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VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: Jeff Hapeman

April 22, 2005 02:53 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Greater Prairie Chickens: Displaying Male #1

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
There were a lot of "chicken fights" between males. It was a riot to watch. Here are two guys getting ready to duke it out.

Jeff

April 22, 2005 02:58 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Greater Prairie Chickens: Displaying Male #1

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Time to mix it up--who is "top cock?" Can I use that word on a family forum 8O ?

Jeff

April 22, 2005 03:01 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Greater Prairie Chickens: Displaying Male #1

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
A male leaves the lek after--for him--an unsuccessful morning.
He'll try again tomorrow....

Jeff

April 25, 2005 02:01 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Where are your DSO's taken

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Paul Maxson said:

Hi all,

I'm just curious where, in general, do you shoot your DSO's from? Planets can be shot from most anywhere, but in the old days (LOL!!) we had to go to very dark skies. Are these wonderful shots being taken from your backyards or do you go out away from cities to do this? I can see 4.5 mag stars in my backyard most of the time, so I'm curious if good DSO images are feasible from there?

Thanks and keep those beautiful images coming!
Paul Maxson

If you can see 4.5, you can shoot DSO's, but it will take more work to remove gradients and longer exposure times. Filters won't do it--unless you are shooting narrow-band images, like Ha, etc. I used to shoot at mag 3.5 all the time and got some workable images.

I now shoot from my house where I have about mag 5 or 5.5 depending on the weather, and the results are great--and it's convenient.

Jeff

April 25, 2005 02:02 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Galaxy NGC 2841

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
You are getting some great images with that camera...a testament to superb technique!

Jeff

April 25, 2005 06:03 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Shooting photo's using a Pentax K-1000?

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Robert Klipstein said:

I am really new to photographing birds, so I wondered if anyone was still using 35mm film camera's, or has everyone gone to digital? I have access to a Pentax K-1000 to use with my Vixen 60mm f/5 and could use some pointers as to how to set it up correctly. Thanks in advance for any help.

Bob

Most people have gone digital these days--it is cheaper for wildlife photography (where you throw away a lot of shots)--and easier in many ways: you get instant feedback on focus (shake can blur without you knowing it); you can change ISO as needed on a shot-by-shot basis, etc. etc. That said, you can use the K-1000 with that scope by getting a T-adapter.

That's got to be a bigger than 60mm scope, or are you listing aperture and not focal length?

Jeff

May 2, 2005 12:08 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

wide field Milky Way

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Greg Bradley said:

Set up my Nikon 180mm ED lens tonight on the MI 250 to get some decent tracking.

5 x 30 seconds, Nikon D70. F2.8.

Milky Way Carina region. Backyard observatory Sydney.

Greg.

Greg,

Are you shooting these in RAW? You can get a whole ton more info from a RAW file, including greater dynamic range, and better ability to tweak color.

These are great images you are posting, but they could be even better....they could be simply outstanding!

Jeff

May 2, 2005 12:14 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Trio in Leo

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Eric,

Very nice...looks like the processing somehow softened things up, but you have some great data here.

I just tried out Russ Croman's Gradient Exterminator for Photoshop...it's remarkable! Saves hours of work. I suggest you try it out. You can download a trial at http://www.rc-astro.com.

Jeff

May 2, 2005 12:23 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First light STL-11000M - M44

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Jose,

Wonderful start! You are right, that camera takes everything to a new level. You will need tons of HD space, RAM, processor power....I have had one for a little over a year, and love it. MaxImDL 3.x couldn't really handle the huge images without puking. The new version does well.

You will love it with the FSQ--it's a marriage made in heaven.

Jeff

May 2, 2005 02:52 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Ivory Billed Woodpecker - no photo

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Brett Wylie said:

grin No photo, but what great news! I've been wishing this to happen for at least 40 years. grin

My wife sent me an email to my cell phone while I was in a meeting about this...I think I audibly gasped...just unbelievable! I hope it will hang on, and this isn't just the last remnants.

Now I am waiting to hear of someone finding a Bachmann's Warbler 8O .

Jeff

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