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RE: [APML] 35 mm Camera & Focuser
Stuart,
Thanks for the invitation! I will contact you off-line.
Serge
-----Original Message-----
From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org] On
Behalf Of Stuart Heggie
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:34 PM
To: Discussion of Film Astrophotography
Subject: Re: [APML] 35 mm Camera & Focuser
Serge - when you are thinking of coming up next, I'm near Flesherton. Give
me a day or two warning and I'll give you directions. Can show off my
observatory, G-11 and imaging equipment.
Stuart
----- Original Message -----
From: "Serge Theberge" <serge.theberge@wti.on.ca>
To: "'Discussion of Film Astrophotography'" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:09 PM
Subject: RE: [APML] 35 mm Camera & Focuser
> Hi Stuart,
>
> Thanks for the welcome note! I have a condo in Collingwood where I go
every
> second weekend - so perhaps we can get in touch earlier than next
> spring!
>
> I am on a fast learning curve right now and my brain is already almost
> bursting with tons of information that John and others have been
> providing me. I want to have all the required equipment in place and
> get the basics
of
> astrophotography understood sufficiently to be ready to start serious
> experimentation in the spring - that's the goal.
>
> It's great to be back in this wonderful hobby!
>
> Serge
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org
> [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]
On
> Behalf Of Stuart Heggie
> Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 5:39 PM
> To: Discussion of Film Astrophotography
> Subject: 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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> > Astro-Photo@seds.org http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>
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