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10-28-2022, 05:30 PM - 38 Likes   #1
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K3III astrotracer Type 3 is a beast

I have been using Pentax as astrophotography camera with or without altazimuth mount for years. In the old days, K3II, K-1 with built-in astrotracer are great, but you always feel it is just a backup plan. This summer I used K3III intensively with the new version firmware and astrotracer Type 3. The result is amazing and a game changer. It makes Pentax astrophotography with astrotracer a different world. All the photos are shot with DA200mm and ISO3200,F4,60" near 20 frames and dark, flat, darkflat, bias frames. STC Clip-in filter made in Taiwan is a booster. They work great.

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Last edited by Jeremychou; 10-29-2022 at 06:34 PM.
10-28-2022, 05:48 PM - 1 Like   #2
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All wonderful! Great work
10-28-2022, 08:19 PM   #3
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What software do you use to process these?
10-28-2022, 11:22 PM   #4
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congrats; looks stunning

10-28-2022, 11:30 PM - 3 Likes   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Belnan Quote
All wonderful! Great work
Thanks, Have a good day

---------- Post added 10-28-22 at 11:31 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by rpjallan Quote
What software do you use to process these?
I use Astro Pixel Processor for stacking, Photoshop for editing, Topaz Denoise to denoise
10-28-2022, 11:49 PM   #6
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Very nice. Would you say the benefits of the k3iii astrotracer outweigh the benefits if a full frame sensor of the k1 ii? I am looking at both at the moment for astro- currently using an old k3.
10-29-2022, 02:42 AM - 2 Likes   #7
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Great shots! I know the camera is nice, but there is a solid photographer capturing these images too.

QuoteOriginally posted by Alnjpn Quote
Very nice. Would you say the benefits of the k3iii astrotracer outweigh the benefits if a full frame sensor of the k1 ii? I am looking at both at the moment for astro- currently using an old k3.
The K-1 and K-1 II have astro tracer hardware within them, whereas the K-3 III has a software version. So the K-1 cameras need to have a calibration done before shooting, but after that, they should have similar results. The K-3 III takes a sky image and based on movement it detects on that image, it will move the sensor to compensate. There shouldn't be a big difference in the field, although certainly the calibration process can be a bit finicky.

10-29-2022, 07:32 AM - 3 Likes   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alnjpn Quote
Very nice. Would you say the benefits of the k3iii astrotracer outweigh the benefits if a full frame sensor of the k1 ii? I am looking at both at the moment for astro- currently using an old k3.
Please take the road less travel. K3III is the only answer if you are interested in deep sky objects besides milky way.

---------- Post added 10-29-22 at 07:37 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
Great shots! I know the camera is nice, but there is a solid photographer capturing these images too.



The K-1 and K-1 II have astro tracer hardware within them, whereas the K-3 III has a software version. So the K-1 cameras need to have a calibration done before shooting, but after that, they should have similar results. The K-3 III takes a sky image and based on movement it detects on that image, it will move the sensor to compensate. There shouldn't be a big difference in the field, although certainly the calibration process can be a bit finicky.
I have K-1 for years. If you use telescope lenses above 200mm and shoot more than 60", the edge begins trailing obviously. If wont happen on K3III Type 3. Like I said, It is a different world.
10-29-2022, 08:04 PM - 1 Like   #9
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What is the difference K3-III versus K1? don't both move the sensor?
10-30-2022, 07:41 AM - 2 Likes   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by bwgv001 Quote
What is the difference K3-III versus K1? don't both move the sensor?
My guess comes down to the SR rating for both cameras. The K-1 has I believe 5 or maybe 5.5 stops of compensation (movement of the sensor) rated with a 50 mm lens.
The K-3 Mark III has 5 or 5.5 stops rated with an 85 mm focal length. So the sensor in the K-3 Mark III can move more than the K-1/II.
10-30-2022, 08:55 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by bwgv001 Quote
What is the difference K3-III versus K1? don't both move the sensor?
Yes they both move the sensor. But with K-1, you “move” the camera for calibration. With K3III you dont need to “move” the camera. Find the target and shoot the target.
10-31-2022, 12:56 AM   #12
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I'm sure it is great but how do you explain the edge streaking on one system vs the other. Maybe the difference in sensor size, as the borders will be moving proportionally more on the full frame.
10-31-2022, 07:13 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevejo Quote
I'm sure it is great but how do you explain the edge streaking on one system vs the other. Maybe the difference in sensor size, as the borders will be moving proportionally more on the full frame.
yes, I think you are right. I check my old astrophoto back in 2018. It was K-1 with DA200 on 21P comet, M35, jerryfish and monkeyhead nebula. It was not a bad result. But the thing is that calibration of k-1 is a hassle if you considering using K3III astrotracer Type 3.


Last edited by Jeremychou; 10-31-2022 at 07:23 AM.
11-01-2022, 07:45 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Jeremychou Quote
I have been using Pentax as astrophotography camera with or without altazimuth mount for years. In the old days, K3II, K-1 with built-in astrotracer are great, but you always feel it is just a backup plan. This summer I used K3III intensively with the new version firmware and astrotracer Type 3. The result is amazing and a game changer. It makes Pentax astrophotography with astrotracer a different world. All the photos are shot with DA200mm and ISO3200,F4,60" near 20 frames and dark, flat, darkflat, bias frames. STC Clip-in filter made in Taiwan is a booster. They work great.
congrats; wonderful
11-01-2022, 09:47 AM   #15
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Pity that the K1 software probably won't be upgraded with this version of astrotracer. However I find the calibration is ok with the K1ii, better than the KP with the GPS unit.
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