Search titles only
By:
Home
Forums
New posts
Search forums
Articles
New articles
New comments
Search articles
Pinball DB
Pinball Tables
Pinball Games
What's new
New posts
New articles
New profile posts
New article comments
Latest activity
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
Install the app
Install
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
Welcome Back to Digital Pinball Fans -
please read this first
For latest updates, follow Digital Pinball Fans on
Facebook
and
Twitter
Home
Forums
Other Talk
Off-Topic/Forum Discussion
The Random Thought Thread
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="The loafer" data-source="post: 294483" data-attributes="member: 1434"><p>Thanks for all the comments guys. I really need to get a real webpage done some day to post these and blog about them, even if it's to keep it going as a public diary on my efforts. For some of the objects, i have early pics so you can see there is real progression in all the tools I used (camera, scope, processing tools).</p><p></p><p>kolchak: You are pretty bang on. Usually it is between 22sec-30sec exposures, though sometimes depending on the location in the sky, I can stretch out a few frames at 42 seconds. My main imaging scope is also an 8" SCT, the Celestron CPC800. Most of the pictures above were taken with the Meade DSI2C, DSI3C and DSI3PRO. my DSI3C which I used to get the color info has died recently so I have to either look at another solution or stop being lazy and use the filters I have for the DSI3PRO LOL. That requires going outside in the bug filled summer days or the freezing cold summer nights. </p><p></p><p>"Outside?" Well yeah, as I mentioned in one of my previous messages, my observatory is my deck in the back of the house. when I decide to image, I get everything out before sundown, get all the wiring connected and everything done except installing the cameras. This includes all the cables that goes into the house via the patio door, then I use painters tape to tape the gap in the patio door (since I can't close it due to the cabling). The cabling includes the power cord to power the scope (for tracking/GPS purposes), one long serial to USB cable to connect to one laptop so that I can tell the scope what object to point to, another USB cable to connect the imaging camera to another laptop (too much for the old laptops to connect to just one). On the same laptop that images, I also do some quick post processing to ensure the data is good WHILE i actually get the data. Finally one more cable that connects to the focuser I have installed on my visual back. This is one of the most important pieces I've added to my scope. Ugh? Well yeah, before it would be me outside telling my wife who's at the computer "ok, is it in focus now" (while I turn the focus knob) with her replying "I can't see a difference". This would repeat with great frustration all the time and some success some of the time. Keep in mind, the success of getting great subs is directly tied to the quest for near perfect focus. There is more to it than that (ie: how's the seeing conditions? Transparency? etc) but focus is sooo important.</p><p></p><p>Now, I just point the laptop towards the patio door and do a rough focus that at least shows near pinpoint stars, then I go in and finish it off myself using the focus remote. That final focus adjustment needed was a divorce waiting to happen, wife kept getting frustrated, I kept getting frustrated, etc. Now, it's no longer an issue, she's fired but happy <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Indeed I do stack as much as possible. I'm not a perfectionist though, because if I was I'd have installed the wedge mount I bought along with this scope I think 13 years ago? But the wedge point aren't perfect for the CPC800 and I've done well with the alt-az imaging so I guess it feels too comfortable to get away from. One of the big challenges is in the Ottawa valley, its not always automatic to have decent weather so when I do have the time to image (maybe 2-3 times per YEAR), I don't want to waste my time. When I imaged last month with the scope, it was the first time in 15 months! In saying that well I'm retiring in 4 months so having that available time is going to be enticing <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>I also have an 80mm refractor that I had intention of putting on top of the scope so that I could use it for autoguiding purposes. It's been in storage for the ten years I've had it, I should just sell it lol</p><p></p><p>I don't have a solar scope yet, looked at the PST often, probably some day because thats the one target we could look at every friggin week <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>So my really good CPC800 (dubbed Seymore... cause it allows me to... see ... more... yuk yuk) is mostly used for imaging. But what to do for just viewing? Well a couple of years ago I bought this off a local amateur astronomer who bought it off the guy that made it. 16" of goodness and monstrosity built into one magical package. Paid a really good price for it too!</p><p></p><p>I present to you... GIGANTOR!!! take a good look, the sucker is even on WHEELS!!!</p><p></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BdGOJdg.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/DwxXcwJ.