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Astrophotography - Blurry Moon

  • 02-10-2012 2:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭


    Hey just a question to anyone familiar with astrophotography

    I recently decided to buy a T-ring and a T adaptor and try taking a few pictures of the moon (all I can do for the moment as I dont have a motorized scope).

    So I got my tring and adaptor (nikon) last week and decided to hook it up to my Celestron XLT 150.

    The first thing I noticed is that I could not focus on infinity, after some digging I found out that apparently this is a known issue and the only solutions are: get a barlow lens (not sure if this will work so I wont be buying one just yet) or just connect the t-ring directly into the scope's focuser (to do this all is needed is to remove the 1.25 inches eyepiece adaptor of the focuser and screw the nikon t-ring into it)

    Now I have gone for the second option (focuser) and indeed, now I can get a proper focus (or so I think) but the picture seems blurry, out of focus (dont thing is a focus related issue).

    I am using an IR remote to trigger the picture and the camera is in mirrow up mode.

    I have seen people taking excellent pictures with my camera (Nikon D7000) so I know the camera can perform...

    Any suggestions?

    See yourself

    This is a picture of the moon (obviously) taken through the focuser with the camera connected to the telescope (picture has been reduced down to 90%)

    moon reduced.JPG

    This is a cropped section of the moon from the original picture (above before being reduced) at actual resolution.

    moon cropped actual res.JPG


    And this is a picture of the moon using my Sigma OS 2.8 70-200 (at max foc length 200), this last picture is actually cropped but is still very sharp compared to the other one.

    moon 200 reduced.JPG



    The pictures should be very sharp but so far nothing...


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    You have quite a heavy camera, are you locking your focuser after you get focus?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    You have quite a heavy camera, are you locking your focuser after you get focus?

    I noticed that the focuser wobbles a bit but I wasnt sure this could affect the picture. I noticed that yesterday while trying to find a reason for all this. But I thought it was "normal" or at least, I didnt see a way to fix this...

    So sorry if this seems like a stupid question but how do I lock the focuser? I could hold the camera with a monopod but I am not sure if this will work

    Thanks!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    I was thinking, there is a screw on top of the focuser (and 3 holes, one on each side)

    Maybe this is it, I will look into ii later and report back.

    Thanks again


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    I am not familliar with your scope but there should be a screw on the focuser (usually a big one).when you tighten it you can rotate the focusing wheels but the focuser wouldnt move.If the focuser is loose there shuld be another screw (usualy a small one) which tightens your focuser so you can mount heavier payloads.
    The simple way to test it is to mount your camera to OTA daytime and rotate it 90degrees camera facing down.If you notice any movement at all, it means your equipement is too heavy for the focuser to handle.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    I am not familliar with your scope but there should be a screw on the focuser (usually a big one).when you tighten it you can rotate the focusing wheels but the focuser wouldnt move.If the focuser is loose there shuld be another screw (usualy a small one) which tightens your focuser so you can mount heavier payloads.
    The simple way to test it is to mount your camera to OTA daytime and rotate it 90degrees camera facing down.If you notice any movement at all, it means your equipement is too heavy for the focuser to handle.

    So you were indeed right. The focuser was loose hence the lack of sharpness in my pictures.

    The results are quite something (the picture has been reduced down to 30% the original size)

    moon reduced 30pc b&w.jpg


    However is still not as sharp as I was expecting, however, I think the problem is with the Tring as it does not seem to fix to the camera properly. I mean it locks but if you twist it you can feel it move slightly... I think its going back to Amazon along with the t adapter.

    Thanks again Nerro


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Hi Bohrio - I have the same camera as you and too recently wanted to get into Astrophotography more... ive yet to get a telescope for my camera yet and will certainly look into more about the problems you are having before i buy anything. Until then ive been using my Dad's 500mm prime F4 lens . with a a monfrotto 393 tripod mount it works perfectly and doesnt shake at all when locked in correctly.
    Heres my shot of the moon i took the other night ( cropped by 60 % and sharpened and extra 30% )

    8045254776_5331bc64f9_z.jpg


    HI Res version.. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8045254776_aedd5e476b_k.jpg

    Been trying to figure out if i can do anything else with it ...like get orions nebula or something ...?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭Kersh


    I have not come across a T-ring being loose in a camera, bit odd that!

    Can you get what looks like sharp focus when you look at the camera screen? Or is it never sharp?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Kersh wrote: »
    I have not come across a T-ring being loose in a camera, bit odd that!

