[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]
Re: [APML] Re: Covington's Book (was For Zoe Mcenery)
Stuart,
Sorry if I came accross a little strong; I was just chiming in a
little in case some new list subscriber might have been turned off by
Covington's book and discarded the idea of ever reading it based on the
thread; I think all the books on the subject (AP) should be considered and
read before trying anything yourself--you know how steep the learning curve
is in this hobby. I have Rob Reeves and Covington's and a few others; each
book has its strengths and weaknesses, and its values to different people.
On Saturday, although I thought I was ready to go--the moon should be
a simple target after prime focus DSOs, right?--I realized that I didn't
even know how to approximate film exposure times until I remembered that
there were tables in the back of Covington's book. After I saw how
comprehensive they were, I mumbled "thank you, thank you" all the way back
out to the observatory, grateful that someone had taken the time to collect
an publish the information.
Again, I meant to come across positive and encouraging toward
Covington, based on that gratitude, and not negative against your reviews
of his matter.
FWIW, here's a quick scan from a print (I have not had the negatives
done yet) just past totality (roughly 20:30 EST). 12" SCT with 6.3 focal
reducer, Kodak Supra 400 (the good old stuff from my freezer stock), 3
secs. The contrast is not very good scanning from the print on my home
flatbed, and the lighted portion is slightly overexposed, but I'll take it:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/sholak/CRO/total-1.jpg
Steve Holak
Senior Software Architect
Brokerage Concepts IS Dept.
610-491-4879
email: steve.holak@bcitpa.com
"Stuart Heggie"
<stuart.j.heggie@sym To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
patico.ca> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Re: [APML] Re: Covington's Book (was For Zoe Mcenery)
astro-photo-bounces@
seds.org
11/10/2003 09:08 PM
Please respond to
Discussion of Film
Astrophotography
Steve - I'm not knocking the guy or anything, just saying that other books
work way better for me. Exposure tables for the moon at various phases are
hardly unique to Covington's book.
Here is an example of what bugs me (and to some extent most are bad for
this
stuff - Robert Reeve's excepted): he goes to all this trouble to assess the
merits of various cameras for astrophotography and doesn't even mention
Minolta which is a fine camera and just as capable as many others in the
list. Example, the mirror lockup on the SRT101 is WAY smoother than on
either of my Nikon F2's - can put it up with my baby fingernail. Why come
across all super tech and then have such gaps? If you haven't got Robert
Reeve's book - I think you are missing an excellent resource - not only is
his description of various cameras excellent but it is clear he has
actually
used them - the details on their idiosyncracies were really helpful to me.
Anyway, this is really not meant to be a screed against Michael Covington -
I'm sure he is a great guy and the book fits in the repertoire - just not
at
the top of my own list.
Stuart
----- Original Message -----
From: <Steve.Holak@bcitpa.com>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: [APML] Re: For Zoe Mcenery
>
> Just to chime in here: Covington's exposure tables saved my a*s on
> Saturday night, when I attempted to shoot the lunar eclipse prime focus
> with my Om-1 / 12" SCT combination. I've used the mechanical shutter for
> deep sky, and webcam for planets and moon, but had little clue on
exposure
> times for various phases of the eclipse.
>
> Covington not only covered full-moon exposure suggestions for a variety
of
> film speed and focal-length combinations, which allowed me to get a feel
of
> how to bracket, but he also covers different brightness totalities, as
well
> as exposing for the bright areas pre-totality, or exposing for the umbra
/
> penumbra pre-totallity.
> Yeah, it's a little cluttered, but it's not the first time that I found
out
> under the stars that my lack of depth of planning has been mitigated by
> having the information that he has gathered in his book. It's dated, but
> it is still valuable.
>
>
> Steve Holak
> Senior Software Architect
>
> Brokerage Concepts IS Dept.
> 610-491-4879
>
> email: steve.holak@bcitpa.com
>
>
>
> "Stuart Heggie"
> <stuart.j.heggie@sym To:
<warhen@mindspring.com>, "Discussion of Film Astrophotography"
> patico.ca> <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent by: cc:
> astro-photo-bounces@ Subject: Re: [APML]
Re: For Zoe Mcenery
> seds.org
>
>
> 11/08/2003 11:54 AM
> Please respond to
> Discussion of Film
> Astrophotography
>
>
>
>
>
> Somehow I missed the start of this thread but I'd like to chip in. I
think
> Splendors of the Universe is a GREAT intro book to astrophotography. Now,
> the organization is a bit odd but it covers the topic really well for an
> absolute beginner. Then I'd move to Robert Reeves' book - more good
advice
> -
> I reread them both often. The older Backyard Astronomer's Guide was a
> staple
> for me and now I have the new one but I haven't gone over those sections
to
> see what they changed. Both Dickinson and Dyer are really good
> photographers. Terrence seems to favour consumer digital cameras now but
> Alan is still shooting traditional I think.
>
> Going way out on a limb here - I just bought Covington's book and I know
> he's clever as all get out but you know, this book doesn't work for me -
> I'll keep reading it and looking for insight but it is cluttered, offers
> examples that are inferior to stuff on this list every day and generally,
> seems to get seduced by issues way too technical.
>
> It's just an opinion though - I know it is popular.
>
> Stuart
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <warhen@mindspring.com>
> To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 3:12 PM
> Subject: [APML] Re: For Zoe Mcenery
>
>
> > Zoe,
> > At your stage, I think you'll find these books invaluable- The
> Backyard Astronomer and/or Slendors of the Universe by Terence Dickinson,
> and then, the more advanced Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael
> Covington. They are often available at even Barnes and Noble type stores.
> Jerry Lodriguss's website www.astropix.com is fantastic too.
> >
> > The text and photos are just what you need to get a handle on the
> beginning processes.
> >
> > warren
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Astro-Photo mailing list
> > Astro-Photo@seds.org
> > http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>
> _______________________________________________
> Astro-Photo mailing list
> Astro-Photo@seds.org
> http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Astro-Photo mailing list
> Astro-Photo@seds.org
> http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo