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Re: [APML] 35 mm Camera & Focuser
Serge - in no particular order:
Welcome to APML!
I too am a member of the Toronto Centre - we should hook up in the Spring
when the CAO opens up and we have access to a dark site, a 16" LX200 and the
world's most amazing private observatory. I live near it and can't get to
the monthly meetings but of course if you post to the TC yahoo group you'll
see me reply right away.
If you want advice on the R200SS, wait for Herm to reply - he works miracles
with his. (also, jealousy sets in, that is my dream scope too!)
As for coaching on astrophotography, you already have a direct line to one
of the best.
As for focussing, you will need something other than the camera so you
should not worry about choice. With the OM you have a lightweight camera for
sure. The Nikons are heavy but versatile and for piggyback have LOTS of good
lenses to choose from.
Great to have you back in the hobby!
Stuart
----- Original Message -----
From: "Serge Theberge" <serge.theberge@wti.on.ca>
To: "APML Mailing List" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 4:45 PM
Subject: [APML] 35 mm Camera & Focuser
> I thought that this is as good a time as any to introduce myself to the
> APML. I joined last week at John Mirtle's recommendation. John has been
of
> tremendous help in getting me restarted in this great hobby after a
30-year
> hiatus! I dabbled in astrophotography this summer with my 1974 vintage C8
> and a recently purchased Canon Coolpix 4300 on the C8's original wobbly
> mount and screechy drive motors to take some pictures of Mars as souvenir
of
> this memorable year. The pictures were definitely not the greatest, but
> after massaging it in Registax, they kind of look half-decent, enough
> anyway to catch the astrophotography bug! The problem was then to figure
> out where to start. I decided to join the Toronto chapter of the RASC and
> started firing emails on the RASC mailing list for help to get started.
> Many RASC members have been really helpful, and John in particular has
> guided me through the tropical forest of equipment that there is out
there.
>
> To make the story short (at least shorter), here is my equipment list:
> - I am keeping my C8 f/10 tube for planetary photography (I might get
> something else in the future, but for now it will have to do)
> - I have ordered the Losmandy G11 mount with GOTO (John tried to
discourage
> me to buying the GOTO option, but I love toys...)
> - I have also ordered the Vixen RS200 8" f/4 Newtonian with coma corrector
> at John's recommendation for deep-space photography.
>
> Next, and this is why I am seeking your advice, is the 35 mm camera and
> focuser issue.
>
> - I have an old Canon AT-1 manual camera, but nothing on it is
> removable/interchangeable. One option with it would be to get the Stiletto
> Series IV focuser. However, I am concerned about getting the focus error
> within tolerance, which, according to Covington's book, should be within
> .04mm to 08mm for an f/4 scope. I am concerned (maybe wrongly) that it
may
> be a bit much to expect everything to stay put within 40-80 microns while
> unmounting the focuser and mounting the camera.
>
> - Another option would be to buy a used Olympus OM-1 for which there seems
> to be more options. I found a used one that comes with 2 shutter release
> cables and a Beattie IntenScreen for $299CDN. I have no idea as to whether
> this Beattie IntenScreen will be of any help for deep-sky observing. John
> suggested that if I take the Olympus road, I should consider getting the
> Hutech circular knife edge. But again, it means unmounting and remounting
> the camera.
>
> - John also suggested to consider getting the 6x30 Lumicon "critical focus
> magnifiers" which can be mounted on the Olympus viewfinder by gluing the
> Lumicon to the metal frame of the eyeguard, thus enabling it to be fixed
to
> the camera. I must say that I find this non-swapping approach more
> attractive.
>
> - Finally, on a line of thought similar to John's Lumicon, the last
approach
> I found was from Scott Tucker's web site where he uses a Peake 22x loupe
> mounted on a camera that has a removable finder. Neither my Canon or the
> Olympus OM-1 have removable finders, which would therefore leave me to buy
a
> camera body such as a Nikon F series. Snooping around the APML archives, I
> found a thread where Wil Milan states that "The F1 can work, the F2 and F3
> are probably the best for pure astro work, the F4 can work well but is
very
> heavy and very expensive, the F5 would not be a good choice because it has
> no manual (i.e., no-battery-drain) time-exposure mode as do the F1 - F4."
>
> So this is where I stand right now in setting myself up for
> astrophotography.
>
> I am looking forward to hearing your advice on this 35 mm camera and
focuser
> issue.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Serge Theberge
> Toronto Centre
> RASC
>
>
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