Tweedledee Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 8 hours ago, BAZ said: Interesting, I am fairly new to these app based planetarium programs and fairly slow to get to grips with them, usually being comfortable just as they stop support for them. I do intend to use this for more than just the coordinates that I have previously used it for, so I was expecting it to be an improvement on good old Stellarium and the SS5 plus. I was intending to go back to my old paper logs and input them all into this. Looking further into it I'm sure you'll like it Martyn. SS 6 Pro looks like it should be a really good program and probably better than Stellarium. It seems that it is not optimised for my device, which is very disappointing. Some features won't work properly, some dialog boxes just don't show and customization is extremely limited. On talking to the Google technical department today, it would appear that my 3 year old 10" tablet is now ready for the bin and won't run a lot of apps properly! So I will go to Currys and buy a new tablet that will hopefully last another 3 years, and give SS 6 Pro another try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 I have put it on my Lenovo cheepy tablet, which doesn't have accelerometers or a compass, but still shows the important stuff and allows me to log objects under observation lists. On my Android phone though it works very well and seems to be aimed more at the phone market. I hope you get it sorted out. There's enough to keep even you going for a bit, there's catalogues listed I haven't even heard of and around 25 million stars apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottletopburly Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 Turned up eventually, thicker than the other in series Tweedledee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Just to aid my quest to keep toasty warm whilst observing in winter, I've bought some heated fingerless electric gloves. If it's really cold they can also go under my fingerless mitts with a flap over section that will keep my finger tips warm when I'm not fiddling with anything. I have several rechargeable pocket sized power banks they can plug into via usb, from 5 amphour to 20 amphour. Should keep them hot all night. Will just have to prevent the wires tangling with the ones from my other electric clothing. ? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Obbomed-MH-1020-Composite-Heating-Stretchy/dp/B076SL3GV9 My heated gillet with heated collar posted about previously is absolutely superb... https://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/57-latest-purchases/?do=findComment&comment=149766 I can thoroughly recommend it apart from one small aspect. It switches on and changes settings by pressing a switch pad on the left side of the chest. The switch pad is very neat and works great, but it lights up. It flashes red for 5 minutes on warm-up, then high is constant red, medium is white and low is blue. It is quite bright, and in the dark, the glow even shines through most other coats worn on top. It can be a little embarrassing walking round looking like Iron Man with a glowing ARC reactor in my chest!! ? 8472 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.Grant Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Not solely for astro but it'll certainly find itself pointed at the Moon as well as trying on a few other objects. Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary (Canon fit) Heading over to Snowdonia National park for 3 days on Sunday evening .... hoping to get some clear days/nights to try it out. BAZ and Bottletopburly 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Nice one Alastair let me know what it is like. I'm buying either the new Sigma 150-600 or the Tamron 150-600 just can't make up my mind. Hopefully buying in the new year if I can make my mind up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.Grant Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 23 minutes ago, Doc said: Nice one Alastair let me know what it is like. I'm buying either the new Sigma 150-600 or the Tamron 150-600 just can't make up my mind. Hopefully buying in the new year if I can make my mind up. I was looking at the same 2 lenses. I asked around and it seems there is very little difference in performance. Of those I asked the replies were kind of predictable - Tamron owners recommended Tamron and Sigma owners prefered Sigma! I watched a couple of videos comparing both (none were for astrophotography) and again there wasn't much between the two. Tamron won out in a couple of areas and Sigma in others. I seem to remember seeing a review that said the Tamron was slightly better doing some extreme pixel peeping, but overall the conclusions were that both are good very lenses for the money. As with many zoom lenses (and my Tamron 70-300mm) the focus can be a little soft at full zoom. The Sigma does have an optional docking station that allows some tinkering with various settings, including autofocus and firmware upgrades - but I've not looked at that too closely (yet). What I did see was that there seemed to be very little support for the Sigma Sport version over the Contemporary version. Pretty much all agreed that the big price jump and big increase in lens weight wasn't worth it in terms of any performance increase. Apart from astro stuff on a tripod & Astrotrac I'll be using mine for when out and about in the Welsh hills and I've seen images using both lenses - and I'd be happy getting either. As there was so little difference I decided on the cheaper of the two (tight git!) - from the quick look I've had, I'm very happy. The autofocus speed is a big improvement over my Tamron 70-100mm, as is the stabilization control options when panning - 2 things I will be using! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 From what I've read the Sigma is very front heavy, so that may be a pain to carry around a lot. The Tamron also has a dock called Tap-In which focus points can be changed etc. I'm edging towards the Tamron as it's lighter. +Bino-viewer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I'll be at the IAS this Friday Mick. WEX Photographic will be there i expect......I could price you one up...