Posts Made By: Kwang Lee

Looks like Canon is releasing a version of the 20D without
the IR-filter, the 20Da. Perhaps more importantly, it'll have a mirror that will transmit the image to LCD so you can focus into the IR part of the spectrum.

Here's the link:
http://www.canon-sales.co.jp/camera/eosd/20da/index.html

If it's not too much more than a standard 20D, I think I know what my next DSLR purchase will be.

Does anyone make a viewing seat/chair that places the viewer
at 8-10 feet? Or has anyone made such a 'high chair'?

I'm contemplating a longer focus 16-18" dob. Though I don't
mind using a ladder, I would like to be able to sit
for 5-10 minutes at a time to enjoy the views. In theory,
I don't mind coming down and moving such a chair if I can
comfortably sit for awhile.

This question might belong in the Dobsonians board, but maybe
someone might have a lead here...

It's been almost two years since Larry Stange started his flocking material investigation here. I thought it might be useful to provide a link to one of the last threads discussing the results.

http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=167917

I actually came across some "black fidelio" and it seemed a lot more reflective than I expected in normal light.

Has anyone been able to reach Mark Cowan recently? I feel like I'm emailing to the void.

Mark, are you still alive?

Hope so.

Kwang

nice pic.

what ccd cam? what post processing was done?

lookin forward to more

Hi Matthew

By "stop down" I mean setting the F/stop
a few notches lower than your 'fastest' setting.
My 50mm gives me f/stop ranges from 2 to 32.
I should've picked F/5.6 for a 10 min shot. By
stopping down, my 10 min image wouldn't have been
so 'washed out' by all those 'Milky' stars.
I'm trying to be more methodical so I'd also
recommend taking field notes with a notebook and pen.

Look forward to hearing how your first widefield shots
turn out.

Great Start! Looking forward to more.

Do you have a website on which you'll be posting future pics?

Wow, what a great scope. I'm heading up Friday afternoon.

What would you rate the seeing conditions? Mag 6? 6.5? Better?

Kwang

ps How's the food?

Hi Merlin,
I'm sure you'll get lots of responses. I just bought
a Starlight Xpress MX716, and I'm really enjoying it.
It's my first dedicated astro CCD cam, and though
the learning curve is steep, every time I pull down
an image, I'm happy as a clam.

If you are close to an Astro shop, you might pick up
Ron Wodaski's _The CCD Astronomy_ It's geared for those
who have AT LEAST $2000 to spend on imaging equipment.
I have a feeling it'll be outdated in about a year, but
there's some awesome info in it. Also, Ron has a CCD
calculator online:

http://www.multimediamadness.net/wodaski/pick_a_camera.htm

I didn't make a final purchase until I used his
CCD calculator. I realized that with my imaging ota-6" f/5
SN-the MX716 would be the least expensive option for
the kinds of objects I wanted to image. The nice thing
about the SBIG 7's (and up) is that the guide chip is
separate from the imaging chip. Whereas the Starlight
Expresses use an 'interlining' method using the same
chip for imaging and guiding, thus possibly increasing
exposure times.

I almost bought a SBIG 5C used. But after looking at
the resolution and image fov on Ron's calculator, I
decided against it.

Have fun shopping!

K

wonderful color!

What mount and tracking are you using???