    Can you get what looks like sharp focus when you look at the camera screen? Or is it never sharp?

    It looks sharp enough if I look through the viewfinder, however, when I take a picture is nowhere near that sharp.

    I still think this is all related to the t ring or maybe the surface the CG mount is on (its on the balcony).

    Here is a vid of my t ring, I am not sure if you can tell from looking at the video but it just doesnt seem to lock properly (sorry about the quality hard to get focus from that distance)



    Do you think that could affect the picture sharpness?
    Iancar29 wrote:
    Been trying to figure out if i can do anything else with it ...like get orions nebula or something ...?

    That's a really nice and sharp picture, I have seen people take good pictures of nebulas with a 500 mm but you will need a motor for your tripod, so it can follow earths rotation as otherwise the exposures will be too blurry (you will be taking long exposures pictures).

    My telescope is fine for astrophotography, and the nikon d7000 is great too. But you will need to add a motor to the scope if you want to take deep space pictures.

    Handiest scopes for astrophotography I believe are smith-cassegrain as it is very easy to attach a camera to them (as well as a computer). But they are expensive (i think they go for around 800 euro for a 4" scope.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    So you were indeed right. The focuser was loose hence the lack of sharpness in my pictures.

    The results are quite something (the picture has been reduced down to 30% the original size)

    moon reduced 30pc b&w.jpg


    However is still not as sharp as I was expecting, however, I think the problem is with the Tring as it does not seem to fix to the camera properly. I mean it locks but if you twist it you can feel it move slightly... I think its going back to Amazon along with the t adapter.

    Thanks again Nerro

    I recon the focus is still not quite there yet but i dont think its due because of T ring.I have one that has some play in it aswell but here are some pictures taken :
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/68202745@N08/

    The thing with almost full moon you really have to play around with exposure and ISO settings to get good results.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Handiest scopes for astrophotography I believe are smith-cassegrain as it is very easy to attach a camera to them (as well as a computer). But they are expensive (i think they go for around 800 euro for a 4" scope.

    Not quite.smith cassegrain's are really good for solar system (planets etc.) you can go for DSO but usually it means you have to add focal reducers, wedges etc. Really expensive for good ones....
    The best rig on budget for a begginer is EQ mount (motorized) with APO triplet or doublet refractor, newts are good aswell but i would think that they are for more advanced users as you WILL NEED to collimate each time you use it unless you have observatory....but the good thing is that they are cheap.
    And if you are loaded then ultimate scope is Richie cretain....but they cost a small fortune....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    I recon the focus is still not quite there yet but i dont think its due because of T ring.I have one that has some play in it aswell but here are some pictures taken :
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/68202745@N08/

    The thing with almost full moon you really have to play around with exposure and ISO settings to get good results.

    Those pics are just absolutely beautiful... exactly what I wish to accomplish one day...

    I have actually come accross those pictures before, never thought they could belong to a boardsie.... ;) Seriously good pics

    Ok, I will try playing with different exposures. So far I have tried anything from 1/100 to 1/320 at ISO 100-400 (just with the moon). I might also try setting up the scope on a different surface (my balcony floor has a wooden frame covering it) as I believe this is not helping me getting a steady picture.

    Glad to hear newtonians are good, I might upgrade mine and get a motor, or I could buy a bigger scope (8") already with a motor but I am not worried about this yet. Probably the motor will be the best option.

    Until then I wont bother with deep space pictures.

    Thanks again everyone


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    Not quite.smith cassegrain's are really good for solar system (planets etc.) you can go for DSO but usually it means you have to add focal reducers, wedges etc. Really expensive for good ones....
    The best rig on budget for a begginer is EQ mount (motorized) with APO triplet or doublet refractor, newts are good aswell but i would think that they are for more advanced users as you WILL NEED to collimate each time you use it unless you have observatory....but the good thing is that they are cheap.
    And if you are loaded then ultimate scope is Richie cretain....but they cost a small fortune....

    uuummm, nice scopes Richie Cret.

    I dont know what you mean by a small fortune

    scope

    :eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,456 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    Bohrio wrote: »
    uuummm, nice scopes Richie Cret.

    I dont know what you mean by a small fortune

    scope

    :eek:

    That's a large fortune.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    How can i attach a motor to my tripod if its not a telescope one?... this is the same tripod i used ..


