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Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: James Benton

June 21, 2004 11:30 PM Forum: Star Parties

Houston Star Parties/Dark Spots

Posted By James Benton
Ed, I think the HAS group has an observing site out in Columbus, TX. Only about 70 miles from Houston.

I have never been there. I am a member of the Ft. Bend club and frequent the George Observatory out at Brazos Bend State Park.

I also hear many go to Leaky, Tx. There are some cabins and camping there, its not a state park, but its near Lost Maples Stare Natural Area and the skies are nice out there

James

July 7, 2004 09:01 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

soliciting recommendations for a camera bag.

Posted By James Benton
I have a Lowepro - Micro Trekker 200 Camera Bag, I got it at Wolf camera (Ritz Camera) for $79.

I beleive it is the same sie as the Tamrac (SP?) that the others posted about.

It is a good size and I can carry what I need for that outing.

D60
28-200 lens
50mm lens
19-35 lens
2x Teleconverter
80-400mm lens
remote
spare battery & memory card
lens pen
plus a few other little goodies

James

July 21, 2004 10:29 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Afocal Help

Posted By James Benton
your scope should be able to handle this very well. I feel the limits are with the camera. You may want to try NOT using the digital zoom or only use the optical zoom. Some cameras have an indication on the LCD screen when you zoom into the so called "digital zoom range".

it may be a good idea to pratice on some stationary objects, like a car down the street or a light pole or a building far away. this will help you figure out camera settings and such. Yuo may need to play with the distance between the camera and the eyepiece.

does your camera have a macro mode? if so try using that and see if tha helps

James

July 24, 2004 02:26 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Sun and the public

Posted By James Benton
one experience I had when showing the sun at a public event to some people was that some people said they could not see it. I checked the eyepiece and the sun was there with a few nice sun spots. Then I asked do you see he big orange thing in there? an they said yes, and I said, well thats the sun and the little black dots are sun spots. I got the following responses: 1. Cool , 2. ok, 3. That was it, I thought it would look different. Then a member of my club said to only show half the disk to avoid any trouble and move the scope to show the full disk for the those that are really interested.


August 18, 2004 02:18 AM Forum: Star Parties

Star Parties in March/April 2005?

Posted By James Benton
Im not sure when next years even will be exactly, but it has usually been the end of april first of may. Usually about 500 to 700 people

Texas Star Party
http://www.texasstarparty.org/

James

August 18, 2004 02:24 AM Forum: Meade

LXD-75 Any updates on delivery

Posted By James Benton
Sorry I did not want to start anything bad with this thread.

I was just fishing for info.

Lets consider this common knowledge and just leave it be. Almost EVERY company out in existance today has generally declined in customer service and support, and they lack in the area of proper responses to customers questions.

now lets just talk about scopes and the sky

James

August 23, 2004 12:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

M31 first try

Posted By James Benton
it looks good for a single image.

you should try multiple exposures and take some dark frames to subtract the noise to get a cleaner back ground. Maybe 5 to 6 180 second shots, then stack them with registax or what ever image software you use for processing.

James

August 26, 2004 04:05 AM Forum: Meade

Another LXD75 AR5 arrival + drive problems

Posted By James Benton
I just got an email from Digitec Optcal and Meade will be shiping the Autostar Suite and LPI's shortly (hopefuly this week)

James

August 29, 2004 02:04 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Shoot the moon.....D70 style

Posted By James Benton
David here is a moon shot with my D60 at prime fous on my mew AR5, image details are on the web page.
http://www.james-benton.com/photography/astro/LXD75/Moon/moon1.html

James

September 10, 2004 02:38 PM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Texas Gecko

Posted By James Benton
we have noticed the increase in Houston also. but I can never get a shot of one.

James

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