Re: A few questions on imaging

Steve:
Exposure comments:
Hi! I had a chance to borrow & use the ST2000 camera maybe 8 months ago and had a VERY difficult time with Planets. Their brightness overwhelmed that camera. I called SBIG to discuss it and was told that it really is a Deep Sky camera due to its sensitivity. Even the use of filters had minimal impact. I toyed with masking the C-11's aperture, but didn't take the time. Saturn, while a little less bright (Jup: -2.4; Sat -.8), is available. Try your hand also with the Orion Nebula.
You used an exposure time of .02 SEC; the camera's limit (if I am reading the specs correctly) is .01 SEC. Set it at the lowest end, filter it, and let us know the results.
Thanks,
Ed
Ed Abel
Silver Spring, MD

Indeed Steve, seems your focusing technique is fine, but you are over-exposing your shots... faster exposures should do the trick... try 1/100, 1/50, 1/33 or 1/25 if it is still too bright. Also lowering your GAIN does help... (you don't want your GAIN to be at 100%, normally at 50-75%, maybe less if your image is bright enough)

You SHOULD see the Planet detail on your laptop/PC screen as you take these shots/movies...



Take care, and keep it up!


Ivan