    The i know i need a motor to track the stars across the sky but wouldnt it just make a tripod turn from left to right and not at an angle , or does that not matter? ... :/

    It just feels like i have everything i need bar one thing to get the type of shots it want :(

    I remember looking at a tripod mount (motorized) some time ago, wasnt cheap but it was apparently very good

    Astrotrac

    For that price you can probably buy a motorized telescope tbh...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Bohrio wrote: »
    I remember looking at a tripod mount (motorized) some time ago, wasnt cheap but it was apparently very good

    Astrotrac

    For that price you can probably buy a motorized telescope tbh...

    Cheers man... your right ... i was looking at this Meade Ac 80/400 ...

    Do you think it would give decent shots like Nerro's in any way?

    I do be itching when we get a clear night here to be able to nail down something! Ill post a shot shortly that i did actually take with the 500mm... had to do it at a real fast exposure as the trails start real quick at 500mm!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Heres one of the 500mm Star shots.

    8050380685_cf00278127_z.jpg

    Exposure 3 seconds ( after 3 trails start! )
    Aperture f/4.0
    Focal Length 500 mm
    ISO Speed 3200

    Btw took this out my back here in Finglas so its not the darkest of skies about.. :(

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41948286@N02/8050380685/sizes/z/in/photostream/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Honeslty I dont know!

    Here you see some examples of pictures taken with an 80/450 mm scope as my scope

    link

    I have the feeling he has probably a 8" or 10" scope but I could be wrong! ;) I am hoping he will tell us!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    I remember looking at a tripod mount (motorized) some time ago, wasnt cheap but it was apparently very good

    Astrotrac

    For that price you can probably buy a motorized telescope tbh...
    astrotrac wedge is only a part of the mount.....you will need a verry good solid tripod,ball head, polar scope and some other bits and pieces, more or less it works out at 1000e plus as if you buy a dodgy tripod or ball head the whole rig becomes useless.but it is portable.you literally can bring it on your hollidays or anywhere you want as it weights only a couple kilos.for a budget option motorised EQ3 will do the same thing only its heavier and a lot cheaper.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Honeslty I dont know!

    Here you see some examples of pictures taken with an 80/450 mm scope as my scope

    link

    I have the feeling he has probably a 8" or 10" scope but I could be wrong! ;) I am hoping he will tell us!

    Not quite.....
    I am using acsession 80mm triplet apo as my main scope on NEQ6 pro mount and 80mm celestron pigybacked for guiding and unmoded nikon D5000
    your results depends entirelly on the mount you are using.you could buy a scope worth 20k but if your mount is not up for the job then you aint going to get anything...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    Heres one of the 500mm Star shots.

    8050380685_cf00278127_z.jpg

    Exposure 3 seconds ( after 3 trails start! )
    Aperture f/4.0
    Focal Length 500 mm
    ISO Speed 3200

    Btw took this out my back here in Finglas so its not the darkest of skies about.. :(
    The ISO seems a bit high...or you were taking the picture when it was not completely dark?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Nerro wrote: »
    The ISO seems a bit high...or you were taking the picture when it was not completely dark?

    Ye true i was just seeing what else it would pick up at higher ISO... 800 wouldve done fine.

    Basically im probably gonna get something like this in the next week or 2 . http://www.astroshop.eu/celestron-maksutov-telescope-mc-90-1250-nexstar-90-slt-goto/p,20042
    And just wondering what else would i need apart from the Nikon t-ring adapter? ...

    Cheers!

    :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    Nerro wrote: »
    The ISO seems a bit high...or you were taking the picture when it was not completely dark?

    Ye true i was just seeing what else it would pick up at higher ISO... 800 wouldve done fine.

    Basically im probably gonna get something like this in the next week or 2 . http://www.astroshop.eu/celestron-maksutov-telescope-mc-90-1250-nexstar-90-slt-goto/p,20042
    And just wondering what else would i need apart from the Nikon t-ring adapter? ...

    Cheers!

    :)
    Honestly @ F/12 this OTA would be too "slow" for any kind of deep space photography, but it would be brilliant for planetary work and you would need a webcam like spc one and webcam adapter.Plus the mount is not best suited for photography.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Nerro wrote: »
    Honestly @ F/12 this OTA would be too "slow" for any kind of deep space photography, but it would be brilliant for planetary work and you would need a webcam like spc one and webcam adapter.Plus the mount is not best suited for photography.

