Popular Post +RonC Posted April 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2020 First light for me with an AA Hypercam 183c Pro (Fan). The 150PDS was set up on the mount, PA'd and aligned om Arcturus. At first after trying APT and AA's software I couldn't work out where the star was!! I turned to Sharpcap and using there 1s video capture I could make out a large mirror with clips around it! The cam was set up with a Baader CC and the required 55mm back focus but I ended up with the set up hard in against the focuser!! I removed a 20mm spacer and replaced it with a 10mm spacer which was enough to get me in focus but loosing the 55mm back focus!! I then returned to APT and using the Focus app got it very close with about 8 mm left on the draw tube! I must admit I tried all exposure times, gains and binning and ended up at 60s 500 Gain and binning 2x2. At 1x1 the files were taking 3 mins to download hence the move to 2x2. First target was M3 Only 10 x 60s + Darks, quite pleased with the resuly. Next was the Bubble Nebula which was quite low in the NE. This obviously needs a lot more subs! 12 x 60s + an LP filter. So after one and a half hours getting to focus it was quite a relief to get some images, I just need a lot more practice and time!! I'm going to mount the ED80 ready for the next outing and return the back focus to 55mm.. Thanks and comments (and help) welcome! Ron +Glafnazur, Werisit, philjay and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Good first light ron settling in nice 👍 +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+seven_legs Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Great start. Love the globular cluster shot. don’t seem to see many pictures of globulars on EMS. +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Practice makes perfect Ron, good start though. +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Looking good. Very promising opening salvo. M3 is excellent (it is M3 and not M13 ?) +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Defo M3 Rob 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Nice images Ron, can't believe you had a clear night on delivery day - new kit normally evokes weeks of cloudy nights. +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Nice one Ron. Glad you got it up and running. Now the learning curve begins 👍 +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Think it began last night Graham!! 😦 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red dwalf Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 3 minutes to download an image, is that normal, would take up half the nights imaging time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 It's a 20M Pixel camera and USB3 but I only have USB2 ports! I use 2x2 binning so only half the time !! Ron red dwalf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 My DSLR is 24M pixel and a CR2 raw file is typically 35M byte and downloads using USB2 in a few seconds, so how big are your files? (and 2 x 2 binning should reduce the time by 4). Do you use a dedicated USB port for the camera or is it through an external hub? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Hi Clive, files are 35Mb+ I do use a powered hub but only have USB 2 ports on the laptop. Still getting to grips with it all at the moment. I think a new laptop is the next thing on the list as it really stretches my present one! DSLR CR2 files download very quick but the laptop manages those easily. Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 I assume your DSLR files are downloaded whilst the USB is only talking to the DSLR. Just wondering if your guide camera is hogging the available computer USB port bandwidth if it's also run through the hub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Good question! PHD does falter when an image is downloading, I noticed it last night but it's the art of compromise I suppose. I'll get a newer, faster laptop when I can!! But not over the Summer!! Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 As your PC has 2 USB ports, if you can it may be worth running the camera direct to one of them and running everything else via the hub connected to the other. The chances are the 2 computer ports are just an internal PC hub but it may be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Could try that except the USB 3 lead is only a metre long! Food for thought though, thanks Clive 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 looking good Ron +RonC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 3 m USB 3 cable ordered to see if that helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted April 20, 2020 Author Share Posted April 20, 2020 Well I tried the 3m USB 3 this afternoon and it made no difference!! So I'll put up with the delays until I can get a faster USB 3 laptop. After a caravan, a holiday and my summer-house build!! (oh and the lockdown!!) Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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