The Astro-Q Club!

post_eos · 01-22-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration:

I'd be careful if I were you. It looks like that thing bites

**crewl1** · 01-22-2013, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration:

Cool! Look forward to the pics.

ivoire · 01-22-2013, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration:

Tonight I'm going to try video capture and see if I can get better images for stacking that way. Oops, just noticed I need to put the TCs back on.

The video project is a great idea... hadn't thought of that

**wcr13** · 01-22-2013, 06:02 PM - **3 Likes**

I have no experience in astrophotography (probably obvious), but I am amazed that the Q could accomplish this. This is Jupiter with what I think are 4 of its moons. Q with Tokina 800mm f/8 manual lens.

Attached Images

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**baro-nite** · 01-22-2013, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by wcr13

I have no experience in astrophotography (probably obvious), but I am amazed that the Q could accomplish this. This is Jupiter with what I think are 4 of its moons. Q with Tokina 800mm f/8 manual lens.

Well, now you do have experience in astrophotography.

Well done! Does indeed look like Jupiter; the moons always stay pretty much in line so that must be a star off to the right. (When was this taken?)

At f/8 you should be able to get a good exposure at ISO 800, 1/80 second; the moons will be dim, but you should get detail on Jupiter. Is there a mirror lens in my future???

ivoire · 01-22-2013, 07:10 PM

Nice work. The more you shoot the better you get. That is Jupiter. There are 4 moons but like you, every pic i've taken only shows 3

**baro-nite** · 01-22-2013, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by ivoire

The video project is a great idea... hadn't thought of that

Not my idea; some of the most stunning amateur planetary imaging I've seen is stacked images from CCD video capture. Anyway, the main thing I got from this evening's session was a reminder of the importance of "seeing", i.e. atmospheric stability or the lack thereof. I had clear dark skies and little wind, and it had been a cold day (for here), and Jupiter is almost straight overhead (least atmosphere in the way), and yet the heat shimmer has a huge effect in the video I shot. That plus I'm at a bit of a loss as to stacking software that handles video and/or untracked objects easily, and I'm not sure where I'll go with this. Here's a still cropped from some video:

Sunrise at the Gassendi crater
Still cropped from video (Pentax Q, 1080p, ISO 800, 1/160)
DA* 300 on 2x and 1.4x TCs, down a stop (combined for f/16)

So next time I want to try this, it'll have to be in the dark of the morning.

**wcr13** · 01-22-2013, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by ivoire

Nice work. The more you shoot the better you get. That is Jupiter. There are 4 moons but like you, every pic i've taken only shows 3

Baro-nite and Ivoirie, Thank you for the kind words and for the information on Jupiter's moons. I took the picture last night, when Jupiter was close to the moon (I would not otherwise have been able to locate/identify it).

Thank you for the tips on exposure settings. I went out to try them tonight, but it is slightly cloudy and I will have to try again when the sky is clearer.

The Tokina is not a mirror lens, it is a t-mount, preset lens. An impulse eBay purchase that has been sitting around waiting for the Q to make it useful. lol

**alfa75ts** · 01-22-2013, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by wcr13

I would not otherwise have been able to locate/identify it

I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems.

VisualDarkness · 01-22-2013, 08:12 PM - **3 Likes**

Made a video with Pentax Q + Kenko 1.5x PzAF + DA* 300mm F4:

You Tube

ivoire · 01-22-2013, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by alfa75ts

I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems.

That's a good program. If you have an i-phone, android or windows phone, i-pad or android tablet there are apps that will use your current position and point you to the celestial body/star of your choice.

mgbirder · 01-22-2013, 10:03 PM - **1 Like**

This will be a nice new threat, the Q is a very useful tool indeed.
Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500 ... I totally forgot to use the aperture ring on the Fotodiox Adapter, so i think it was pretty near to fully closed (in my excuse... it was 1:30 am when I finally went out to look at the sky

)
Here is one of my results:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51467365@N00/8405745874/in/photostream/

**baro-nite** · 01-23-2013, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by wcr13

The Tokina is not a mirror lens, it is a t-mount, preset lens. An impulse eBay purchase that has been sitting around waiting for the Q to make it useful. lol

Holy mother of a massive lens! I look forward to your next attempts.

