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Posts Made By: James Brown

April 25, 2006 05:42 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M81

Posted By James Brown
Hi, I hope you like this. I am concerned that it is too dark. It looks fine on my calibrated monitor at home, but some of the detail, like the dwarf satellite galaxy at the top of the frame is lost on my un-calibrated monitor at work.

TEC APO 140, Losmandy g-11, Starlight Express SXV H-9, AstroDon LRGB filters.

LRGB 200/170/120/120 min (15 min subs) over 2 nights.

Jim

May 2, 2006 09:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Periodic Auto Focus

Posted By James Brown
Hi all: I would like to find a simple script or program that would make my imaging system periodically auto focus during a long imaging sequence. When I am asleep for instance.

I am aware of full featured programs like CCD Autopilot and ACP, but I don't need all of the features available with these products, e.g. target acquisition, dome control, plate solves etc.

Basically, I want something that will require an autofocus after filter changes, or after every 5 images for example. I would still manually compose the image and set up an imaging sequence. I use Maxim DL and Focus Max. I think a simple ASCOM script might do it, but the programming is beyond me.

Thanks for any input.

Jim

May 6, 2006 06:23 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M82

Posted By James Brown
This is a (L+Ha)(R+Ha)GB composite, the first time I have tried something that tricky. The mixing was done with Photoshop CS. Exposure times are 300,168,120,120 and 300 Ha. 15 minute subs for LRGB, 30 minutes for Ha.

TEC 140/G11/SXV-H9,Astrodon filters. Suburban, but transparent site. Seeing here is typically horrible! I hope you like this image.

Jim

May 8, 2006 12:59 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Drowsy Yearlings

Posted By James Brown
A small herd of young mule deer, after a full day of munching spring greens, decided to take a mid-afternoon siesta above the ravine behind our house.

Canon 300D at the prime focus of a Tak Sky 90.

Jim

June 8, 2006 04:14 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Amazing, in a small way

Posted By James Brown
Did anyone else notice ads 433358 and 433359 which were posted within 60 seconds of each other. Amazing coincidence? Or evidence of

(on edit) I lost my internet connection as I was trying to finish the above post. I better quit while I am ahead. grin

Jim

June 12, 2006 03:21 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Mountain Goat

Posted By James Brown
Hi all:

A mountain goat from the small herd that lives on Mount Evans, West of Denver.

Canon 300D; Tamron 28-300 mm zoom. Hand held.

We saw several goats and bighorn sheep, but this fellow was the only one close enough to photograph well.

Jim

July 5, 2006 06:50 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Newbie seller alert

Posted By James Brown
You guys all know how every now and then someone will question the wisdom of buying an expensive telescope from an Astromart "newbie". You know, the guy with no ratings, no forum posts, only been a member for 3 weeks etc...

Who would buy something pricey from that guy right?

Sometimes the conventional wisdom is not so wise.... wink

For example, this ad recently caught my eye:

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=438731

Maybe the seller's name will ring a bell. If it doesn't, you have been missing the work of one of the finest astrophotography artists in the known universe.

http://www.rc-astro.com/

I would think that Mr. Croman could tack a few extra bucks onto the price of his NP 101 just because of the pedigree! grin


Take care, Jim


July 7, 2006 03:27 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Elk Calve(s)

Posted By James Brown
The open space behind our home was over run with elk this evening. And it sure looks like it was a good year for babies!

These first shots are taken with a Digital Rebel (Canon 300D) at the prime focus of a TEC APO 140. I guesstimate the shutter speed and let Photoshop set the contrast later. The computer seems to get a better balance than I do when I try to manipulate these photos by hand.

The last shots were taken with the 300D and a Tamron zoom lens.

It was a spectacular evening... The herd is still out there even though it is now dark. We can hear the calves calling out now and then. grin (They squeak... sorta :S )

Jim

July 13, 2006 03:35 PM Forum: Sports

An American in Yellow

Posted By James Brown
Landis will take the Maillot Jaune after finishing third in the second Pyrenees stage. Go Floyd!

Jim

July 18, 2006 02:21 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Humming Bird Wars

Posted By James Brown
My wife and I have a little third-floor condo up in the mountains. The deck right below ours has a hummer feeder, which allowed me a different perspective on several of these beauties! A male Rufous vigorously defended the feeder from all others, but while he was chasing one intruder away, another would sneak in. The intruders were Broad-tails (I think), both male and female, plus a female Rufous. It was very entertaining, and very difficult to focus on these guys in flight! The male Rufous was relentless in the defense of his turf.

The first picture is my favorite, a female Broad tail looking us over, eye-to-eye!

Jim

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