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RE: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror
Hey Jason,
--- "Lane, Jason R" <jason.lane@navy.mil> wrote:
> I saw in your message below that you use a Taurus Tracker. I have
> been considering purchasing one for my setup, and wanted to ask you
> what your likes and dislikes are about the Taurus Tracker, ease of
> use (especially with the autoguider), etc., etc. I own a Meade LX90
> 8" SCT telescope, so my setup is similar to yours. I'm asking
> through APML in case anybody else has some input.
I love the darn thing. It is the one piece of equipment I own that I
have NEVER considered upgrading or swapping out for something else. I
have no problems using it at f/10, other than having to work a bit
harder to find guide stars.
After the initial setup, when the viewport, and guideport are made
parfocal with your cameras focus, nightly setup is a breeze. Focus
using a regular EP, locate your guidestar with an IREP, drop in your
ST-4 or 201, rotate the camera for best composition, start your guiding
and then the exposure. Before the exposure is started, you must
remember to pull the viewport up out of the light path. That is the
only drawback I have with the Taurus. After you've taken 1 or 2 3 hour
exposures of nothing though, you learn to double check it.
It's important to note here that during initial setup, exact focus is
important for ease of future use so, it's not a step to rush through.
Also note that when that step is done right, all the focus points for
the film, and the guideport are easy to achieve night after night. What
it means is that you can simple drop your autoguider in, rotate it so
the axis of travel are in line with the current configuration, and you
should be already at best focus.
Alan
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