Originally posted by alfa75ts

I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems.

A good recommendation -- I haven't used it in several years, but remember it as impressive even then. Nowadays I'm using SkyWatcher on iOS, just stunning.

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Made a video with Pentax Q + Kenko 1.5x PzAF + DA* 300mm F4:

Nicely done, and also answers a question I had after also shooting some Moon video: is rolling shutter a factor, or is it all atmospheric shimmer? Given that you have a similar amount of shimmer to what I got but are shooting at half the magnification (hence half the apparent motion) I'd say it's all atmosphere.

Originally posted by mgbirder

Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500

Looks great!

VisualDarkness · 01-23-2013, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by mgbirder

This will be a nice new threat, the Q is a very useful tool indeed.
Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500 ... I totally forgot to use the aperture ring on the Fotodiox Adapter, so i think it was pretty near to fully closed (in my excuse... it was 1:30 am when I finally went out to look at the sky

)
Here is one of my results:
Moon and Jupiter Conjuction - 21.01.2013 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Nice, you also got the colors in there! I haven't had the chance to capture Jupiter like this due to the turbulence and haze high up in the sky, as you can see in my movie.

Originally posted by baro-nite

Nicely done, and also answers a question I had after also shooting some Moon video: is rolling shutter a factor, or is it all atmospheric shimmer? Given that you have a similar amount of shimmer to what I got but are shooting at half the magnification (hence half the apparent motion) I'd say it's all atmosphere.

Yeah, this is at least mainly turbulence, without a doubt.

djseeram · 01-23-2013, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by wcr13

I have no experience in astrophotography (probably obvious), but I am amazed that the Q could accomplish this. This is Jupiter with what I think are 4 of its moons. Q with Tokina 800mm f/8 manual lens.

Very good first shot. Decrease the exposure and fine tune the focus and you should be able to see cloud bands on jupiter.

01-22-2013, 10:03 PM - 1 Like	#42
mgbirder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cali Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	Moon and Jupiter This will be a nice new threat, the Q is a very useful tool indeed. Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500 ... I totally forgot to use the aperture ring on the Fotodiox Adapter, so i think it was pretty near to fully closed (in my excuse... it was 1:30 am when I finally went out to look at the sky ) Here is one of my results: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51467365@N00/8405745874/in/photostream/ Attached Images

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01-22-2013, 05:21 PM	#31
post_eos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside CA Photos: Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by baro-nite My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration: I'd be careful if I were you. It looks like that thing bites

01-22-2013, 05:47 PM	#32
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by baro-nite My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration: Cool! Look forward to the pics.

01-22-2013, 05:47 PM	#33
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by baro-nite My makeshift eQtorial Qnfiguration: Tonight I'm going to try video capture and see if I can get better images for stacking that way. Oops, just noticed I need to put the TCs back on. The video project is a great idea... hadn't thought of that

01-22-2013, 06:43 PM	#35
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294 Original Poster	Originally posted by wcr13 I have no experience in astrophotography (probably obvious), but I am amazed that the Q could accomplish this. This is Jupiter with what I think are 4 of its moons. Q with Tokina 800mm f/8 manual lens. Well, now you do have experience in astrophotography. Well done! Does indeed look like Jupiter; the moons always stay pretty much in line so that must be a star off to the right. (When was this taken?) At f/8 you should be able to get a good exposure at ISO 800, 1/80 second; the moons will be dim, but you should get detail on Jupiter. Is there a mirror lens in my future???

