Some more Cedar WaxwingsPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Jeff
Posts Made By: Jeff Hapeman
February 20, 2006 03:06 AM
Forum:
Birding Optics and Photos
February 20, 2006 03:15 AM
Forum:
Landscape Photography
snow and more snow (river scenes)Posted By Jeff Hapeman |
Nice shots, Mark!
Jeff
Jeff
March 21, 2006 04:40 AM
Forum:
Digital SLR AstroPhotography
Dust on the CCDPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Yikes, there is some good and some very bad advice in this thread. The best thing to do is use a regular bulb-blower. I would also recommend using the Copper Hill process, which includes a special brush that can take a static charge to lift the dust from the sensor, and then a special cleaning pad and fluid (identical to what Canon service uses). Using a vacuum cleaner is a terrible idea. I have hear of several cameras ruined that way. Using canned air is terrible, as most canned air has oils in the can that can mar the cover over the sensor on your camera.
Please go here: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning and educate yourself, and then give it whirl. I have used it for several years, and use it on my most expensive cameras--that's how much I trust it.
Jeff
Please go here: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning and educate yourself, and then give it whirl. I have used it for several years, and use it on my most expensive cameras--that's how much I trust it.
Jeff
April 6, 2006 03:54 AM
Forum:
Landscape Photography
Sunrise from Coconut CreekPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Uhhh...ahhhh....darn. Here I am in WI. 8O
Sweet view and nice shot.
Jeff
Sweet view and nice shot.
Jeff
April 9, 2006 08:48 PM
Forum:
Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos
The Boys (Girls?) Are BackPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Wow. We won't see those guys for three months here...
Jeff
Jeff
May 1, 2006 05:26 AM
Forum:
CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky
M13 - Epsilon 160Posted By Jeff Hapeman |
Great shot, Ty. I love the colors of the stars.
Jeff
Jeff
July 3, 2006 01:42 AM
Forum:
Digital SLR AstroPhotography
Nebulosity around Gamma Cyg (Sadr)Posted By Jeff Hapeman |
Very nice, Ivan. I am going to be posting my slightly wider-field version shortly. Great minds think alike 
.
Jeff
.Jeff
July 3, 2006 02:08 AM
Forum:
Digital SLR AstroPhotography
20Da vs Modified 20D or Rebel??Posted By Jeff Hapeman |
Gary Israel said:
I just bought a new 20Da but I keep reading how much better the modified images are and I am thinking of trading down ($ wise) I just got it yesterday and the focus feature seems great, but I could stand to spend less - especially if the IQ is better.
Any opinions to help me out?
Thanks!
The modified cameras are *slightly* more red-sensitive. I know, I had both. It's not a big difference. You spend a LOT of time trying to correct the images on the modified cameras, since they come out very red overall, whereas with the 20Da, the images are pretty much ready to go--you might need to tweak the reds a bit, but that's it.
The focus feature is way more valuable than you can imagine, especially if you do any wide-field imaging. I sold the modified 20D and kept the 20Da and I don't find any difference in exposure times or processing.
One other secret that has been documented in a few places, and I confirmed it with testing: The 20Da has about 1.5 stops *less* noise than the 20D. That is HUGE for astro-imaging.
Keep the 20Da...it will also retain its resale value over the years very well, whereas a modified camera will not.
Jeff
July 3, 2006 04:10 AM
Forum:
Digital SLR AstroPhotography
Eagle, Swan and the Big M24 Star CloudPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Really cool, Ivan. Looks like you need to adjust the blackpoint a tiny bit though. If you want, I can post a quick tweak to this image.
Jeff
Jeff
July 22, 2006 02:34 AM
Forum:
Digital SLR AstroPhotography
More questions - 20Da and SkyMemoPosted By Jeff Hapeman |
Gary,
Balance is very critical on this mount. Make sure it's a tiny bit heavier to the east. Also, let it run for about 10-15 minutes to settle in, and it will be fine--the gears needs to take up a little slack. A few other things to check:
Make sure there is no slip in the RA; tighten it very hard and also see if you need to adjust the clutch. I tweaked mine.
Check to make sure the polar alignment scope is properly centered/aligned. You can do that during daylight--there are lots of instructions online for how to do it. I also tweaked my polar alignment scope a bit.
You should be fine at 10 minutes plus with 200mm. I almost always shoot 10 minutes at 200mm and have gone as long as 15 minutes with no trailing.
Jeff
Balance is very critical on this mount. Make sure it's a tiny bit heavier to the east. Also, let it run for about 10-15 minutes to settle in, and it will be fine--the gears needs to take up a little slack. A few other things to check:
Make sure there is no slip in the RA; tighten it very hard and also see if you need to adjust the clutch. I tweaked mine.
Check to make sure the polar alignment scope is properly centered/aligned. You can do that during daylight--there are lots of instructions online for how to do it. I also tweaked my polar alignment scope a bit.
You should be fine at 10 minutes plus with 200mm. I almost always shoot 10 minutes at 200mm and have gone as long as 15 minutes with no trailing.
Jeff
