RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

Grabbed this image last night in suburban NJ with a Sigma 100-400 C and 1.4TC on my Leica. Not happy with it but will try again. Biggest issue is nailing focus on such a dim subject with an AF lens and focus by wire. Wish I could find a MF long lens for Leica L mount, or one I could adapt to that. Any suggestions? T adapter perhaps on a small scope? And if I drop down the exposure to not blow out Jupiter, would I lose the moons? (This was shot at ISO 1600, f/9, 1.3 sec 560mm).

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SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I wouldn't be too disappointed, you got the Moons of Jupiter. So pretty dang good!
Run what Ya brung. (Old drag racing adage)
If you think you might like to get hooked on this space stuff, then you can explore the right equipment to get you where you want to go.

I spent a month deciding IF I wanted to image space, and WHAT in space.
Then another 4+ months finding out HOW to do it, and the right equipment to do it.
But I started out taking pictures with my camera, too.
To me, space is a lot like doing Macro Photography. Except the bugs move a lot slower....

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

If you're looking for a long manual focus lens, I'd definitely opt for a telescope. You'll probably find a reasonable telescope for considerably less money plus you have the option to add filters, still use your 1.4x and 2.0x TC's, etc. If you're really serious about Jupiter's surface features you're probably looking at something in the range of 2000++mm focal length (FL); 3000-5000mm being ideal if your sky conditions will handle this FL.

As for focus, look at using a Bahtinov mask. I use them for camera lenses and telescopes. Work great!

If you're looking to get the surface features of Jupiter and its Moons in one shot I think you're out of luck unless that Leica has one unbelievable dynamic range. The difference in exposure is seconds vs. hundredths of a second. To get the result you'd like will require a composite of long and short exposures.

Good luck... and above all, have fun!

bwa

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Since Brian mentioned the Bahtinov mask it reminded me of mine.
Mine is a metal one that I trimmed down to fit into a 4" PVC pipe fitting.
Then I shoved a short piece of 4" PVC pipe in to lock it in place.
I put strips of hook side Velcro in it to make it a slip-fit over my Dew shield.
So that works for the telescope.

Now a bonus is that the OD of the PVS fitting fits nicely inside my Tamron 150-600 mm telephoto lens.
So I'm a lucky Sleepy Dog! My mask works double duty.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I initially downloaded a pattern off the internet and cut my own from plastic For Sale signs; however, after clipping my fingers a couple of times with the Xacto knife I bought a few. AgenaAstro has a very nice selection and quite a few are adjustable over a fairly good range of sizes (https://agenaastro.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?p=2&q=bahtinov).

bwa

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I made my first ones, but I had some clear Vellum stock I could print on.
But I felt just buying one would be better. The plastic ones would begin to break up, so I found a metal one.
It makes an odd pattern though.
Looks like this. Notice it has 2 V-shapes in it.
I didn't know it would make the pattern it does. But it works well with my home made electronic focuser.
I modified mine to fit into a PVC cap I found at Lowe's big box store. (I think it is a test cap for pressure testing (?). Has a shoulder the mask sets against, and I pressed in a short ring of 4" PVC drain pipe to secure it.
Had to space it.
Slips over the outside of my dew shield. Never has aged or cracked like the plastic ones did.
This fitting was a bit big, but some loop side of Sticky Backed Velcro helped it fit good.
It slips right on nice and square.
Getting good focus has always be a bane of mine. But I think I'm getting better.
Not like wine, more like vinegar.

Sirius Focusing 2020-04-11 Metal Bahtinov mask

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Metal Bahtinov mask in PVC holder. Outside

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Metal Bahtinov mask inside view.

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