month for Halley. I got some shots at that time on unhypered Ektachrome slide film. I traced out a 10 degree tail in binoculars.
