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VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: Walter Hamler

February 4, 2003 01:54 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Photoshop Elements??

Posted By Walter Hamler
I just bought v2.0 and I don't believe it will do what some of the astro dedicated programs do, or at least not as easily. It's ok for contrast and color control and sharpening/unsharp masking, but I don't know how readily it will handle layers and stacking. I'm relatively new to some of this digital stuff, however, so others with more knowledge need to jump in here too.

Walt

February 4, 2003 01:21 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

M81-M82 from GA

Posted By Walter Hamler
What part of "Jaw-Jah"?
What scope, exposure, etc?
Very nice!!

Walt

February 5, 2003 02:25 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Shameless plug for Astrozap flexible dew shield

Posted By Walter Hamler
Next time let the dog have a look through the scope, or maybe let it lick off the dew on the corrector, and you will be treated with more respect!!
Was a nice touch on the part of the vendor though.

Walt

February 5, 2003 07:00 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Plans for a nice slide focuser?

Posted By Walter Hamler
If you go to Home Depot or Lowes plumbing dept, they have pvc fittings that can be adapted in all sorts of ways. There is a standard chromed brass "nipple" that is flared at one end to 1.25" id and is 1.25" od on the other end. That piece in conjunction with a pvc fitting with a compression fitting typically used on sink drains will make a nice focuser.

Walt

February 5, 2003 07:12 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

A primative eye piece warming system

Posted By Walter Hamler
What are hand held warmers? I live in FL and have never seen them, but, then again, my kids are grown and I don't frequent Babies-r-us.

Walt

February 11, 2003 09:37 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Io and Ganymede lat night

Posted By Walter Hamler
OOPS! I meant Europa and Ganymede!!

Walt

February 12, 2003 09:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" Diagonal

Posted By Walter Hamler
I have the Williams Optics version for my refractor and love it. Although you probably won't need the 2" for use in the Celestron, it would probably be a good choice anyway for reasons stated in another post here in the Forums within the past few days. In short, the center part of the 2" diagonal mirror will be flatter than the entire 1.25" mirror, so the quality will be better. Win-win as far as I'm concerned. BTW, get it at Anacortes!!

Walt

February 19, 2003 06:05 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Photo Printer

Posted By Walter Hamler
I have the Epson 785 which has been superceded. The latest no frills version is the 825. It's almost 300.00 I believe, maybe a little less. They also make a cheepie version but I don't believe it uses the same photo ink cartridges.
The folks at the local camera store (large one) don't care for the Canon's, and showed me some prints they made that seem to justify their preference for the Epson.
I find the Epson I have very good for my digital stuff, but the cost of the paper and ink does add up quickly. I have learned to be judacious about what I print. If just snapshots, I make a cd and take it to Sams; they make great photo prints from digital files for .20 each and sometimes cheaper if they have a promo going.

Walt

February 21, 2003 01:52 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Telephoto lenses

Posted By Walter Hamler
I have quite a bit of experience with these type lenses. If you can find a 400mm Spiratone on the used market, other auction houses, even here on Astromart, you will be much happier. Another version was marketed by a company called Sterling Howard. They called it the "girl watcher" lens, and it was actually one of the best of the best.
Also, there were slightly shorter versions with many different names, but were around 350mm f/5.5. I have one of these and it is absolutely the sharpest telephoto I have ever used in the 300 to 500 range. I paid 10 bucks for it at a used camera shop! If you shoot color stop them down 1/2 to one stop. With B&W wide open with a yellow filter will give pinpoint star images, but be careful on your focus. Most of these lenses will travel beyond the infinity mark slightly. I have to back mine off about 1/16 inch for best results.
Hope this helps, and good hunting!

Walt

February 23, 2003 05:25 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Perkin Elmer T5 Telephoto Lens

Posted By Walter Hamler
We can't tell you Tom, or we would have to, er, well you know....
Seriously, I spent most of my Navy career in aerial photography, and a high percentage of the optics used were from Perkin-Elmer. As a matter of fact, some of them were highly classified in their day. I remember using a 2.5" long cat telephoto that was 1000mm effective fl, this was in the early 60's.
They made a lot of special purpose optics for "one time use" projects, so it wouldn't surprise me that your reference was in fact the only use for the lens.
However, the Air Force used some long lenses, 40" and more, for standoff photography from RB-57's and maybe even U-2's
back in the Vietnam era.
FWIW

Walt

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