Image of the day

Captured by
Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Walter Hamler

November 11, 2005 10:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M31 - Andromeda

Posted By Walter Hamler
Great shot Jim. I have been playing with telephoto lenses also, but I have to use film for now. Don't have a ccd or dslr camera yet. I am looking at the Orion CCD camera but want to see some reviews first.
This shot was a couple weeks ago in Chiefland, FL. One hour on Fuji 400 color neg. I used a 350mm f/5.5 t-mount lens, stopped down to 6.3.
I scanned the print and tweaked a little in PS Elements.

Walt

November 22, 2005 10:17 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wise move?

Posted By Walter Hamler
Personally, no. The light grasp advantage will not outweight the difference in extra weight of the larger scope. Also, the goto, albeit nice, is not a big enough factor.
Of course, all this is one mans opinion. Others may be more inclined to want the goto and extra light.
More than anything, it depends on what you want/expect out of your equioment.

Walt

December 9, 2005 04:04 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

RRGB vs RR(G)B

Posted By Walter Hamler
I like the true rrgb better. It has better contrast and gradation.

Walt

December 16, 2005 01:41 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Nikon D70s Vs. Canon REBEL xt

Posted By Walter Hamler
Alvaro,
Get the Canon. It has higher sensitivity than the Nikon. Almost all of the imagers in our club who use dslr's have the Canon's. On has the new 20da and it is an excellent performer, albeit very pricy.
Come by some day or give me a call. Long time since we spoke.

Walt

December 24, 2005 04:49 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First DSLR Shot

Posted By Walter Hamler
Thanks for all the nice responses.
A friend here put it succiently...welcome to the 21st century!!

Walt

January 15, 2006 08:35 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Photoshop Elements

Posted By Walter Hamler
Depends on which version you are referring to. I have ver 2.0 and it is an excellent program for general photography. You can sharpen, do levels, limited color variations, etc. It doesn't have tools specific enough to astrophotography to make stacking, etc, easily doable.
There is now a ver 4.0 with a street price of 90.00 or so, and some reviews in photo magazines tout it pretty highly. However, it still lacks the tools that are needed for astrophotography.
If you just want something to polish off what Maxim or IP have created then it will probably suffice.

Walt

January 17, 2006 09:57 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Horsehead and NGC 2023

Posted By Walter Hamler
Johannes, have you noticed that if you look the right way at the light patch inside the horsehead, there is an "image" of a man, about 3/4 view. I can see a left arm crooked at the waist, a head, ear, eyes and nose, and a hairline. The one lone star imbedded in the cloud appears like a piece of adornment at the bottom of his neck.
Anyway, a very beautiful image!!!!

Walt

February 2, 2006 02:06 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

CI-700..which computer works best?

Posted By Walter Hamler
Tom, I recently purchased a CI-700 that came with the Celestron encoder adapter and computer. It has 4000 tic encoders and the computer is almost identical to the JMI NGC-MAX.
I have been extremely pleased with this setup.
I calibrated the polar scope by doing a drift align and then zeroed the polar scope to polaris after getting an accurate printout of the correct location from Polar 203. From then on, I do a polar align, then a one star align, as if it was a permanant mounted EQ. Every object I "push to" is always in the center of the fov, even with a higher power ep.
Unfortunately the CI-700 encoder setup is no longer available from Celestron. But I have seen them here on AM several times in recent months.
Once you get the encoders, just about any of the computers will work fine. Some folks prefer the Sky Commanders, some the JMI or NGC units. All will work well once you become familiar with them.
Good luck, and enjoy the CI-700. I believe it is one of the better mounts out there, still.

Walt

February 19, 2006 05:19 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Yes I am an Occularoholic

Posted By Walter Hamler
Floyd, what are the specs on the Meade 32mm series 5000? I have a 40mm with the 60 degree fov and adjustable er stop but it is too much exit pupil with my wide field refractor.

Walt

February 19, 2006 11:44 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

CI 700 saddle plate....HELP!

Posted By Walter Hamler
Tom, have you checked the Anacortes website for Mount Accessories. I think either WO or Losmandy make one that will work. The regular G-11 saddle plate indeed only has one clamp knob in the center, but I am pretty sure there are some out there that have two. Then you just have to get the new holes drilled correctly.

Walt

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