Re: [APML] Orion Min-EQ + EQ-1M

[George Anderson <georgea@cam.org>]

Andrew

To give you an idea of what can be accomplished with a double arm (type
4) barn door tracker have a look at
http//www.angelfire.com/space/lunatic/cran.jpg
I took this shot Labour Day weekend back in 1997 at Cranberry Lake camp
ground in New York.
The first night the skies were crystal clear and steady, and I shot 12
frames with the shutter cable pressed for ten to fifteen minutes each
time. When I got back to the tent I discovered the shutter speed was on
sync 1/125.
The next night was hazy from all the campfire smoke and this was the
night I took this shot.
It was made with a Sigma 28-70 zoom wide open at f/3.5 for ten minutes
(not a great lens for astro work, too soft amongst other flaws). The
shot also shows why Kodak Portra VC 400 is not a good film for astro
work. The really bright star is Deneb and you'll notice zero nebulosity
anywhere in the image.
But the barn door did a very good job. 

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

Andrew Skretvedt wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> As a beginner in this exciting field, I've decided I would like to try
> moving beyond the star-trails, and attempt some guided shots. I have yet
> to make a big telescope purchase, but seeing some of the wonderful
> wide-field photography shots posted by other members, I've realized that
> a scope is not necessary to capture some breathtaking images of bigger
> swaths of sky.
> 
> I've seen in the Orion catalog, the Min-EQ equatorial mount on a
> table-top style tripod. With the optional EQ-1M clock drive, it's billed
> as a good platform for mounting a camera and taking wide-field photos.
> 
> I'm interested in opinions, esp. from anyone who has actually used the
> product. I realize it might be a challenge to polar-align this device.
> It's on p.78 of the latest catalog.
> 
> For those that have posted guided camera-only pictures, what guiding
> setup did you use? Recommendations?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Andrew Skretvedt,
> Grand Forks, ND
> 
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