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Posts Made By: Steven Jindra

June 12, 2007 08:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

One Dumb Question

Posted By Steven Jindra
Jess
Not a dumb question. I use MaximDL/CCD and it does perform a star match aligment that is very good and will even adjust for field rotation as well. The software is a little pricey, but if you plan to stay in this hobby long term, it is definely worth considering.
Have fun.
Steven Jindra

June 27, 2007 04:33 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Drilling extra holes in the OTA of a Meade LX200 8

Posted By Steven Jindra
Authur
I have drilled and tapped holes in SCT OTA's before. Most screws are 8/32 or 10/32. Usually, it will involve drilling all the way through the tube (the heavier aluminum structure). If possible, drill the last of of the hole from the bottom and tap the hole from the bottom to avoid shaving as much as possible. Do not use oil when tapping (I use water or spit) and back the tap out often to clear the threads.

Even with this, I had to remove the front corrector and dust out a few shavings on one occation

For the weight of the 66ED, a rail all the way across the top with guidscope rings, would be the preferred mounting. A counterbalance rail and weight on the bottom of the 8" OTA will be needed as well.

Hope this helps
Steven Jindra

July 4, 2007 11:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Too many scopes...Your suggestions?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Bill
I support your suggestion. Obviously you prefer refractors as I do. I have a number of other OTA's for imaging, but for my visual use I have settled on a 5" APO (Tak FS-128) on an a CG5-ASGT mount. It's light enough for easy setup and is ready for viewing in a very short time.

60mm, 66mm, 80mm APO refractors are nice finders for visual use and very nice for wide field imaging.

A 4" APO just isn't quite enough resolution, a 6" APO would be nice, but costs a small fortune and is a load to set up.

I've found the FS-128, at $3,000 to $3,500, to be one of the best values in quality 5" APO's to pop up every now and then on Astromart.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.
Steven Jindra

July 10, 2007 10:04 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Where Can You Buy A Modified Webcam w/Peltier?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Gene
You can post a WANTED ad on in the Classifieds for one. As an alternative, the prices of some of the lower end Starlight Xpress, SBIG, and Orion Starshoot Deep Space cameras are very good now and are of proven quality.

July 16, 2007 06:22 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

SkyView Deluxe mount troubles

Posted By Steven Jindra
David

Definitely try the suggestions for fixing the mount, as it probably is recoverable. But you did ask about a replacement if required.

For visual use only, I think the newer model Celestron ASGT Goto Mount (with the 2" SS legs) is one of the better values going at this time. I have one for a 5" F8 refractor (FS-128) and at times a 9.25" SCT OTA and it works great. It's stable enough for high power viewing, the Go-To function is nice, plus the size is easily portable. For a polar scope, the Orion version fits and is better quality.

But again, hopefully yours can be fixed.
Regards
Steven Jindra

July 18, 2007 04:22 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Televue .8 Focal Reducer

Posted By Steven Jindra
Floyd
Yes. The closer you can get to obtaining the recommended metal back distance the better the focal reducer will work according to it's design. Check your camera specs to find the distance from the front of the camera to the CCD chip and then measure the length of the adaptor needed.
Hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

July 30, 2007 01:20 PM Forum: Refractors

Which one and why?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Wayne
If it's dedicated to imaging I would go with the FSQ. It's really designed for great images and matches up well in arc/seconds per pixel with your camera. If it was for both visual and imaging, then the larger scopes would bear more consideration.

My personal setup includes an FS-128 for visual and an FS-102 with .6 FR for imaging with an SXV-H9 (comparable to your camera). Someday in the future (as finances allow)I would like to upgrade the FS-102 to the FSQ.

Great choices either way.
Steven Jindra

August 5, 2007 05:28 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

1 scope vs 3 scopes

Posted By Steven Jindra
Dave
I agree with your first thought. For my visual use, I have an FS-128 and a 9.25 Celestron. The 5" APO is the most used. The FS-128 is not a heavy scope and I find it easy to set up. I've got an alt-az mount for quick looks and a G5-ASGT GEM for longer sessions.

Let me qualify that most of my viewing is from the city and includes planets and brighter deep space objects.

Let us know your decision.
Thanks
Steven Jindra

August 8, 2007 02:56 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

BINNING

Posted By Steven Jindra
John
I haven't used the the DSI Color, but color imagers usually have a Bayer pattern using 4 pixels with RGB micro filters to determine color. Many color imagers allow binning, but then act as a black and white image only.
I hope this helps a little.
Thanks
Steven Jindra

August 26, 2007 02:00 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Imaging scope(s)?

Posted By Steven Jindra
If the 78F8 is the Tak FS78 it make a very nice imager, especially with the Tak focal reducer (to F6).
Steven Jindra

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