01-22-2013, 07:10 PM	#36
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Nice work. The more you shoot the better you get. That is Jupiter. There are 4 moons but like you, every pic i've taken only shows 3

01-22-2013, 07:27 PM	#37
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294 Original Poster	Originally posted by ivoire The video project is a great idea... hadn't thought of that Not my idea; some of the most stunning amateur planetary imaging I've seen is stacked images from CCD video capture. Anyway, the main thing I got from this evening's session was a reminder of the importance of "seeing", i.e. atmospheric stability or the lack thereof. I had clear dark skies and little wind, and it had been a cold day (for here), and Jupiter is almost straight overhead (least atmosphere in the way), and yet the heat shimmer has a huge effect in the video I shot. That plus I'm at a bit of a loss as to stacking software that handles video and/or untracked objects easily, and I'm not sure where I'll go with this. Here's a still cropped from some video: Sunrise at the Gassendi crater Still cropped from video (Pentax Q, 1080p, ISO 800, 1/160) DA* 300 on 2x and 1.4x TCs, down a stop (combined for f/16) So next time I want to try this, it'll have to be in the dark of the morning.

01-22-2013, 07:34 PM	#38
wcr13 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 4	Originally posted by ivoire Nice work. The more you shoot the better you get. That is Jupiter. There are 4 moons but like you, every pic i've taken only shows 3 Baro-nite and Ivoirie, Thank you for the kind words and for the information on Jupiter's moons. I took the picture last night, when Jupiter was close to the moon (I would not otherwise have been able to locate/identify it). Thank you for the tips on exposure settings. I went out to try them tonight, but it is slightly cloudy and I will have to try again when the sky is clearer. The Tokina is not a mirror lens, it is a t-mount, preset lens. An impulse eBay purchase that has been sitting around waiting for the Q to make it useful. lol

01-22-2013, 08:01 PM	#39
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	Originally posted by wcr13 I would not otherwise have been able to locate/identify it I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems.

01-22-2013, 08:25 PM	#41
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by alfa75ts I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems. That's a good program. If you have an i-phone, android or windows phone, i-pad or android tablet there are apps that will use your current position and point you to the celestial body/star of your choice.

01-23-2013, 07:13 AM	#43
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294 Original Poster	Originally posted by wcr13 The Tokina is not a mirror lens, it is a t-mount, preset lens. An impulse eBay purchase that has been sitting around waiting for the Q to make it useful. lol Holy mother of a massive lens! I look forward to your next attempts. Originally posted by alfa75ts I've noticed this sort of comment a few times in this thread, I suggest installing Stellarium, it's freeware and there are versions for most operating systems. A good recommendation -- I haven't used it in several years, but remember it as impressive even then. Nowadays I'm using SkyWatcher on iOS, just stunning. Originally posted by VisualDarkness Made a video with Pentax Q + Kenko 1.5x PzAF + DA* 300mm F4: Nicely done, and also answers a question I had after also shooting some Moon video: is rolling shutter a factor, or is it all atmospheric shimmer? Given that you have a similar amount of shimmer to what I got but are shooting at half the magnification (hence half the apparent motion) I'd say it's all atmosphere. Originally posted by mgbirder Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500 Looks great!

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01-23-2013, 08:07 AM	#44
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by mgbirder This will be a nice new threat, the Q is a very useful tool indeed. Shot yesterday, with the Q and the Sigma 150-500 ... I totally forgot to use the aperture ring on the Fotodiox Adapter, so i think it was pretty near to fully closed (in my excuse... it was 1:30 am when I finally went out to look at the sky ) Here is one of my results: Moon and Jupiter Conjuction - 21.01.2013 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Nice, you also got the colors in there! I haven't had the chance to capture Jupiter like this due to the turbulence and haze high up in the sky, as you can see in my movie. Originally posted by baro-nite Nicely done, and also answers a question I had after also shooting some Moon video: is rolling shutter a factor, or is it all atmospheric shimmer? Given that you have a similar amount of shimmer to what I got but are shooting at half the magnification (hence half the apparent motion) I'd say it's all atmosphere. Yeah, this is at least mainly turbulence, without a doubt.

01-23-2013, 09:50 PM	#45
djseeram Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 83	Originally posted by wcr13 I have no experience in astrophotography (probably obvious), but I am amazed that the Q could accomplish this. This is Jupiter with what I think are 4 of its moons. Q with Tokina 800mm f/8 manual lens. Very good first shot. Decrease the exposure and fine tune the focus and you should be able to see cloud bands on jupiter.