WELCOME This site is for anyone interested in Olympus and OM System system cameras. First time visit? Check out our FAQ. You need to REGISTER before you can post. After registration and two posts, forum ads will disappear.
* Registered members don't see ads on the forum after two posts - sign up for free *
** We are aware that image uploading is currently not working properly and we're working on it. We're very sorry for the inconvenience and hope we can return to normal ASAP. **
The "blob" to the right of Andromeda is another galaxy. Messier 110,
or M110, also known as NGC 205, is a dwarf elliptical galaxy that is a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy in the Local Group.
Distance: 2,690 ± 90 kly (825 ± 28 kpc)
Its a long way away right now but Andromeda is heading our way and is forecast to collide with our galaxy in the future.
I sold all my Skywatcher gear and scope and decided to go back to basics, having not used the kit for over 2 years!
So I got the new Benro Polaris mount which I am slowly learning to use. No Polar Alignment is needed (Saves my knees and back!). It has an inbuilt rechargeable lithium battery and uses your mobile phone for control and initial alignment through the dedicated app.
So far I have learned that tracking does benefit from your tripod being level (you can do that in daylight)
But the GoTo and ongoing tracking are impressive. I am building up the exposure times as I gain confidence, next target will probably be the Rosette Nebula where I think I will need longer exposure times so good tracking becomes critical. The mount really is making it possible to take shots that I would otherwise have to use guiding and all that entails.
Superb - it needs more patience than I have, but I do appreciate looking at these... MORE please
4/3 Kit E510, E30 + 35macro, 11-22, 14-45 (x2), 14-54, 40-150 (both types), 70-300,
m 4/3 EM1MkII + 60 macro, 12-100 Pro, 100-400
FL20, FL36 x2 , FL50, cactus slaves etc.
The Boss (Mrs Shenstone) E620, EM10-II, 14-41Ez, 40-150R, 9 cap and whatever she can nick from me when she wants it
I’m tempted to get a tracker myself at some point. Is this Benro tracker much better than the Sky Watcher Adventurer trackers for this length of exposure? It sounds like I’d have to do yoga classes or something to do the polar alignment with the conventional trackers, even my simple Celestron C5 SCT scope involves contortions to use the finder scope at times.
I am slowly getting the hang of the Polaris given a chance between clouds.
I began my astrophotography hobby with a Skywatcher Adventurer back in 2015/16. The need to do polar alignment using the polar scope meant the first 10 or more minutes involved kneeling down in an uncomfortable position to look through the polar scope. The version I had had no goto function and so finding the target was really difficult especially very feint deep sky objects. It involved taking lots of test images at max ISO and then manually adjusting the targeting and trying again. So the targeting part is no different to being on a fixed mount.
After a couple of years, I decided to take the big step and go for a GoTo mount. Initially, this had the polar scope set-up challenge so back on my knees again. But once aligned using a 2 star alignment process you simply connect your laptop and tell it to go to your chosen target. It wasn't perfect but the target was visible. The polar alignment problem was fixed when I got a guide camera. This was life-changing. Using software you can achieve polar alignment in literally 2 mins. In addition, it enables guiding and then you are in a whole new world. Exposures of 3, 5 or even 8 minutes become possible.
But, the sheer weight and the need to set up and take down meant it got used less and less over the years.
So after 2 years of no use I sold the whole lot. I decided to go back to basics.
The Polaris mount uses you phone to do polar alignment .
The Polaris mount is a goto mount and again uses their app to identify the target.
The Polaris mount has inbuilt Lithium batteries that last hours.
The Polaris does recognise the OM-1 but it cant use the starry night focusing but that is no big deal.
I went out again last night and was trying to get Betelgeuse in the frame using my 300mm but for some reason it kept missing it. I need to learn how to improve this.
Its all work in progress but at least I am out there again.
at present only the following Olympus cameras are compartible, but i'd imagine a future firmware upgrade will include latest OM-1, and you can as you have use it with the OM-1 at present.
Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
Olympus E-M1 MII
Olympus E-M5 Mark II
Like yourself i struggle with (besides the UK weather) polar alignment, i may look into a used Benro in the future.
Amazing captures! Did you see the Moon with Jupiter and Venus last night?
Yes, I saw the Moon and planets, it was very clear. Never thought to take a pic though as I was trying to home in on The Rosetta Nebula which is my next target, But failed miserably. I said it partially supports there OM-1 but you cant do some of the sequence stuff or autofocus but that's not an issue as I just let the camera do that.
Certainly looking good Dave. So far I've struggled to get my head round using my Star Adventurer, that plus it being pretty cold to learn how to use it outside in anger. Had it over a year now so I suspect if I don't sort it soon it will go the way of your old gear.
I went out last night too briefly to do the star count but orion was never really cloud free so it was a bit of a failure really. They have extended the deadline to Sunday now to get more data so if anyone reading is interested here's a link.
Most used: EM5i + 12-200mm, In briefcase: E-PM2 + 12-42mmEZ
Film Kit OM4Ti + Vivitar Series 1 (OM fit ) 28-105mm F/2.8-3.8, Sigma III (OM fit) 75-200mm F/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 (OM fit) 100-500mm, Zuiko 50mm F/1.2
Learn something new every day
Certainly looking good Dave. So far I've struggled to get my head round using my Star Adventurer, that plus it being pretty cold to learn how to use it outside in anger. Had it over a year now so I suspect if I don't sort it soon it will go the way of your old gear.position - easily done in the dark!
I went out last night too briefly to do the star count but orion was never really cloud free so it was a bit of a failure really. They have extended the deadline to Sunday now to get more data so if anyone reading is interested here's a link.
Star Count 2023 takes place between 17-24 February. Take part in our citizen science stargazing project and help us tackle light pollution.
My advice is to learn how to use it indoors, in the warm. You need to be confident on using the buttons and setting up the camera before you get frozen! Also do take a small torch outside to help find things. Also,check in advance where the Pole Star should be on the graticule for your time and place _ there are apps for that.
Make sure you know you have a clear view of the Pole Star from your chosen location. The tricky bit is getting it in the right spot in the finder. After that.set the motor running so that tracking is underway and fit and set your camera on the selected target. Also be careful not to knock the tripod out of position - easily done in the dark! On subsequent occasions, for moderate exposure times, you can leave the elevation at its original setting and set the azimuth by compass, so long as your tripod is at the same location..
We process personal data about users of our site, through the use of web browser cookies and other technologies, to deliver our services, and to analyse site activity. No banner advertising is shown to members logged in to the site. For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
By clicking "I AGREE" below, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our personal data processing and cookie practices as described therein. You also acknowledge that this forum may be hosted outside your country and you consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your data in the country where this forum is hosted.
Tweet
Comment