Perkil8r Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm looking for some quick hints and tips on snapping some half decent pictures. I have the SW 200p with EQ5 mount, not ideal I know, but that's what I have so I need to work with it for now. It has RA drive so that's a bit of a help I assume? I've got the Canon 300D DSLR which is as it left the factory except a few firmware updates. I've got my T ring thingy and had a go at putting it all together so I know how all of that happens ready for fumbling about in the dark. So, that's where I'm upto. I don't expect too much, I'm quite realistic on what to get out of it, but that's now where my knowledge runs out. What i need now is a bit of advice on settings, and a couple of suggestions for targets. I'm assuming I should manage the moon quite easily, but with prime focus what can I expect to be captured in the frame? All of it, half, a quarter......? Moving on a bit I'm thinking Jupiter should be quite easy too? I'm pretty good with Photo Shop and other software, so I don't foresee too many issues on that front, it's just getting a good starting point on the settings and exposure times. Will it matter too much at this early stage that I don't have any filters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm in the same boat as you Mike, got a SW200PDS and a EQ5 Pro (Goto) and a Pentax Kx (plus T ring) I would like to know where to start as well?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I don't image but there are alot here who do and I'm sure they will be along soon to give some advice. But I would start with the moon, it's large and bright and quite easy to image. As for deep space stuff you can try M31, M13, M81/82 these seem to be the choice of most beginners. Planets I think are better to image with webcams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks Mick, would like some basic settings though? ISO, shutter speed, focusing etc?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 I was thinking I would start with the moon. I imagine something like 1/2 second or less but quite a high f stop to help with contrast? Or have I got that back to front.... I can never remember lol. I imagine something like f11 ish 1/2 second @ iso 800-1000 maybe? As I say, I have no idea really, it's been a long while since I played with my SLR years and years ago, so most of what I knew I've forgotten, but I suspect it will all start coming back to me once I start lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks Mick, would like some basic settings though? ISO, shutter speed, focusing etc?? I can answer about focusing If your camera has live view it will be easier, otherwise it's a case of either looking through the viewfinder while focusing or taking a few trial shots to get the focusing right. There's a focusing mask, I forget it's name, but it begins with B. It makes a star look erm, star shaped and once all the legs are lined up it's focused I believe. Myself I was going to use the viewfinder first to get it close then take a shot, zoom in and inspect it, then adjust and so on..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Bahtinov Mask I think is what you're referring to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I have Liveview and a B Mask, just need the weather and time to do it LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Hi Mike Your 300d wont have live preview so forget that, I started with the trusty 300d as well, great cam but it has been overtaken these days. As others have said start with the moon its big, its bright and you dont need hours of exposure.. Get a cable/remote release to avoid the shakes. Set the camera on manual. Focus as best you can, a bhartinov mask wont help with the moon unless you focus on a star 1st but as you dont have live preview it wont be easy so its easier just to focus through the viewfinder; the less kit to faff about with in the dark the better when your starting off IMHO Set the asa/iso to 200, lightly press the shutter to get the exposure meter up in the view finder then adjust the shutter speed until the exposure needle is in the middle. Take a shot and it'll be overexposed. Thats because the camera metering is spread over them little squares you can see in the view finder. So adjust the shutter speed faster, (take the needle so it underexposes) Repeat this until you see a nicely exposed image on the screen when you view it. Once you have the exposure right you can then fiddle with the focus to get it just so. Once your happy with focus and exposure take loads of shots. Then on the pc later pick the best cos atmospherics, wobbles and shakes will have messed half of them up. Taking snaps of Jupiter with the 300d can be done but its a can of slimy wiggly things and shouldnt be attempted lightly The usual weapon of choice for planets is a webcam or a dedicated ccd camera much easier than using a DSLR beleive me. Hope that helps Phil Edited February 5, 2012 by philjay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Great, thanks for the pointers. How much of the moon can I expect to capture in the shot? I ask because I've seen lots of talk of patching together a lot of shots mosaic style or some such? Or is that if folks are using a webcam and say a 2x barlow? Oh yes, nearly forgot, is not having a moon filter going to be a big mistake or will I get away with it? Likewise for removing the whatsit in the camera (I want to say IR filter but probably wrong) Edited February 5, 2012 by Perkil8r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) 300D / 200P You're looking at about a 25% frame fill with a full moon Yes, mosaics are for webcam users Edited February 5, 2012 by Kheldar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I started with my Nikon then moved onto a Canon 300d then to my 1000d. Good information here - http://www.nightskyimages.co.uk/ and settings for the 300d here - http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/EOS300Dastro.html Hope it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 Excellent links, thank you very much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now