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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 10:27:52 GMT
Hi All, This is my first attempt at Astrophotography. Conditions wasn't perfect, Partly cloudy, Average City Outskirt light pollution and very high Humidity. They were simple one shot photos using Auto exposure settings. Couldn't use a Barlow on Jupiter, very high humidity distorted the image too much. I know I've a long way to go, but HEY! we have all got to start somewhere Any comments appreciated, good or bad, as long as they help me improve. Cheers All Pete
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 11:56:58 GMT
Hi Pete not bad at all, bet your chuffed with your first Jupiter!
On your next outing I would shoot video and have a play with exposure and white balance whilst live and you will soon find the best settings for different objects. I dare say you have caught the VA bug lol!
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 14:58:37 GMT
Hi Pete very nice first pics! As Carl says next time use manual exposure. They look a little underexposed. Great start though! Ohh and I'm sure I've read that light pollution doesn't impact the views of planets and the moon as they are sooo bright already. It's all trial and error tho mate just mess with all the various settings (both on the camera and in whatever software you use) the main things to play with are brightness and contrast. Sharpness too but don't go wild as too much kills the image. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 16:34:47 GMT
Hi Guys, Thanks for the comments, didn't know much about stacking Etc, until I looked it up on youtube early today. The above was simply a case of trial and error.
Can anyone help me with this little question... Astro cameras (CCD) don't seem to have a focal length so is it possible to work out magnification. Its simply to know what Barlows I can try without going over the 'Highest Magnification' of my scope; BTW: What happens if you do exceed the HM, even using an eyepiece. Can't try for myself at the moment, don't look as if I'm going to get a clear sky for some time. Catch you all soon, Hope you ARE getting some clear skies Cheers Pete.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 18:40:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 21:29:01 GMT
Hi Carl, Thanks for the great info; and that awesome link. I managed to put in my camera details, pixel size, Resolution Etc; and the results were fantastic, from what I've managed to do so far they looked spot-on. Definitely caught the VA bug, LOL. Only thing I'm disappointed with at the moment is our weather, just looked at the long range forecast for Swansea. Nothing but overcast skies and rain, still, they can't even get the next day right so there's always hope LOL. Thanks again Catch you soon Pete
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Post by johnno on May 7, 2014 0:32:03 GMT
Good first attempt Pete, they're like mine first shots with a Yellow tint to the photo's. Next time to have a go at the moon try shooting in black & white or grayscale to make it look a bit more natural or if you cant do that use some software, I use Fast stone imager viewer and its free, not as good as PS but for nothing its a good starter and you can adjust the image to your liking
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 12:10:51 GMT
Hi John, I have Photoshop elements which came installed when I bought my computer, its not to bad considering it didn't cost anything. Free upgrades as well. Perhaps you know, but I've only been fully into Astronomy since I retired last year and Astrophotography, well! a complete newbie. One of my problems (perhaps a bit stupid) is knowing the actual colour of our planets and moon. OK I know the moon isn't yellow, silver or 'Green Cheese' LOL. I guess when I gain more experience things like colour correction will become second nature (Hopefully LOL). After saying that I can see the benefits of using B/W or Grayscale like you suggested, so I really appreciate your advice. When I advance to Deep Sky photography, probably during the NEXT millenium LOL, I will have to study the experienced or professional photo's. Thanks again John, appreciated Hope you are getting clearer skies than Wales. Pete.
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Post by johnno on May 8, 2014 10:45:43 GMT
haha, clear skies? I forgot what it looks like. I've got a bird nest and cobwebs on my tackle its not been used for so long
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Post by davy on May 8, 2014 21:17:26 GMT
have you tried a shower john...even when weather is good I like to keep my tackle nice n clean..lol....
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Post by johnno on May 8, 2014 22:10:06 GMT
haha, as soon as I posted it and read and had 'tackle' in it, I knew you would come up with something
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Post by davy on May 9, 2014 9:36:48 GMT
Lol..he he
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2014 10:24:44 GMT
Hi All, Can't mention the 'TACKLE' its been done LOL. Due to our wonderful weather I've been practicing using terrestrial viewing. I've also downloaded Registax 6', set my gear up looking towards some distant mountains, started the video and purposely give it some 'camera shake'. Anyway spent quite a few hours with registax. Getting the hang of it slowly. One question..... Can you load several single frames into registax? I have tried but without success. Off Subject:::::: The notification on this forum don't seem to be working. I have set it so followed threads send me an e-mail if someone replies, but so far 'No Notifications' and there have been replies. Fingers crossed for clear skies, especially tonight for Saturn is in opposition. around 3am I think. Catch you all later Pete.
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Post by davy on May 10, 2014 11:17:28 GMT
he he... now you see why we have edit function from day one.... cracking images pete..must be well pleased...that's you one of the guys now...hooked good n proper now
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Post by johnno on May 10, 2014 11:41:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2014 11:46:19 GMT
Hi All, Thanks for the tips. As the weather isn't in our favour, I've been making some adjustments. I took a tip from Youtube and made a temporary screen. I bought a cheap pond liner on EBay and with some old poles I put it between my back yard and the street lights. Result is great, back yard is now in total blackness. I also did some work on my tripod. I noticed that the thread holding the accessory tray was the same as the counterweight bar on my old mount, (discarded after I bought a AZ Goto). Anyway I cut a short piece of metal tubing, put it between the Accessory tray and the retaining knob, attached the counterweight bar to the retaining knob (which has a very long thread) and placed on the counterweights. I now have counterweights about 6" below my accessory tray in the centre of gravity which has improved the stability of my mount over 80%. Not even a tremor when using the focusing knob. To remove it you simply unscrew the Counterweight bar. I did check the maximum weight of the tripod and calculated the weight of my setup using the heaviest eyepieces, cameras Etc, and all are well within limits. I also slewed my scope around its full axis and no problems. Anyway, still have a long way to go with Astrophotography. I guess I'll be happy when I can focus on one of those 'Little Green Men' on Mars. Cheers All Pete.
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