In time I will learn to process this type of image, so the stars are brought more. But this image was taken on a static tripod. Uluru (Ayers Rock), lower right hand corner, with Orion in the top left.

Regards

Gary

I heard that Perth had it's hottest day on record, so I guess that a flask and gloves may not be required. I may add rum to my list. A compass is a good idea, I use it to help me polar align. But here is my first nights attempt with my o-gps1. FA50mm 1.4, stopped down a couple of stops. Comet Lovejoy, with the Pleiades. Also with monsoon clouds and light pollution thrown in. Since then, all we have had is clouds, and more clouds. Not the greatest of pictures, but taken from my front yard, to show what this little unit can do.

Gary

Hi Gary,

It depends what you are trying to get images of. The night sky covers a lot. I started down this path about 9 months ago, and have really enjoyed it, as well as finding it very frustrating at times. But I am still learning.

So here I go.

I would recommend something like a planisphere to find what you are looking in the sky, and what time of the year different stars are in view. A dark sky really helps, light pollution, or a full moon can work against you. I started by building a barn door tracker to overcome star tails, but I did not get on with it. My next step was to buy a Skywatcher Star Adventurer. Fantastic idea, but this where I am having my main problem. I am struggling to polar align the mount. In the southern hemisphere, there is not a convenient star to help you, such as Polaris. This mount uses the constellation Octans to help you polar align south of the equator. This should be easier for you, but here in Darwin, being close to the equator, this constellation is next to impossible to find, as it is so low in the sky. Well, so far each time I have looked for it.

So my next step was to buy a o-gps. It arrived on Monday, and yes, it works. This time of the year, monsoon season time is not the best time to try it out, but I have had a play with it. It is a bit of a mystery sort of device. It is not happy shooting straight up, but at a reason angle, it worked well. I was able to capture the Lovejoy comet a couple of nights ago in the gaps in the clouds. I need to play with it more. It does some things I can't explain. I can get a longer timed shot with my 200mm, than what I can pointing in the same direction on the same night with my 50mm. I have no idea why.

Gear wise, I have not brought any new lenses, yet. I have just used my 16-50, FA 50 1.4, and a Tamron 80-200 f2.8. The two zooms I prefer, over the prime. Wide open, the 50mm is not so nice. Try different lenses. Find which ones work best for you. Focus using live view, the view finder is just too hard to get correct focus. Also check your focus from time to time. I have for a "to see what happens" sort of thing, just put my Q on the back of the Tamron via an adaptor. I have pointed it at a blood moon, as well as the Orion nebula. I was pleasantly surprised.

I can't offer much advice on processing images. I have Elements version 12, but I am not sure if this is what I really need, or what is best.

My aim for this year, is to do a panorama of the milky way, I done one last year, but it is not anywhere near as good as what I am aiming for. It is riddled with mistakes, but it was a good starting point.

I am sure there are others with information, but that is my 2 cents worth.

Regards

Gary

I upgraded from a K10, of which I still have to a K3. I have been dabbling in astrophotography, and found I was getting some funky red colours on long exposures with the K10's CCD sensor. I picked a newer camera that also has live view as it makes focusing a lot easier. Has it helped me progress, very much so.

I also picked up a used Q to play with. Taking advantage of it's crop factor for reach with an adaptor, and K mount lens. It is not perfect, but I can get shots that I would be unable to get otherwise.

Last sunset of the year? I am aiming to be in the centre of Australia, Ayers rock.

Gary

Hi Stan,

Like Lenny, I am far from calling myself anything but a novice at this. But a few things to try would be a faster lens. I have been using a fast 50, and stitching several images together. Using live view instead of the viewfinder to achieve correct focus. Also, using manual focus instead of autofocus.

You could also make a barn door tracker. I made one, but really did not get on that well with it. I always seemed to get egged shaped stars, I guess that is more due to poor polar alignment on my behalf. Or of course, a O-GPS unit, but I have no experience with one these.

Good luck

Gary

Hello,

A quick hi to say that I have returned after an absence. Just an update, I have left the UK, and I am now living in Australia. My camera gear went to NZ, I know, not straight forward. But, along the way, I have picked up a little Q (new to me). I have now picked up my old camera, a K10,and away I go again. Maybe time for an upgrade there.

But soon I will be posting pictures from this part of the world.

Gary

The last one that I had accepted earlier this week took about three weeks to work it's way through.

Cheers

Gary

ME Super as well.

Gary

You could also check out the City mill, the streets around the Cathedral. The old army barracks, there is a walk along the river Itchen, St Catherine’s hill, and the Hockley viaduct. The guildhall, I have never been there, but I have been told it is nice. Plus the train station is all of a five minute walk to the high street.

Gary