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Can do Rob but I pretty much know the prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 They may have stuff on offer for the trade show ? I'm looking at a couple of lenses myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Which ones Rob? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Good deal on amazon both makes at virtually the same price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Cheers Graham. I normally buy all my cameras and lenses from Panamoz, brilliant prices, long warrenties and never had a problem. The Tamron out of stock at the moment though. https://panamoz.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.Grant Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I've had a chance to try out the Sigma 150-600mm up the hills in Wales over the last few days. Didn't get a chance to do any astro (that'll have to wait until our next visit in a couple of weeks) but did get some fast moving stuff. Posted images in Martyn's Coffee Shop to save filling up this topic (especially as they're non-astro) - Here: https://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/15096-non-astro-images-sigma-150-600mm-mach-loop/ The autofocus seemed to cope really well at longer distances, it also managed to keep the fast moving stuff in focus - although my panning technique at closer range needs to get a bit better! Overall I'm very happy with the lens for the stuff I've tried it out on. It's a huge step up from my Tamron 70-300mm. I doubt there is much between this and the equivalent Tamron lens - From what I've read I think the zoom on the Tamron works the opposite way to Canon lenses, but that's something that should be quick to get used to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I've also heard the zoom on the Tamron is the oppsosite to normal, but as you say should be easy to get on with. What did you think of the weight was it a pain to carry all day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.Grant Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 The weight difference was certainly noticeable, especially toward the end of the day. However, it wasn't enough to cause any real problems. I had the camera around my neck walking up & down this hill (from the carpark in the shot) also carrying a backpack and tent - my legs were hurting more than my neck! That said I have ordered a new camera strap as having it hanging around my neck from about 9am to 5pm did eventually become uncomfortable. I've also ordered a new camera bag as my current one won't take the camera with the Sigma attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 (edited) Finally (finally) i got round to treating myself to a UHC filter. I don't have a particularly good track record with filters, so we'll have to see how this one goes. This was one of my purchases from last weeks IAS, and was purchased from Adam of RVO. I'll be using it in the 300mm OO dob using the binoviewers in built filterslide. Also got a CLS to go in my camera. Edited October 17, 2018 by Bino-viewer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 (edited) What we got here then........? It looks 'Tele-vue-esque' ? Edited October 17, 2018 by Bino-viewer Tweedledee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 Nice, is it a 3.7mm Ethos SX? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 Treated myself to a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. Wow what a beast, heavier then I thought and will take some getting use to, but I'm looking forward to the learning curve. BAZ, Tweedledee, +Bino-viewer and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 (edited) Not a Tele-vue eyepiece. I have Pete to thank for this. I've always wanted a good quality illuminated reticule eyepiece. I've had a couple over the years and one was so poor that i actually threw it away. I've finally found a good one. It ticks all the right boxes. Laser etched reticule, wide field and bags of eye relief. Also a nicely implemented separate screw in illuminator. I decided on the 26mm version (same price) and if i want more magnification i have Powermate options. I'll be using it to help with my initial alignments with both of my Alt-az mounts. This was not an IAS purchase btw, but rather from TS in Germany. Arrived in 3 days. Edited October 18, 2018 by Bino-viewer Tweedledee and BAZ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 30 minutes ago, Bino-viewer said: Not a Tele-vue eyepiece. I have Pete to thank for this. I've always wanted a good quality illuminated reticule eyepiece. I've had a couple over the years and one was so poor that i actually threw it away. I've finally found a good one. It ticks all the right boxes. Laser etched reticule, wide field and bags of eye relief. Also a nicely implemented separate screw in illuminator. I decided on the 26mm version (same price) and if i want more magnification i have Powermate options. I'll be using it to help with my initial alignments with both of my Alt-az mounts. This was not an IAS purchase btw, but rather from TS in Germany. Arrived in 3 days. I have the 32mm 70 degree cross hair version, and it is a nice eyepiece to view with in its own right. You'll enjoy the 26mm for good wide views and superb eye relief, very easy and pleasant to look through. ? +Bino-viewer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Bought a secondhand 70-210mm zoom lens on ebay, but when it arrived, I found that the zoom was very free, and suffered slippage when tilted even slightly so wouldn't hold its zoom setting. Apparently this is a common problem with S/H Canon zooms. Sent it back for a refund. Just won a good deal on ebay for an even wider range new 75-300mm Canon zoom lens for wide field astrophotography. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tweedledee Posted November 14, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 14, 2018 Christmas came early. ? Think I have everything I need now except possibly a Polemaster. Nice dealings with RVO ?... +Bino-viewer, Doc, newtyng5 and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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