Astro Photography - Equitorial Mount
Posted 07/01/2013 - 16:08
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The Astrotrac is very goood but not cheap, but worth a look.
Fletcher8.
Posted 07/01/2013 - 18:10
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Or if you're feeling brave and creative, you could always make a motorised Haig mount. Very cheap, and most rewarding once complete.
Paul
Paul
K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro
Posted 08/01/2013 - 00:28
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Thank you for the suggestions, I will take a look at the Haig mount and may be give that a go. How accurate is its tracking? I would be looking at exposures of 30 mins or more.
Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Posted 08/01/2013 - 07:22
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Hi
As regards "how accurate is a Haig mount" it depends on how accurately you make it and (as with an equatorial mount) how accurately you polar align it, and finally how much magnification you are aiming for. I would think for exposures of 30 mins or more you'd be pushing it. However a cheaper (and perhaps better) alternative would be to use a Haig mount and take a series of shorter exposures and then stack them using software. That way the stacked images will cancel any sensor noise, much better results than a single long exposure, and the alignment facilities in the stacking software will also cancel any alignment issues in the tracking mount. Win/win. Lots of advice on astrostacking software, mostly it's free. Further win.
Good luck and I'd be interested to see the results!
Paul
As regards "how accurate is a Haig mount" it depends on how accurately you make it and (as with an equatorial mount) how accurately you polar align it, and finally how much magnification you are aiming for. I would think for exposures of 30 mins or more you'd be pushing it. However a cheaper (and perhaps better) alternative would be to use a Haig mount and take a series of shorter exposures and then stack them using software. That way the stacked images will cancel any sensor noise, much better results than a single long exposure, and the alignment facilities in the stacking software will also cancel any alignment issues in the tracking mount. Win/win. Lots of advice on astrostacking software, mostly it's free. Further win.
Good luck and I'd be interested to see the results!
Paul
K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro
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829 posts
19 years
South East London
Does anyone have an suggestions for a reasonably priced make/model?
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon