Image settings

I will be trying out my new Orion Starshoot this weekend for the first time with an lx90 8in., mounted on a wedge. It will be at a fairly dark site in South Florida. For Deep Space objects, say m42, how may exposures and for what duration should I start out with. Is there some way to calculate these settings, or is it pretty much hit or miss? My other question is, with the Maxim DL software can I slew the scope without using the paddle.

Thanks,
Joe Moskowitz

Joe, join the Yahoo Group dedicated to the Starshoot...it will be your best bet for answers on it...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Orion_StarShoot/


Good luck! 8)


P.S.
I have one too, and still learning, as only had one chance to try it...

Joe,
Best of luck with your new equipment. While I don't use the Starshoot, I do use an 8" LX90 so I can answer a bit of your question. If you're shooting unguided you will be pretty limited to around 30 seconds per image. I've gone up to a minute with a Meade 3.3 focal reducer, and get around 45 seconds with good consistency with a 6.3 FR. At f/10 30 seconds is probably the limit. It's more a scope/mount thing than camera. I've also found my scope tracks differently in different sky orientations. So shoot however long you can go with keeping the stars round for each individual exposure, but do shoot lots and lots and lots then stack them. It's quite magical how merging all those images lets you bring out detail and smooth out the backgorund. The more data you gather at night, the happier you'll be in post processing the next day. Save for the very brightest objects (M57, M27, M13, M42, etc.) I've learned to aim for at least an hour. Another Yahoo site to browse is the LX90 group--the photos section will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Have fun,
Larry