Posts Made By: Eric Todd

Hi Paul,

Mars is always a tough one to give a definite color opinion for since it changes often. I would say that if the atmosphere cooperates, I like the B image best. However, more often than not, A will be the result due to the atmosphere, but it too has a pleasing appearance.

Eric

You have a winner there, Wes! Now that's the way I remember some of your '03 images!

Eric

Thanks to all. I still have better sets I have hardly had time to touch and I just worked on this one at random. Hopefully, will post an additional image or two soon. Currently, I am experiencing vignetting with the Televue even at just F30. When I increase length between barlow and Toucam to F40 or 50, vignetting and field curvature become severe so I am considering changing amplification systems for these higher F ratios. Suggestions, either here or privately, would be greatly appreciated. The vignetting/ edge coma is even worse with the Lum camera, so not using it at the current time. I am guessing that the Televue 3x is the cause, especially when greater lengths are added to it.

Tom: Thanks for the suggestion. A contrast boost had been added originally and this may have washed out the highlights on the right side. I can see that.

Best,
Eric

Excellent result, Jim. Seeing has been great here too, but no time to image lately so I've had to pass
Just further proof of how important the seeing conditions must be for a decent result.

Eric

Nice work, Alan. Great definition and color detail.

Eric

Hi Mike,

I have recently begun investigating the answer to this question myself. For one thing, I find that the standard 1.25" Televue 3x barlow shows vignetting even when used at its design length. Normally, the vignetting is not too prohibitive unless extending to 4x for Lumenera or other use and then the vignetting becomes severe. I am currently investigating other options and I suspect better performance from the 2" sizes since the light cone should be larger. The key with the barlows seems to be using them only at their designed length. Any deviation appears to cause problems. Good luck.

Eric

Thanks to all. I dedicate this image to my former neighbor, Chuck, who died of a massive heart attack yesterday. He was 52. I used to share prints with him quite often after successful imaging sessions. He will be missed.

I have others from the session that I have not had time to work on yet. Will post final versions either here or on my website in a few days, hopefully. Some imaging was done at F60+ and they too appear to be coming out well. Will share as time permits.

Thanks again,
Eric

Had some time to finish up the final version, this was acquired at *I believe* 0920 UT at close to F60. Mars was nearly overhead at that time and seeing was just a bit better. Thanks again to all for comment. I know many of you have posted lately and I will try to review those shortly. Yes, Tom, monochrome Toucam with SBIG filters. Does surprisingly well, but just about any webcam will now with Mars as bright as it has become.

Best,
Eric

Hi Mark,

Have had the same thing happen when using the program. Try using Virtual Dub. It will create a new index that should allow the AVI to be saved normally once again.

Best,
Eric

Very nice, Ed!

Eric