    Hmmm i probably rather nebula shots tbh.. :) ...

    Any link then to one you could get decent shots with ?... Budget around 500 .

    Whats your one?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭Kersh


    Bohrio wrote: »
    It looks sharp enough if I look through the viewfinder, however, when I take a picture is nowhere near that sharp.

    I still think this is all related to the t ring or maybe the surface the CG mount is on (its on the balcony).
    Handiest scopes for astrophotography I believe are smith-cassegrain as it is very easy to attach a camera to them (as well as a computer). But they are expensive (i think they go for around 800 euro for a 4" scope.


    I cant imagine the T-ring is the problem there. Bear in mind it can take a good while to nail focus just right. And its critical to the pic, so worth taking the time.


    Scopewise, if you want to do DSO pics on a budget, then a reflector on a motorised EQ mount is the only way to go. Collimation of a reflector isnt too hard once you do it a few times.

    If you dont fancy collimation and maintenance, then a simple refractor, achromatic, like a Startravel 120, or Evostar 120 is pretty decent. But you will get a bit of false colour around bright objects, like planets.

    If you dont like the sound of that then you are into ED Refractors, with double and triple ED lenses, and that pushes the budget up.

    The mount is very important though, as more than likely you will keep it and upgrade the scope as you go along. HEQ5 sized is the minimum future-proofed mount. EQ3 would do the job if you are pretty sure you wont be putting big scopes on it . . . but aperture fever usually takes over, and your scopes will only get bigger and better!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    Nerro wrote: »
    Honestly @ F/12 this OTA would be too "slow" for any kind of deep space photography, but it would be brilliant for planetary work and you would need a webcam like spc one and webcam adapter.Plus the mount is not best suited for photography.

    Hmmm i probably rather nebula shots tbh.. :) ...

    Any link then to one you could get decent shots with ?... Budget around 500 .

    Whats your one?
    Unfortunately you have to at least double your budged for a decent SECOND HAND set up....If you have a 500mm lens already I would buy a HEQ5 mount and mount your camera, that way you will get 1min exposures. If you want longer exposures just add some cheap 80mm scope and a webcam for guiding ,piggy back your camera and away you go :)
    The alt az mount you are looking at is useless for DSO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Kersh wrote: »
    I cant imagine the T-ring is the problem there. Bear in mind it can take a good while to nail focus just right. And its critical to the pic, so worth taking the time.

    I have given up! I tried again yesterday, changing exposures, iso etc... no much improvement, I was hoping to see a sharp moon but nothing, the moon looks sharp through the eyepiece but nowhere as sharp when I look at the picture.

    I am thinking it could be the scope itself... although the pictures look sharp enough through the eyepiece.

    I need to check but unless I am wrong the camera shouldnt be the problem as I have taken sharp pictures with it before, I might check this tonight.

    Something I have noticed is that if I zoom in the moon using the live viewfinder the moon doesnt seem as sharp as it does when using the camera eyepiece

    I have also tried focusing on a ie a traffic sign and I can't get a perfect focus or sharp letters (it looks ok through the eyepiece though but that's probabl because I am not zooming in).

    Although it shouldnt be necessary I have collimated the scope but this made no difference.

    I am just giving up for the moment, no astrophotography for me I am afraid at least for a while... now I am depressed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Kersh wrote: »
    I cant imagine the T-ring is the problem there. Bear in mind it can take a good while to nail focus just right. And its critical to the pic, so worth taking the time.

    I have given up! I tried again yesterday, changing exposures, iso etc... no much improvement, I was hoping to see a sharp moon but nothing, the moon looks sharp through the eyepiece but nowhere as sharp when I look at the picture.

    I am thinking it could be the scope itself... although the pictures look sharp enough through the eyepiece.

    I need to check but unless I am wrong the camera shouldnt be the problem as I have taken sharp pictures with it before, I might check this tonight.

    Something I have noticed is that if I zoom in the moon using the live viewfinder the moon doesnt seem as sharp as it does when using the camera eyepiece

    I have also tried focusing on a ie a traffic sign and I can't get a perfect focus or sharp letters (it looks ok through the eyepiece though but that's probabl because I am not zooming in).

    Although it shouldnt be necessary I have collimated the scope but this made no difference.

