TheSkySearchers

I found an adapter that allows me to connect a Canon lens to my ASI294MC. So after a bit of messing about drilling out a 1/4" threaded hole in the bracket to mount it on the dovetail bar, I got everything connected last night. After slewing to the target and getting a good focus (after lots of image, adjust, image, adjust, etc) there was a power cut! One of the draw backs of living in the sticks! Anyway, the power was only off for a few minutes. After another quick align, another slew to target, another focus routine and another plate solve, there was another power cut! One more try. The power stayed on this time so I grabbed 20 x 120 seconds at 180 gain. 10 darks, 30 flats. Then accidently nudged the lens focus so skipped the flat darks. This will have to do until Sagittarius rises in a couple of months. Looking forward to giving a Milky Way shot a go.

Processed in Gimp. Background removal in Affinity. I left some light pollution dome gradient for realism and to not loose any more detail. I was hoping for some hints of faint fuzzies but there's not enough data!

Anyone want to play guess the constellation? (Not too tricky!)




Regards

Graeme

leo ?

Yup, Leo alright, but I would expect to see stars to 10+ mag? What lens, f stop etc.. I have used camera lenses with the 294 predecessor my 1600MC and get really deep in half the time.

Sagittarius pic follows, 30 minutes in 2 min subs with 28mm at f4.
Just wondering,
Steve

messier 111 wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 9:14 pmleo ?

I would have gone with MIng the Merciless... :wink:

I really like wide angle / constellation shots. Always interested in reading about using vanilla camera lenses with ZWO's, etc.

Interesting which gadget did you go for, I have seen a a few online and as a canon user I’m interested

messier 111 wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 9:14 pmleo ?

Correct!

sdbodin wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 10:17 pm I would expect to see stars to 10+ mag? What lens, f stop etc..

Yeah, it was a bit disappointing! But it was a maiden voyage, so I'm hoping for some tips! It was the Canon 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 at about 20mm. The thing is with the f stop is I know how to set it when the lens in on the camera but detached there is no setting adjustment! Perhaps a different lens that opens up full aperture is the way forward.

Your Milky Way image is really good! And only 30 minutes!

pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 3:21 pm I really like wide angle / constellation shots.

With a bit of luck maybe I'll produce a good one!

Greenman wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 5:09 pm Interesting which gadget did you go for, I have seen a a few online and as a canon user I’m interested

One of these:
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-ac ... meras.html

And one of these:
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-ac ... eters.html

I look forward to seeing your images!

Regards

Graeme

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 7:43 pm

messier 111 wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 9:14 pmleo ?

Correct!

sdbodin wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 10:17 pm I would expect to see stars to 10+ mag? What lens, f stop etc..

Yeah, it was a bit disappointing! But it was a maiden voyage, so I'm hoping for some tips! It was the Canon 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 at about 20mm. The thing is with the f stop is I know how to set it when the lens in on the camera but detached there is no setting adjustment! Perhaps a different lens that opens up full aperture is the way forward.

Your Milky Way image is really good! And only 30 minutes!

pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 3:21 pm I really like wide angle / constellation shots.

With a bit of luck maybe I'll produce a good one!

Greenman wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 5:09 pm Interesting which gadget did you go for, I have seen a a few online and as a canon user I’m interested

One of these:
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-ac ... meras.html

And one of these:
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-ac ... eters.html

I look forward to seeing your images!

Regards

Graeme

OK, sounds like it was at f16 or something, I guess you will figure out how to manually set the lens. The lenses I am using are ancient T-mount, so they just screw into the camera threads, with appropriate extension tubes for 55mm. I usually run them wide open or one stop down. I would expect you to get even better shots than me, the 294 is superior to the 1600MC and modern lenses are better than the stone age stuff I got.

I have that zwo holder and it work fine. All this series of cameras have the same form factor. I attach it to a three axis camera holder so I can point in any direction to shoot, even 'over the shoulder'. So I can shoot a milky way in the opposite direction from where I am using the main scope to image a distant target.

Good luck, this kind of shooting is fun too,
Steve

sdbodin wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 10:48 pm OK, sounds like it was at f16 or something, I guess you will figure out how to manually set the lens. The lenses I am using are ancient T-mount, so they just screw into the camera threads, with appropriate extension tubes for 55mm. I usually run them wide open or one stop down. I would expect you to get even better shots than me, the 294 is superior to the 1600MC and modern lenses are better than the stone age stuff I got.

I have that zwo holder and it work fine. All this series of cameras have the same form factor. I attach it to a three axis camera holder so I can point in any direction to shoot, even 'over the shoulder'. So I can shoot a milky way in the opposite direction from where I am using the main scope to image a distant target.

Good luck, this kind of shooting is fun too,
Steve

That would be my guess. I need to play some more! If I look through the lens with it off the camera and move the zoom setting then the aperture opens widest at 55mm, so I'll try that. And it might be a good idea to put it back on the DSLR and see how it works. The two have not been together for a long time!

A better means of attaching it to the mount would be good too. I used the 1/4" threaded hole in the dove plate under the 9.25. Balancing was tricky because it prevented the OTA from moving back on the mount. I had to hang some roofing lead off the other end of the OTA!

Regards

Graeme

@Graeme1858 I will need to get a EF to EFS Adapter as well, this is a s longer term goal currently. I’m concentrating on getting improvements to my imaging on the refractor, and then working the SE6 into the ASIAIR setup as short and medium goals currently.

I need to ease off on the AP spend for a while too

Well I put the lens back on the camera and opened the aperture to 3.5 electronically through the viewfinder, turned the camera off and removed the lens. It clearly has a wider aperture now. Looking for another clear night.

Regards

Graeme

Good, you found the trick. You will be pleasantly surprised at what it will do, I think.

Good luck,
Steve

Not sure if this is the same thing or not, but here goes.

I also got an adapter (ZWO) to mate my ASI294MC Pro to Nikon lenses. For most lens examples, the F stop could not be set and defaults to max (like F22). For most of my Nikon lenses, there is a small lever that controls F stop. On a camera, it connects to a camera part for that control. With the adaptor there is no such connection.

I got a small strong thread and looped it around the lever. I then held this against the len as I attached the adaptor, pulling the lever to max. Then with the lens the F stop is all open and works better for photos. This might work for your Canon example, but I don't know Canon products at all.

Thanks Ed

My Canon lens doesn't have a preview lever. But I hopefully got over the problem by opening the aperture electronically on the camera body. I'm hoping to find out first clear night we get!

Regards

Graeme