[Chaos-l] Astrophotography start up?

[Steven Christensen]

Thanks for the quick response Mark.   I was inspired by these two
youtube videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11d-JbxXGAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0JSTF8SGi4

as something to try before I get into tracking and telescopes.   In
the videos, they are able to image most interesting objects from
constellations to Messier objects etc.  Not to the level of a
telescope, but pretty interesting for someone like me who wants to
learn the sky and record what I have learned.

I will go with the 60Da.   Any tripod recommendations?

I also got the Regim software that was discussed a bit in the first
video.   I use Macs but have both running.

I will also get the BackyardEOS.  I don't run Windows, but that is
simple to fix.  I can run it on a Mac if I have to.

I will look around about the Canon lens issue on the web and see what
I can find out.

Steve C.


On Sat, Mar 16, 2013 at 11:25 PM, Mark Montazer <mark at montazer.org> wrote:
>>  I want to do things without telescope or clock drive for now until I
>> learn more.
>
> Without a motor drive/tracking mount, your maximum exposure with no star
> trails will be severely limited. There's a web based calculator that'll help
> you estimate exposures: http://www.sceneplanner.com/tool3.php
>
>> So, I am considering
>
> The equipment looks good.
>
>> Does it make sense to use a Telrad or something similar to aim the camera
>> to interesting objects?
>
> You can, but I find that at the shorter focal lengths it's not necessary. At
> focal lengths above 400mm a finder becomes very useful.
>
>> What lenses are useful?
>
> Depends on what your goal is. I have no experience with Canon lenses, but be
> keep in mind (for future reference) that all camera lenses and almost all
> refractors, even APO's, fail to focus infrared light properly. This will
> result in star 'bloat' on the more IR intense objects.
>
>> If I decide to add a telescope later, is this camera useful for that?
>
> Most definitely. You'll need a t-ring specific to your camera and possibly a
> t-adapter depending on the focuser of the scope you end up getting.
>
>> What about external connections to a laptop or iPad etc?
>
> I'm not familiar with Canon PC connections but you should check out Backyard
> EOS which is a Canon specific astronomy software. There's a big community
> surrounding it and at least one fellow at the recent star party was using
> it.
>
> So the bigger question is what are you hoping to image?
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 16, 2013 at 10:20 PM, Steve Christensen <steve at smc.vnet.net>
> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I hope it is OK to ask this here.  I am really enjoying starting some
>> astrophotography and want to move up a little.  I want to do things without
>> telescope or clock drive for now until I learn more.   So, I am considering
>>
>> Canon 60Da  (I have some Canon lenses already)
>> Canon TC803N Remote Timer
>> A new Tripod - suggestions?
>> Maybe an IR filter for non astro things
>>
>> Use the Deep Sky Stacker software and Photoshop which I have already. Does
>> it make sense to use a Telrad or something similar to aim the camera to
>> interesting objects?  What lenses are useful?  If I decide to add a
>> telescope later, is this camera useful for that?
>>
>> What do you folks suggest about this or other options?  I have learned
>> that a number of you are extreme experts at this, so I hope you will be
>> patient with a real newbie.  What about external connections to a laptop or
>> iPad etc?
>>
>> Right now, I am getting what little I know from YouTube videos and Google
>> searches.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Steve C.
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>
>