Finally got to use the nexstar!

[Les R]

My camera adapter finally arrived, so had a very quick first use of the Nexstar 6SE.

The moon was the target... took a while to locate (no finder scope) but wasnt too sad. The image was too big for the viewfinder from top to bottom, but only just. The results seemedto be out of focus. (They looked fine in the eye piece - but I now think it was just down to shutter shake. I think I worked out the settings to play with for mirror lock.)

So - out it came again tonight. Another easy target - Jupiter. Bit dissapointed with the size (using 25mm), but could make out the lines and 4 main moons easy enough. So I decided to try to photgraph. Damn - its hard to remove the star diaganol and fet the adapter on the scope. Just seems a bit too easy to cross thread. (In fact the guy I bought it from I had to stop because he was definitely cross threading.) Even fitting without the camera - with was impossible. But then fitting the camera to the adapter once on the scope was ridiculously fiddley too!

Anyway... finally fitted, I couldnt get the hang or the remote triggering. Now inside, I think its a case of manually doing so on the camera to lift the mirror, then triggering remotely. Anyone able to clarify on this?

The results were pants.... I also need to work out how to set it up so it tracks.

[MarkS]

It's difficult to diagnose from your description.

Post an example failed image and we can help determine what may have gone wrong.  And what exposure length were you using?

Mark

[mickw]

Practice in the daylight - photograph a tree or chimney.

It's better to learn the controls and see how everything fits together when you can see what you are doing.

[The Thing]

Practice in the daylight - photograph a tree or chimney.

Are you trying to turn Les into an APOD aficionado already!

Remote Triggering - presumably using a Canon or clone remote controller/timer. You need to make sure you set the appropriate custom function (C.Fn.) on the camera to enable mirror lock up. You should be using the camera on B bulb setting and using the remote to set the exposure length. If you are just pushing the button then you will probably need to hold it down for the duration e.g. 30s exposure + mirror lock up time (~3s).

Focusing - I have never got focus right using the viewfinder, even using a right angle finder with 2x magnification. If you have LiveView use it zoomed in. Otherwise you can't beat connecting to a laptop to see the image although zooming in on an image using playback can be Ok but fiddly and slow. I often take 100 exposures while focusing.

[Les R]

It's difficult to diagnose from your description.

Post an example failed image and we can help determine what may have gone wrong.  And what exposure length were you using?

Mark

It wouldnt actually say too much to be fair as you will just detect movement on the images captured (consistant with earth rotation). The rest didnt even get saved. The issue I was trying to describe was more trying to work out how to use mirror lock with the remote trigger.

What Ive found since (and as Mick describes) is having a play in daylight. What Ive found is the trigger doesnt appear to work properly unless it gets primed first by pressing the "take photo" button (See my great technical terms coming in handy there!). Then once thats done, I can press the remote and it will operate as I expect. But if I use the remore trigger to open the mirror, another press does nothing and the only way to clear the lock is switch off.

[Les R]

Practice in the daylight - photograph a tree or chimney.

Are you trying to turn Les into an APOD aficionado already!

Remote Triggering - presumably using a Canon or clone remote controller/timer. You need to make sure you set the appropriate custom function (C.Fn.) on the camera to enable mirror lock up. You should be using the camera on B bulb setting and using the remote to set the exposure length. If you are just pushing the button then you will probably need to hold it down for the duration e.g. 30s exposure + mirror lock up time (~3s).

Focusing - I have never got focus right using the viewfinder, even using a right angle finder with 2x magnification. If you have LiveView use it zoomed in. Otherwise you can't beat connecting to a laptop to see the image although zooming in on an image using playback can be Ok but fiddly and slow. I often take 100 exposures while focusing.

OK, thats the first thing - I was using Tx or Pon the Canon. The CN setting is C fn 8 from memory. I appreciate its a real case of trial and error. Certainly the images taken so far or the moon and Jupiter have been massively over exposed. The moon was relatively easy to compensate for in photoshop, though its easy to see its badly focused - or more to the point suffered from mirror shake before I even new the function. Jupiter is just a larger star devoid of any serface features that were visible on the viewfinder. That said, I was just clicking away getting more and more annoyed the remote trigger was failing!

What is liveview? I could do with something to visibly see stuff on a screen. Is that to do with a webcam? I assume it must be? Can this still work with the camera attached?

[Les R]

Ah, so Live view is reference to the canon, not the nexstar. Need to read up! Wasnt even aware I could do this!


EDIT: LOL - so you meant the LCD screen? Dunno why, I was convinced you were referring to viewing on a laptop.

[The Thing]

I think you need to practice Les! As Mick says, daylight is good for trying things out. You may end up with a load of shots of trees or distant lamp posts but you will know what buttons to press on what box to get the thing lined up and shooting. Also RTFM. And there is loads on the web and this forum.

[Les R]

I think you need to practice Les! As Mick says, daylight is good for trying things out. You may end up with a load of shots of trees or distant lamp posts but you will know what buttons to press on what box to get the thing lined up and shooting. Also RTFM. And there is loads on the web and this forum.

LOL @ RTFM! 

Yeh I dont disagree.... but I hate reading them! I agree I need to have a play, but that was my first attempt with the remote and I honestly didnt think it would be a problem at all. Alignment without a finderscope is difficult too! Something else I need to sort out!

[MarkS]

Hi Les,

Generally speaking, you never want to try something for the first time at night in the dark and cold.  Wherever possible, familiarise yourself with something new during the daylight and then it will be much easier at night.   

Mark