    I am just giving up for the moment, no astrophotography for me I am afraid at least for a while... now I am depressed
    Well that's Astrophotography...you try, fail and try again.thats the only way to learn.when shooting DSO I use only half of the images I take as others are rubbish.
    If you are from Dublin area, myself and few other lads are thinking to head to sugar loaf this weekend for some observing (depending on weather) you are welcome to join if you want to get few pointers what are you doing wrong.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Can i not just buy an astrotrack http://www.astrotrac.com/Default.aspx?p=tt320x-ag , and hook that up to my camera and tripod? :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    Can i not just buy an astrotrack http://www.astrotrac.com/Default.aspx?p=tt320x-ag , and hook that up to my camera and tripod? :(
    You can indeed, but again you will have to double your budget...as I mentioned before on this thread...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Nerro wrote: »
    You can indeed, but again you will have to double your budget...as I mentioned before on this thread...

    I might just do that... i already have a monfrotto tripod and get get a lend of a monfrotto ball head.


    Thanks for all the info man!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    Well that's Astrophotography...you try, fail and try again.thats the only way to learn.when shooting DSO I use only half of the images I take as others are rubbish.
    If you are from Dublin area, myself and few other lads are thinking to head to sugar loaf this weekend for some observing (depending on weather) you are welcome to join if you want to get few pointers what are you doing wrong.

    That sounds like a great plan! I am away on Saturday, I suppose no chance this is happening on Friday or Sunday?

    Ta


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Bohrio wrote: »
    That sounds like a great plan! I am away on Saturday, I suppose no chance this is happening on Friday or Sunday?

    Ta

    I posted about doing something like this in the photography forum. I there was spear transport and obviously an invite id love to go too.

    Currently the weather charts show Saturday being mostly clear up to midnight but an approaching front early in the morning not pinned down just yet.


    Have you gotten shots of the milky way from the sugar loaf before Nerro?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    That sounds like a great plan! I am away on Saturday, I suppose no chance this is happening on Friday or Sunday?

    Ta
    Its all weather depending.If friday will be good then why not.You have to take every oportunity with this weather :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    Have you gotten shots of the milky way from the sugar loaf before Nerro?
    unfortunatelly not.i dont have a good lense for that :(
    But believe it or not sugar loaf happens to be not the darkest place in wicklow.There was some research done :
    http://www.irishastronomy.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=20&id=95103&Itemid=40


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Nerro wrote: »
    unfortunatelly not.i dont have a good lense for that :(
    But believe it or not sugar loaf happens to be not the darkest place in wicklow.There was some research done :
    http://www.irishastronomy.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=20&id=95103&Itemid=40

    :( ... i'd love to get a chance again to capture the milky way!!

    this shot is from my storm chase trip to the US back in June..

    7433379220_426dfe2546_z.jpg

    HI res here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/41948286@N02/7433379220/sizes/k/in/photostream/

    Nice Research there! , i find the best place nearest me ( finglas ) for decent enough skies is up past St.Margarets (near the airport ) . Usually go there for Meteor showers .

    Latest GFS chart for friday evening shows cloud clearing to the SE just after sunset . ( could change on next run)

    223031.png


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    wow thats a nice image!would like to see what you would get with tracking!
    Hope its going to be all good for friday as it looks like saturday is rubish weather wise...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Iancar29 wrote: »
    :( ... i'd love to get a chance again to capture the milky way!!

    this shot is from my storm chase trip to the US back in June..


    Wow, nice! I was so close to do the same during my visit to Grand Canyon... but I ran out of time!

    What lens did you use?

    I think my Tokina will be good for this but I havent had a chance to try.

    The clearest view of the night Sky I have seen in Ireland was outside Tullow... you could see the perfectly the shape of the milky way.. if I had my camera then!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    Nerro wrote: »
    wow thats a nice image!would like to see what you would get with tracking!
    Hope its going to be all good for friday as it looks like saturday is rubish weather wise...

    Cheers! Ye , i cant only imagine what i could of gotten there wit tracking!

    Saturday doest too bad, but instead of the cloud rolling away its coming towards us so there'd be a smaller window of opportunity !
    Bohrio wrote: »
    Wow, nice! I was so close to do the same during my visit to Grand Canyon... but I ran out of time!

    What lens did you use?

    I think my Tokina will be good for this but I havent had a chance to try.

    The clearest view of the night Sky I have seen in Ireland was outside Tullow... you could see the perfectly the shape of the milky way.. if I had my camera then!

    Thanks , that was using my 10-20mm Sigma f3.5 30 seconds ISO 3200 ...