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>p.s. yeah when pointed to the zenith (straight up) I do need to use a ladder lol</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="The loafer, post: 294483, member: 1434"] Thanks for all the comments guys. I really need to get a real webpage done some day to post these and blog about them, even if it's to keep it going as a public diary on my efforts. For some of the objects, i have early pics so you can see there is real progression in all the tools I used (camera, scope, processing tools). kolchak: You are pretty bang on. Usually it is between 22sec-30sec exposures, though sometimes depending on the location in the sky, I can stretch out a few frames at 42 seconds. My main imaging scope is also an 8" SCT, the Celestron CPC800. Most of the pictures above were taken with the Meade DSI2C, DSI3C and DSI3PRO. my DSI3C which I used to get the color info has died recently so I have to either look at another solution or stop being lazy and use the filters I have for the DSI3PRO LOL. That requires going outside in the bug filled summer days or the freezing cold summer nights. "Outside?" Well yeah, as I mentioned in one of my previous messages, my observatory is my deck in the back of the house. when I decide to image, I get everything out before sundown, get all the wiring connected and everything done except installing the cameras. This includes all the cables that goes into the house via the patio door, then I use painters tape to tape the gap in the patio door (since I can't close it due to the cabling). The cabling includes the power cord to power the scope (for tracking/GPS purposes), one long serial to USB cable to connect to one laptop so that I can tell the scope what object to point to, another USB cable to connect the imaging camera to another laptop (too much for the old laptops to connect to just one). On the same laptop that images, I also do some quick post processing to ensure the data is good WHILE i actually get the data. Finally one more cable that connects to the focuser I have installed on my visual back. This is one of the most important pieces I've added to my scope. Ugh? Well yeah, before it would be me outside telling my wife who's at the computer "ok, is it in focus now" (while I turn the focus knob) with her replying "I can't see a difference". This would repeat with great frustration all the time and some success some of the time. Keep in mind, the success of getting great subs is directly tied to the quest for near perfect focus. There is more to it than that (ie: how's the seeing conditions? Transparency? etc) but focus is sooo important. Now, I just point the laptop towards the patio door and do a rough focus that at least shows near pinpoint stars, then I go in and finish it off myself using the focus remote. That final focus adjustment needed was a divorce waiting to happen, wife kept getting frustrated, I kept getting frustrated, etc. Now, it's no longer an issue, she's fired but happy :) Indeed I do stack as much as possible. I'm not a perfectionist though, because if I was I'd have installed the wedge mount I bought along with this scope I think 13 years ago? But the wedge point aren't perfect for the CPC800 and I've done well with the alt-az imaging so I guess it feels too comfortable to get away from. One of the big challenges is in the Ottawa valley, its not always automatic to have decent weather so when I do have the time to image (maybe 2-3 times per YEAR), I don't want to waste my time. When I imaged last month with the scope, it was the first time in 15 months! In saying that well I'm retiring in 4 months so having that available time is going to be enticing :) I also have an 80mm refractor that I had intention of putting on top of the scope so that I could use it for autoguiding purposes. It's been in storage for the ten years I've had it, I should just sell it lol I don't have a solar scope yet, looked at the PST often, probably some day because thats the one target we could look at every friggin week :) So my really good CPC800 (dubbed Seymore... cause it allows me to... see ... more... yuk yuk) is mostly used for imaging. But what to do for just viewing? Well a couple of years ago I bought this off a local amateur astronomer who bought it off the guy that made it. 16" of goodness and monstrosity built into one magical package. Paid a really good price for it too! I present to you... GIGANTOR!!! take a good look, the sucker is even on WHEELS!!! [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/BdGOJdg.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/DwxXcwJ.jpg[/IMG] p.s. yeah when pointed to the zenith (straight up) I do need to use a ladder lol [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Members online
No members online now.
Latest posts
Z
Strategies.
Latest: Zaphod77
Apr 18, 2024
WHO dunnit (1995)
Y
AtGames Legends pinball
Latest: yespage
Apr 15, 2024
Digital Pinball Cabinets
Master List of Issues: Pinball FX
Latest: Pinballwiz45b
Apr 13, 2024
Pinball FX (4)
We are back with a new site
Latest: Ian Longstaff
Apr 8, 2024
Other Pinball Games
Z
5X Jackpot build strategy (POTO)
Latest: Zaphod77
Apr 5, 2024
Phantom of the Opera (1990)
Home
Forums
Other Talk
Off-Topic/Forum Discussion
The Random Thought Thread
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top