ytwong wrote:
Thanks for the info. .. always want to try these things but Hong Kong is a heavily light polluted city so I could not try that unless I go travel, and I'm not sure if i want to carry that much when I travel.
Would removing the IR filter of the camera helps to make those images even better?
Hong Kong, Light pollution.... I bet there is a lot. As for the IR filter it will make the images better for sure. But I don't ever want to remove it from my D800E! I'd just buy a canon 60Da for the astrophotos.
Todd,
i ve always been on the cusp of getting one, but the constant reveiws of problems with the finder scope being loose, falling out etc ive never got one, but what is your thoughts on this.
parsons wrote:
Todd,
i ve always been on the cusp of getting one, but the constant reveiws of problems with the finder scope being loose, falling out etc ive never got one, but what is your thoughts on this.
simon
Hi Simon,
The polar scope is held on to the swing arm of the AstroTrac with three tiny rare earth magnets, The magnets do a good job of holding the scope, but it can be knocked loose quite easily. Don't let that discourage you from getting one of the astrotracs because they are so cool and so easy to use. Here is how I get by with my polar scope.
1. I set the AstroTrac up and aim it north with a rough alignment (eyeballing the alignment).
2. I attach my camera and move the polar swing arm into position, similar to how it is seen in the photos.
3. then I place the polar scope into the swing arm and align the AstroTrac by putting Polaris in the marked position on the reticle in the scope and rotate the scope so that the constellations seen on the scopes reticle match the real constellations in the sky. I make my fine adjustments on the gear head and position Polaris. THEN I remove the polar scope from the AstroTrac!
4. If the AstroTrac needs to be adjusted after moving my camera to a different part of the sky (this may need to be done sometimes depending on the weight of your camera & lens), then I will make sure the camera strap & MC-36 remote timer cable is not in the way of the polar scope swing arm and put the polar scope back in and check the alignment again & make the necessary adjustments, take the scope out again. If that helps you get one, then I encourage you to do so, just get the monfrotto jr gear head or the big gear head and a stable tripod. A solid wood surveyor tripod is nice, but they are expensive new, you may be able to find a used one.
Another tip and good use of common sense for the AstroTrac and it's polar scope would be to place some foam padding below the scope or a blanket folded over a few times, maybe even set it up in the grass. However a grassy area will not be as stable and hard dirt or a driveway. But I think most people complain about the scope falling out all the time may be because they leave it in during the shooting session and it gets knocked out. If you follow my tips and remove the scope after you align the AstroTrac, then you will not have a problem. I usually have mine set up with my tripod legs spread out one click (outward) for a much more stable and lower center of gravity. The tripod I have it on is stable and the legs have three extensions, I just lower them by one extension (highest part of the legs) and the polar scope is only about 36" above the ground. But I think a thick blanket below your scope will adequately support the polar scope if it should fall unexpectedly.
I hope this has helped you.
Todd wrote:
I see your confusion. I took two separate shots, one of the sky and the ground was blurred, the other was of the ground where the stars were trailed, the two still images were blended together as one. they were both 6 min exposures.
After reading your post and doing a little bit of research I went ahead and ordered the Astrotrac TT320X-AG & PS01 Polar Scope. I figured I was going to be waiting awhile for my D800E so playing with this until my D800E came in would be good training.
8 hours after placing the order for the Astrotrac, B&H sends out my (preordered since Feb 7th), D800E. The trick to getting the D800E must have something to do with ordering the Astrotrac
ytwong wrote:
Thanks for the info. .. always want to try these things but Hong Kong is a heavily light polluted city so I could not try that unless I go travel, and I'm not sure if i want to carry that much when I travel.
Would removing the IR filter of the camera helps to make those images even better?
It's just as bad here in Chicago. My plans on traveling 2000 miles to take pictures in the dark are nonexistent. THese photos make me want to, but it just won't happen.
Thanks for that, as you say, removing the finder woulkd be the best option once installed.
On a similar vain, talk to me about the live aspect with th "E" how is it focusing on said stars and how do you find it manual focusing with the 14-24?
Thanks for that, as you say, removing the finder woulkd be the best option once installed.
On a similar vain, talk to me about the live aspect with th "E" how is it focusing on said stars and how do you find it manual focusing with the 14-24?
s
The live view works quite well. The best way to use live view is to focus on a bright star like Vega. Once I see it on the LCD, I press the + button to zoom in all the way and then focus on the star, then I turn the AF switch on the side of the lens to off. At times I do grab the lens and forget I have it focused and I have to refocus again, but it's not a big deal. Many times the D800/e will auto focus on the star by itself but it's always best to check it with live view.
derry1 wrote:
those star parties remind me of my old astro days,, long nights and then sleep during the day,,
always a great group of people willing to share knowledge and equipment,,
love the photos and #5 is my fav,,
thanks for posting,,
Derry
Yep! I have been to the Texas star party for the last 21 years. It is so much fun and yes the sleep schedule is wacky. But hey, that's what astronomers do, right? Next years Texas star party is on may 4th, 2013.
Whats the longest focal length you've used on the astrotrac? Would it work well for something like the 300 f4?
I've used a 400mm on a Canon 7D with great results. That's probably about close to max I would think. It also depends a lot on your polar alignment. Every one might be a little different.
