View single post by Robert

Posted: Mon Apr 1st, 2019 05:32

Joined:	Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
Location:	South Lakeland, UK
Posts:	4066
Status:	Offline

Not quite clear on what you mean... Given my experience last night I am leaning towards a DR-3 right angle eyepiece. The added complexity of electronic devices is unwelcome. Time is a major factor and faffing about with these electronic things is very time consuming and frustrating when they don't always respond as expected. Unless I can get a simple, cheap dedicated mono camera with low light capability, I think I will try a right angle eyepiece, they are simple and clear. That will get the job done without adding complexity. I need to speak with my buddy, he has right angle eyepieces, I could maybe try one first.

OK, I have pix.

This was the viewpoint, on Kirkby Moor, overlooking the Duddon Estuary. D800 with Nikkor 16mm fisheye lens. Note the depth of focus Chris!!! lol

The three glowing patches in the sky to the right Sellafield, Whitehaven and Workington.

This is the first set, I think they are of the Northern stars of Orion's belt, bottom right, I had intended to centre on the belt but the camera must have moved, camera on the EQ mount but motor not running. Ten 15sec exposures taken at 30 second intervals f/5.6. D800 with 70-300 VR Lens (VR and AF turned off)

This was the best single exposure of the set of 34 at 100%, round stars, no trailing.

This was the worst single exposure of the set at 100%, no trailing but atmospheric disturbance has resulted in a poor image.

This is a stacked image of the best nine exposures

This is a stacked image of all 34 exposures, very little trailing but a disturbed and less than crisp image.

All in all I am delighted. The effort of creating the heavy duty mount has been worthwhile, the adjustments work well and the alignment is accurate enough. Good Polar wedge mounts are very expensive, nowhere near as robust as mine which has cost zilch. I am unlikely to want to use it far from the car so the weight isn't really an issue. The weight contributes a great deal to the rock solid foundation it provides. Viewing through the Polar scope isn't as easy now but it's still entirely possible. Have to tidy the workshop now then I can turn my attention to a bit of refining.

____________________
Robert.