Ioptron Skytracker Pro tracking exercise
Apr 20, 2017 15:31:38 #
I've finally had opportunity to point this gizmo toward the stars. The image of the Rosette Nebula/NGC 2244 was made on April 12th so there was lots of competition from the Moon. I have the counterweight kit installed.
Nikon D700
Nikkor 70-200 f2.8
Imaged 200mm @ f2.8
ISO 2200
90 seconds
6 images stacked in Photoshop CS3...it is over-processed but the tracking results exceeded my expectations. Im anxious to gain more experience with this affordable tracker.
Dean
Nikon D700
Nikkor 70-200 f2.8
Imaged 200mm @ f2.8
ISO 2200
90 seconds
6 images stacked in Photoshop CS3...it is over-processed but the tracking results exceeded my expectations. Im anxious to gain more experience with this affordable tracker.
Dean
Apr 20, 2017 20:09:41 #
7awol wrote:
I've finally had opportunity to point this gizmo t... (show quote)
Very nice job Dean. Keep'em coming.
Welcome to the Astro Forum.
That Nikon 70-200mm lens is a good one.
I think you could turn down the ISO a little.
That should help with the noise.
Let your Post Processing be your friend.
Craig
Apr 20, 2017 20:29:12 #
CraigFair wrote:
Very nice job Dean. Keep'em coming.
Welcome to the Astro Forum.
That Nikon 70-200mm lens is a good one.
I think you could turn down the ISO a little.
That should help with the noise.
Let your Post Processing be your friend.
Craig
Welcome to the Astro Forum.
That Nikon 70-200mm lens is a good one.
I think you could turn down the ISO a little.
That should help with the noise.
Let your Post Processing be your friend.
Craig
Thanks...I'm enjoying the challenge. Lots to learn...I'll be back!
Apr 20, 2017 22:00:13 #
All in All, Dean, you have very nice looking stars with a nice Nebula showing..
Good signs! I look forward to any forward posts you care to share!
And from here, Welcome into Astro Imaging madness.
It's not the only way to go. But I think it is one of the funnest ways to go.
Even for me a post-processing retard-o.
Good signs! I look forward to any forward posts you care to share!
And from here, Welcome into Astro Imaging madness.
It's not the only way to go. But I think it is one of the funnest ways to go.
Even for me a post-processing retard-o.
Apr 20, 2017 23:47:01 #
Apr 21, 2017 00:07:12 #
7awol wrote:
I've finally had opportunity to point this gizmo t... (show quote)
Hope you don't mind, but did a few quick little tweaks...
Apr 21, 2017 09:11:53 #
I've been thinking about one of these for quite a while... Trouble is, I would also need to spend a fortune on a tripod tall enough to let me polar align it. Health issues prevent my bending into the required 's'-shape! Maybe one day...
Apr 21, 2017 09:27:47 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
Nice to see your results. I'm heading to OPT this morning and will probably order that same tracker. It looks really good. Did you get the hand controller? I've been using the earlier Sky Tracker, but like the higher weight limit, plus the counterweight option, and auroguider option.. Any other comments on that tracker?
Apr 21, 2017 10:10:10 #
[quote=dlmorris]Nice to see your results. I'm heading to OPT...
I do not know about a hand controller or auto guider option for this unit...the Ioptron Skytracker Pro was released last summer (?). There is a $2.00 app available that insures spot-on alignment to the Celestial North Pole based on your physical lat/lon and altitude. The polar scope has a lit (adjustable brightness) reticle that matches the image on the polar app making alignment quick, accurate and easy. Pretty cool. I hope to make a trip to Cherry Springs (our dark sky State Park near Coudersport Pa.) during the new Moon next week and give it a workout.
I do not know about a hand controller or auto guider option for this unit...the Ioptron Skytracker Pro was released last summer (?). There is a $2.00 app available that insures spot-on alignment to the Celestial North Pole based on your physical lat/lon and altitude. The polar scope has a lit (adjustable brightness) reticle that matches the image on the polar app making alignment quick, accurate and easy. Pretty cool. I hope to make a trip to Cherry Springs (our dark sky State Park near Coudersport Pa.) during the new Moon next week and give it a workout.
Apr 21, 2017 10:18:23 #
Europa wrote:
Hope you don't mind, but did a few quick little tweaks...
I like it...
Dean
Apr 21, 2017 10:29:06 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
[quote=7awol]
Ok. I didn't realize there was a counterweight adapter for that unit. I have the earlier tracker, which works well, but am planning on upgrading to the newest version, which will put me on a waiting list.... I'll keep the older one. Speaking of the polar alignment scope, using the phone app makes it one of the best and easiest to use in the industry, in my opinion, anyway, and I've used several.
dlmorris wrote:
Nice to see your results. I'm heading to OPT... b... (show quote)
Ok. I didn't realize there was a counterweight adapter for that unit. I have the earlier tracker, which works well, but am planning on upgrading to the newest version, which will put me on a waiting list.... I'll keep the older one. Speaking of the polar alignment scope, using the phone app makes it one of the best and easiest to use in the industry, in my opinion, anyway, and I've used several.
Apr 21, 2017 13:38:58 #
Bloke wrote:
I've been thinking about one of these for quite a while... Trouble is, I would also need to spend a fortune on a tripod tall enough to let me polar align it. Health issues prevent my bending into the required 's'-shape! Maybe one day...
You can also use a chair to sit while you align. This is how I do it.
Apr 21, 2017 13:40:44 #
Additionally, it is so quick to align that you are not in the uncomfortable position long.
Apr 22, 2017 08:12:09 #
JimH123 wrote:
You can also use a chair to sit while you align. This is how I do it.
Don't you need to be able to get your eye up to the device? I just find it hard to picture the process, and don't want to spend a bunch of money on something that I only use once and put on a shelf - too much stuff like that already!
Apr 22, 2017 08:16:36 #
Europa wrote:
Additionally, it is so quick to align that you are not in the uncomfortable position long.
It isn't just discomfort which gets in the way. If I get down 'low', then I cannot get up without pulling up on something, and if I use the tripod, that is going to mess up the alignment... I have had serious back issues since a car accident many years ago, and with dealing with that and the logistics around it, both my knees are pretty much shot...
I'm basically falling apart at the seams!
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