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Posts Made By: Michael Roark

January 30, 2003 10:49 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Astrophotography Film

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all! I'm a newbee to astrophotography and I've been successfully taking piggyback photos with my OM-1 (tracking on my Orion SkyView Pro 8 EQ). The photos I've taken so far have been with the new Fuji 800 "4th color layer" film, and I understand that this film basically elminated the ability to resolve reds. I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions for print films to use for both piggyback and prime-focus (when I get the nerve). Most of my targets will be galaxies, nebulae, etc. Thanks!


1/31/03: Sorry all...I didn't realize this was posted in the Equipment Forum. I meant for it to be in "Astrophotography".
Michael

February 21, 2003 03:04 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Film/Color Issues

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all! I'm relatively new to the astrophotography world. I've been taking a lot of piggyback astrophotos with my OM-1 mounted on my Orion SVP 8". My last round of photos of the Orion region turned out really well, but I am still not picking up any color in the nebula or stars (like oranges and reds). I used Kodak Royal Gold 400 this last round, and most of my exposure times were around 15 minutes. If I use slide film, will I be able to resolve the colors? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Michael

February 26, 2003 02:32 AM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Replacing Camera Screen

Posted By Michael Roark
Could anyone tell me where I could find a different screen for my Olympus OM-1 that would make focusing a little easier by letting more light through? Is it something that I would need a camera shop to install? I'm relatively new to this, but I keep reading that you can replace the screen. I'm going to take a stab at prime focus astrophotography soon (when the clouds go away and the temperature doesn't instantly freeze your skin). Thanks!

Mike

March 3, 2003 03:11 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Focusing...

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all! I finally got a clear night in St. Louis last night and got a chance to take some astrophotos. I've been taking only piggyback photos, but I thought I would try coupling my OM-1 to the telescope (an Orion SVP 8") and see what would happen. I've heard that focusing is one of the most difficult tasks in prime focus astrophotography. I was able to view (pretty clearly) the Orion Nebula through the camera's viewfinder and bring it into focus. My question is this...if I can focus the image through the camera's viewfinder, is the image going to necessarily be focused on my prints/slides? It just seemed too easy, and too good to be true. Thanks!

Michael

March 8, 2003 11:53 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Successful First Attempt at Prime Focus

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all! Last week, I took several prime focus astrophotos of the Orion region with my SkyView Pro 8" EQ (with RA motor drive). I coupled my Olympus OM-1 SLR camera to the scope using the camera adapter that came with the scope and a t-ring. I focused the images as closely as I could using the standard focusing screen and camera viewfinder. Exposure times were generally 5-10 minutes, and I used Kodak EliteChrome 200 slide film. The RA motor drive kept the image centered in the viewfinder so well, that I didn't have to make any corrections to the guiding.

Of course, I was skeptical of the results, but this morning I got my slides back from the photo lab and they are OUTSTANDING! M42 is spectacular and full of color, and I was also able to clearly resolve the horsehead nebula. I will post my M42 pictures as soon as I get the slides scanned. Thank you all for you earlier suggestions!

Mike

p.s. Any suggestions on scanning slides? Is it possible to do with a flatbed scanner?

March 11, 2003 06:44 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

First Attempt at Prime Focus (M42)

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all, this is my first attempt at prime focus astrophotography using my Olympus OM-1 coupled to an Orion SkyView Pro 8" EQ (F/5) with RA motor. This photo of M42 was taken using a 5 minute exposure and Kodak Elite Chrome 200 slide film. I think the slide scanning procedure blurred the image, because the stars are in focus on the slide. I welcome any comments. Thanks!

Michael

March 11, 2003 06:47 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Other First Attempt at Prime Focus (horsehead)

Posted By Michael Roark
This is another first-attempt prime focus photograph I took with the same Olympus/Orion SVP 8" setup. On the slide, I can see the horsehead nebula and other areas of nebulosity, but on the scanned slide, I cannot. I tried increasing the red saturation in the image, and when I do, I can see the nebulae, but it washes the slide out in red. Any suggestions?? Thanks!

Michael

May 14, 2003 06:18 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Lunar Eclipse Photography with OM-1

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all...I have a question regarding lunar eclipse photograph with my OM-1. Normally I take long exposure deep sky photos, so I'm a bit new to this. I would like to know if it is possible to do multiple exposures of the eclipse stages to have them all on one slide (I'm using Kodak E200). If it is possible, how do you do it with the OM-1?? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Michael

May 24, 2003 03:53 AM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Autoguiders

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all...I have been taking manually guided astrophotographs for the last year, and basically, the guiding is killing me. I would really enjoy the relative convenience that a CCD autoguider could provide. I have an Orion SVP-8" EQ reflector, and I use an Olympus OM-1 camera. I will be mounting an 80mm guidescope on the OTA, and I will be mounting a dual-axis drive on the SVP mount. Can anyone give me some opinions on autoguider systems that I should look into? I've read some about the Meade Pictor 201XT, but I saw a few really bad reviews about it, so I am a bit leary of it. I have heard good things about the SBIG ST-4, but I see that it's discontinued. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Michael

May 28, 2003 10:53 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Backyard Pier for Orion SVP 8 EQ

Posted By Michael Roark
Hi all! I have a question about the installation of a 12" diameter concrete pier in my backyard to mount the top portion of my Orion SkyView Pro 8" EQ to during astrophotography. Does anyone have any experience in doing something like this? I could fabricate the correct threaded bolt through a metal plate atop the pier to connect the mount to, but I was wondering if anybody has done something like this. It seems to me that a concrete pier placed 5 feet in the ground would provide a pretty stable platform for astrophotography. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Mike

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