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04-16-2015, 02:30 PM   #781
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Trying to resolve small details like galaxies w/a regular lens is a lesson in futility..M-31 however, would be a good galaxy target for a lens, yet it has a high dynamic range (similar to M-42), where the "core" is brighter than the outlying structure.

04-16-2015, 11:27 PM   #782
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QuoteOriginally posted by SKYGZR Quote
Trying to resolve small details like galaxies w/a regular lens is a lesson in futility..M-31 however, would be a good galaxy target for a lens, yet it has a high dynamic range (similar to M-42), where the "core" is brighter than the outlying structure.


Thank you for the hint, I'll give it a try as soon as possible.......

---------- Post added 04-17-15 at 08:30 ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by JimmyDranox Quote
For focusing try a Bahtinov Mask. You can find different sizes in astronomy stores. It's the best way to achieve focus on stars.


Thank you for the tip, Jimmy, I will investigate in the Internet to inform me at the weekend.
04-18-2015, 05:05 PM - 1 Like   #783
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QuoteOriginally posted by SKYGZR Quote
Trying to resolve small details like galaxies w/a regular lens is a lesson in futility..M-31 however, would be a good galaxy target for a lens, yet it has a high dynamic range (similar to M-42), where the "core" is brighter than the outlying structure.


I already had my chance on M31 with an old SMC Pentax M 135/3.5 that I found in the bay for 30 €. It was my first try with astrophotographie in Oktober 2014.


04-18-2015, 09:03 PM   #784
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nice!

04-20-2015, 01:10 PM - 2 Likes   #785
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m31 & m45





Pentax K5, takumar 200/4, Skywatcher Star Adventurer
180s iso1600
Everglades NP
04-21-2015, 01:52 AM   #786
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QuoteOriginally posted by stanzhou Quote




Pentax K5, takumar 200/4, Skywatcher Star Adventurer
180s iso1600
Everglades NP
Very nice!


My own brandnew Skywatcher Adventurer just arrived - not unboxed it yet!


Can you please tell me the maximum exposure time you can achieve without trailing unsing the Takumar 200/4?
And do you perhaps have some hints or trick for optimal usage?


Regards
Peter
04-21-2015, 10:38 AM - 1 Like   #787
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Here's NGC2903 (magnitude = 9.56 and size = 12.53 x 5.48 arc minutes). This was 5 x 10 minutes sub frames @ 80 ISO for a 50 minute total. It is a crop from the full field of view and resampled down in size. All the image processing was in PixInsight.

I really want a longer total time on this one, to get better detail on the faint outer arms and get a smoother background. I got clouded out after 50 minutes back in January when these frames were taken and the sky hasn't let me get more sub frames yet. Now it is setting in western half of the sky, so I may wait until next winter to shoot it rising in the east since I seem to have better results with my auto-guiding shooting that way. When I'm able to take more frames, they will be done with the K5IIs that I've gotten since January.

This was shot with a K5 through a AT6RC, was auto-guided with PHD2 and Meade DSI pro through a AT50GS, and on a LXD55 mount - shown below the galaxy pic. I had already removed the cables before I remembered to take a pic of the setup. I'm running the K5 from my laptop using PK_Tether.

I've really been enjoying both the K5 and K5IIs through my telescopes and I've done some good wider field astro stuff through my DA 55-300 as well.

Attached Images
 
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SGH-I437P  Photo 

Last edited by wigley891; 04-21-2015 at 10:57 AM.
04-21-2015, 01:01 PM   #788
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pete_XL Quote
Very nice!


My own brandnew Skywatcher Adventurer just arrived - not unboxed it yet!


Can you please tell me the maximum exposure time you can achieve without trailing unsing the Takumar 200/4?
And do you perhaps have some hints or trick for optimal usage?


Regards
Peter
if you calibrate polar alignment really perfect under windless night, it's capable of 300s of tracking at 200mm but normally I just expose 180s maximum for single frame.
polar alignment is kind of pain, I am not sure which version are you having.
I am having a astro version with L shape plate, polar light cannot fit into L-plate so I have to use my cellphone light to calibrate polar alignment.
04-22-2015, 07:41 AM   #789
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M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

Finally a clear night. Here is M51 Whirlpool Galaxy.

Imaging from a heavily light polluted area (Orange borderline red zone).

30x200" ISO800 through 8"SCT @ f6.3 and Pentax k5
Mount NEQ6

04-22-2015, 10:34 AM - 2 Likes   #790
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International Space Station(ISS) flyover last night with the K5, DA15 and O-GPS1
102 sec

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's...an International Space Station!
04-22-2015, 10:44 AM   #791
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Nice.
04-22-2015, 01:14 PM   #792
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Superb !
04-22-2015, 04:41 PM   #793
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QuoteOriginally posted by mikeSF Quote
International Space Station(ISS) flyover last night with the K5, DA15 and O-GPS1
102 sec

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's...an International Space Station!
Nice result.
04-22-2015, 05:37 PM   #794
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pete_XL Quote
I already had my chance on M31 with an old SMC Pentax M 135/3.5 that I found in the bay for 30 €. It was my first try with astrophotographie in Oktober 2014.

Nice capture. Well done.

---------- Post added 04-22-15 at 05:40 PM ----------

I'm new to the Pentax Forum but I have used Pentax gear for many years for my astronomy hobby. Is there a thread for the K3 camera and astrophotography? I've been thinking about attempting it with my telescopes.
04-23-2015, 09:23 AM   #795
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QuoteOriginally posted by seti_v2 Quote
Finally a clear night. Here is M51 Whirlpool Galaxy.

Imaging from a heavily light polluted area (Orange borderline red zone).

30x200" ISO800 through 8"SCT @ f6.3 and Pentax k5
Mount NEQ6
Nice photograph of M51. I have a 8 inch Celestron Orange SCT and I've been thinking about trying astrophotography with it this coming summer. How long did you expose the shot of M51? Is there somewhere or someplace here or on the internet where there is a listing of exposure times and shutter speeds for the Pentax camera for Galaxies such as M51; M81; M82; Globular Clusters like M13 and M5 as well as the planets: Jupiter; Saturn; and, Mars? Thanks.
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