[kalasinman]

Hi, I'm Jack. I live in N.E. Thailand. I've been a hobby photog for50 od years, obviously film mostly. Got a Nikon D5100 almost 2 years back and I love it. I've been doing astro photography about a year now. Warning the hobby will empty your wallet. If it doesn't, you aren't really into it ;-) . I just decided to do some wide field with my DSLR adapted to a Pentax SMC 67 IF 200mm. It won't quite reach focus at infinity, even hard on the stop. Love to find an adjustment for this, as those pesky stars are far.

[TER-OR]

Welcome to the clubhouse!

You might have fun with a K5IIs and GPS unit for astrophotography - wide field in particular.

Is the register distance different on the Nikon to SMC 67 lens? I don't know if a spacer works or if it's the other way. You might want to start a thread in the Lens section here.

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome aboard, remember to post some of those star images when you get a chance.

[kalasinman]

I like the KIIs, same sensor as my D5100. I just modified the sensor, removed the anti aliasing, and the color filter. Added a Baader astro conversion filter as the stock color filters eliminate light from the Hydrogen Alpha part of the spectrum which is needed for emission nebulae.
I started last May with astro -stage 1, DSLR on tripod. Milky way shot was one of the first.
Stage 2 added EQmount and GSO scope with auto guiding. Markarian's Chain image was from March, end of Stage 2. Then the skies closed out until maybe October.
Stage 3 in works now adding: plate solving, coma corrector, motor focuser, and the Pentax.
BTW any way I can help, I'm happy to.--Jack

Attached Images

   

[TER-OR]

Most impressive.

[kalasinman]

Trying to count the galaxies in the Markarian's Chain image I gave up at 20. Of course stage 3 will fix the problems I see in this.