Re: [APML] O.T.: Alternatives to Film and CCD

["Hap Griffin" <lgriffin@sc.rr.com>]

Answers below:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Vineyard" <deepskyphotos@hotmail.com>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: [APML] O.T.: Alternatives to Film and CCD


> Hello Hap,
>   Not to step in on Michael's original question.  Which I'd say no, there
> are no alternatives to film, or a full astro-dedicated CCD, to be
> bought/made (other than maybe the little "Totally Autostar Proprietary"
> Meade "Deep Sky Imager" or a useless still-film-based pinhole camera!)
other
> than the DSLR.  But I also think there will be useable astro-films around
> for quite some time yet.
>
>   But Hap, I've been looking at most of your DSLR images over the last
> several months and have been wondering if there is a known technical
reason
> why you chose to go with the "Meade 0.63x Focal Reducer/Corrector" over
say
> the "Tele Vue 0.8x Reducer/Corrector" for use with your Orion ED80?  Did
you
> just have the Meade unit on hand, is it just the cost differential for
equal
> performance, or is it superior in some way to the Tele Vue for use with
the
> ED80 and a Canon DSLR?  I was surprised to see the Meade unit noted, and
> clearly very useable.
>

The main reason I went with the Meade was the price.  However, I do see some
coma in the corners with it and will soon be trying out my imaging partner's
Televue 0.8x reducer.  If it works better, I'll spring for one.

>   The main reasons I haven't snapped up a Canon DSLR is the constant and
> fast-paced innovation in digital cameras in general i.e. I don't want an
> obsolete model in a year or so as I have in a digital point & shoot.  And
> also I'm a little put off by not being able to go really deep with a DSLR.
> I may wait, for the what is it, the SBIG Model ST-402 due to start
shipping
> anytime soon.
>

You can go pretty deep with DSLR's...just stack a boatload of 5 minute
exposures.  Let me know what you think of my 4 hour Horsehead region shot at
http://www.machunter.org/hap_alnitak_close.html .  This is 48 5-minute
images aligned and stacked for 4 hours of total exposure.

>   But anyway, is there a real advantage to the Meade 0.63x over the Tele
Vue
> model with the ED80 that you know of?
>

No, and I'm pretty sure the Televue is the better unit.  Will try one soon.

> Thanks for any info,
>
> Jim Vineyard
> www.deepskyphotos.com
>

Clear skies!

Hap Griffin
www.machunter.org/hapspics.html
www.hapg.org/astrocables.htm

_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo