Beehive Cluster
Mar 10, 2015 23:44:59 #
I didn't bother setting up the equatorial drive last night. It was real clear out and I decided to shoot the Beehive cluster.
First shot is with a Tamrom 24-70mm lens taken at 6sec at F2.8 using a Sony A99 at ISO 6400. I went for as long as I could go without generating star trails. Jupiter is in the lower portion grossly overexposed.
Second shot, I changed lenses and put on the 300mm Tokina F2.8. Again, using the Sony A99 at ISO 6400. This time, shot for 2 sec to avoid star trails.
Both processed in Lightroom and NIK Viveza 2.
Had I used the equatorial drive, I'm sure this would be better, but it was right up there close to Jupiter, so I went for it.
First shot is with a Tamrom 24-70mm lens taken at 6sec at F2.8 using a Sony A99 at ISO 6400. I went for as long as I could go without generating star trails. Jupiter is in the lower portion grossly overexposed.
Second shot, I changed lenses and put on the 300mm Tokina F2.8. Again, using the Sony A99 at ISO 6400. This time, shot for 2 sec to avoid star trails.
Both processed in Lightroom and NIK Viveza 2.
Had I used the equatorial drive, I'm sure this would be better, but it was right up there close to Jupiter, so I went for it.
Mar 11, 2015 08:56:56 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
I like the first one best, because it gives a perspective. Very nice, especially considering it was just a tripod shot.
Mar 11, 2015 18:30:09 #
JimH123 wrote:
I didn't bother setting up the equatorial drive la... (show quote)
Really nice job Jim.
Mar 11, 2015 18:30:09 #
Mar 12, 2015 21:24:56 #
:thumbup: :thumbup:
I really like these, I'm finding that I prefer these types of shots OR LONG star trails the most.
At least for now.
My tastes seems to keep me guessing :lol:
GT
I really like these, I'm finding that I prefer these types of shots OR LONG star trails the most.
At least for now.
My tastes seems to keep me guessing :lol:
GT
Mar 12, 2015 23:48:47 #
GTinSoCal wrote:
:thumbup: :thumbup:
I really like these, I'm finding that I prefer these types of shots OR LONG star trails the most.
At least for now.
My tastes seems to keep me guessing :lol:
GT
I really like these, I'm finding that I prefer these types of shots OR LONG star trails the most.
At least for now.
My tastes seems to keep me guessing :lol:
GT
Thank you.
Setting up the equatorial mount is no spur of the moment thing which is why I don't do it very often. I have a spot marked in the back yard to place the tripod. I have to get all set up before the sun completely sets. I need at least a little light to see through the alignment scope to fine tune the position of Polaris. But it has to be dark enough to see Polaris. Then I have it align on two other stars and calibrate on a couple more, and by then, all set to go. It does take more than 30 min to align. I am doing this with a Celestron CG-5 drive.
Thus it is is also fun to see what I can capture with just the camera + lens only when not on the drive.
Mar 12, 2015 23:56:41 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
Whatever you do, don't get an IOptron Sky Tracker or similar device, or you'll be seeing what you can get with your camera + lens + a tracking device that takes almost 5 minutes to set up! You'd be amazed....
Mar 13, 2015 00:45:50 #
dlmorris wrote:
Whatever you do, don't get an IOptron Sky Tracker or similar device, or you'll be seeing what you can get with your camera + lens + a tracking device that takes almost 5 minutes to set up! You'd be amazed....
5 whole minutes!
I kind of like the thought of a unit like that and taking it to a spot with realy dark skies at night. The CG-5 must weigh about 40-50 pounds. And then there is the 22 pounts of counter weights. And then the 12v battery to drive it. And then there is the 8" reflector scope to mount and align. And then since the camera is up too high to actually look closely at the LCD screen, I hook it up to an external LCD screen that also runs off the 12V supply. But once set up, it works really good.
But from my light polluted back yard, I can't manage more than about a 30 sec shot.
Mar 13, 2015 01:20:46 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
Yep, I know all about those larger scopes! I have a 10" LX-200, a Losmandy GM-8 mount that I mount either an 8" optical tube (Meade or Celestron) or a couple of smaller but quality refractors, and auto guilders and all, and I've gotten good shots with them, but they seem to be getting heavier these days, and I don't get out as often, but if you've seen any of my wide angle Milky Way shots, and the late Comet LoveJoy, they were taken with just a camera and wide angle to mild telephoto lens and the Iopton Sky tracker....which by the way, uses 4 AAA batteries. I may do some more this weekend and next. It's a wonderful grab-&-go tracking device! But it sounds like you do indeed have a very nice setup for planets and deep sky imaging!
Mar 15, 2015 01:54:04 #
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