    Best in HD


    Ive seen a good few photos on FB by Conor Ledwith if you want to look him up . Always gets the milky way in Galway the lil fecker ha. Gets great composition too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭Kersh


    Where are you located Bohrio, sounds like something is amiss somewhere. If you are near Julianstown I can have a look for you?

    Ill prob be headin up to Sugarloaf if its going ahead as one of my customers invited me, in fact he will be bringing a HEQ5 Synscan and an 8" reflector - a good astro-p setup to begin with.

    I think another of the guys brings an EQ6, a monster of a mount :D


    @ Ian, beautiful pic! 10/10


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Kersh wrote: »
    Where are you located Bohrio, sounds like something is amiss somewhere. If you are near Julianstown I can have a look for you?

    Ill prob be headin up to Sugarloaf if its going ahead as one of my customers invited me, in fact he will be bringing a HEQ5 Synscan and an 8" reflector - a good astro-p setup to begin with.

    I think another of the guys brings an EQ6, a monster of a mount :D


    @ Ian, beautiful pic! 10/10

    Right in the opposite side of you! I live in Sandyford.

    I am sure there is something I am not doing right, I want to try playing with the camera and make sure I havent changed a setting by mistake or something.

    I am away on saturday, so I think I am going to miss this one but I will be up for the next one if am I still welcome!

    ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Kersh wrote: »
    Where are you located Bohrio, sounds like something is amiss somewhere. If you are near Julianstown I can have a look for you?

    Ill prob be headin up to Sugarloaf if its going ahead as one of my customers invited me, in fact he will be bringing a HEQ5 Synscan and an 8" reflector - a good astro-p setup to begin with.

    I think another of the guys brings an EQ6, a monster of a mount :D


    @ Ian, beautiful pic! 10/10

    Right in the opposite side of you! I live in Sandyford.

    I am sure there is something I am not doing right, I want to try playing with the camera and make sure I havent changed a setting by mistake or something.

    I am away on saturday, so I think I am going to miss this one but I will be up for the next one if am I still welcome!

    ;)
    We are going to go ahead for tonight as Saturday is a no go according to forecast
    http://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/dublin/207931/astronomy/207931
    Where abouts in sandyford do you live? I live in Blackglen myself :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    We are going to go ahead for tonight as Saturday is a no go according to forecast
    http://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/dublin/207931/astronomy/207931
    Where abouts in sandyford do you live? I live in Blackglen myself :)

    I live at the Beacon

    So what time is that then? it is looking pretty cloudy to me!!!! :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Nerro wrote: »
    We are going to go ahead for tonight as Saturday is a no go according to forecast
    http://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/dublin/207931/astronomy/207931
    Where abouts in sandyford do you live? I live in Blackglen myself :)

    I live at the Beacon

    So what time is that then? it is looking pretty cloudy to me!!!! :(
    Well according to all the satellite images it should clear up.
    9 o'clock meet up in sugar loaf car park


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »
    Well according to all the satellite images it should clear up.
    9 o'clock meet up in sugar loaf car park

    ok then... Sugar loaf then.

    Where in sugar loaf is it? Sorry about that... I imagine there is only one but I have never been to sugar loaf... I must ask the wife

    I will wait until 8 and see how the weather is looking then?

    fingers crossed!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Where in sugar loaf is it? Sorry about that... I imagine there is only one but I have never been to sugar loaf... I must ask the wife
    Here is a map for you
    https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.145638,-6.15567&spn=0.002767,0.006899&t=h&z=17&msid=107588152882591412863.00048a022e46cf818c014&source=embed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Nerro wrote: »

    I am so sorry I missed it...

    Good thing about being "grounded" at home again is that I got the chance to practice a bit more, now I am not sure of what I did but I think things have improved

    8058023547_3ec61e0b2b_b.jpg

    Really looking forward to the next meeting!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    ok... so after the partial success with the moon I decided to bring my camera and my tripod down to Mayo and try some milky way shots...

    So I honestly dont have a clue of what I am doing in regards post editing etc but in fairness I thought it was going to be much worse...

    8064330398_e76fa45eb7_z.jpg

    I say the picture would have been much nicer if it wasnt for the moon, can't wait for a moonless clear sky

    I particulary like this one... 1 am and almost a full moon... I like the stars in the back ground but the picture looks like if its daylight

    8064416833_397322b784_c.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    Glad to see that you are finally getting good results.persistance does pay off :)


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