Re: [APML] Portable EQ mount

[Radu Corlan <rcorlan@pcnet.ro>]

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004, Philippe Chretien wrote:

> Thanks all for the suggestions,
> 
> Richard, Radu,

> The EQ-1 equatorial head mounted on a small tripod seems very
> interesting. If I could use it without the counterweight that would make
> it the best slution. Maybe I can build a smaller counterweight that will
> work for the camera only.

Phillipe,

I've been using the CG4 on the go without the counterweight (just the 
bar); it wasn't that bad, and i had both a camera and a guidescope.

Another way is to make a clamp of sorts , make a shorter bar that will fit 
in place of the counterweight bar, and mount a second camera. You get 
twice the bang for less weight.

> 
> George, Stuart,

> The barndoor mount was my first idea but I have seen very few small (and
> light) designs. Since I want to expose from 15 to 20 minutes, I would
> have to go with a double harm as George suggested.

You have to be very careful and plan for a way to good polar alignment if 
you want to go to 20 minutes. At the very least, have something with a 
reticle so you can drift-align. A good polar scope is best when on the go, 
but it has to be precise, and well aligned to the mount.

I've found polar alignment to be the limiting factor for on-the-go 
photography. You use equipment that you don't use normally, are probably 
more tired than usual, and there's the excitement of a new place. So 
you'll make all the mistakes in the book (at least that's what i do ;-)).

Radu

> 
> Thanks again for your help,
> 
> Philippe Chrétien
> http://www.astrophoto.ca
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@sympatico.ca>
> To: "Philippe Chretien" <junk1@gcesoft.com>; "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [APML] Portable EQ mount
> 
> 
> > Sounds like a job for a barn door tracker - anything else is going to be too heavy. Instructions widely available including
> Terrence
> > Dickensen's books.
> >
> > Stuart Heggie
> > http://www3.sympatico.ca/stuart.j.heggie/Stuart.J.Heggie/
> > Flesherton, Ontario, Canada
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Philippe Chretien" <junk1@gcesoft.com>
> > To: <Astro-Photo@seds.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 2:40 PM
> > Subject: [APML] Portable EQ mount
> >
> >
> > > Hi everybody,
> > >
> > > I am planing a trip in south america and would like to take some wide field pictures of the sky. The problem is that I'll travel
> > > about one month and a half and all my equipment must fit into a backpak ... with all my other stuff! The camera I'll use is an
> > > Olympus OM-1. The maximum focal length I'll use is a 50mm lens.
> > >
> > > My question is, does any of you have know of a very small and as light as possible equatorial mount that match these
> requirements?
> > > Any suggestions on how to take nice pictures of the sky with a minimum of equipment? I have access to a machineshop so any idea,
> > > plans or suggestion is very welcome!
> > >
> > > Shooting star trails only is not an acceptable solution! :-)
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > >
> > > Philippe Chrétien
> > > http://www.astrophoto.ca
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Astro-Photo mailing list
> > > Astro-Photo@seds.org
> > > http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
> >
> 
> 
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-- 

-------------
Radu Corlan       Snail Mail: Bucuresti sect. 1, 
rcorlan@pcnet.ro  str. Argentina nr. 28, Romania

   You can still escape the "Gates" of Hell!   
                 Use Linux!                       


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