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Eastern Veil Nebula

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Posts Made By: Simon Chung

October 29, 2004 05:47 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Eclipse montage

Posted By Simon Chung
Taken from my front yard in Vancouver, Canada.

A montage of 6 individual exposures through a Borg 76ED APO @ f20 using a Nikon FE SLR camera and Kodak E100VS film, atop a GP-DX mount. Unguided 8 to 30 second exposures. Scanned, cropped, and brightness adjusted.

I was hoping my focus would be spot on but, alas, it was off just a little.

Simon


May 24, 2004 08:06 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Need opinion: Chinese Mak optics

Posted By Simon Chung
William,

I have an Apex 90 that is optically superb. It is not the best in terms of baffling; however, I have not experienced the internal reflections you mentioned about on Jupiter. I would first check that it is not from your eyepieces. Do the reflections still occur with different eyepieces?

Simon

June 21, 2004 10:00 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Suggestions? $1000-$1500 ish

Posted By Simon Chung
Dan,

My vote is for a small refractor attached to a Kenko motorized Alt-Az mount. Borg sells a number of small refractors and the said mount in a variety of combinations. Their 4" Achro refractor is recommended - it provides very good images, is easily disassembled, and the price is very reasonable. They also have a plethora of photographic adaptors for your digicam. Check it out at www.hutech.com.

Simon

July 19, 2004 10:10 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Bigger reflector VS smaller MAK - Planetary Views

Posted By Simon Chung
Ron,

I used to own a 7" F/10 Intes-Micro Mak-Cass. I now own a 10" f4.8 dob in its place as my main planetary instrument.

The short story is that the 10" dob completely beat the 7" Mak on planetary targets, especially Saturn. At over twice the brightness, it is the most significant factor, in my experience. Contrast is better but not as much improvement as the brightness. Subtle hues are so much more noticeable in the dob than the MC. Quality, aperture rules.

I don't want to start a flame war, but I really expected more out of my Mak, judging from the generally positive reviews they garner. I don't have the Mak anymore.

Simon

October 15, 2004 02:17 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

affordable low profile 2" focuser

Posted By Simon Chung
Andre,

Check out Gary Wolanski's low-profile, helical focuser. I have one and it's pretty good.

http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/gwolanski/GARASTRO.HTM

Prices are reasonable.

Simon

October 18, 2004 06:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Good wide field refractor for astrophotography.

Posted By Simon Chung
I second the recommendation on the Borg 76ED. I have one which I use for wide-field astrophotography. It's about 800 US and delivers very good photographic results, even without a 0.85x reducer. With the reducer, you get pin-point stars across the entire 35mm frame. Not to mention, the plethora of astrophotographic accessories and the capability to upgrade to larger apertures. The whole scope is very light weight, disassembles easily for transport. You can also get the new *F4* super-reducer later on, if you want an even wider FOV, made specifically for CCD cameras. It costs more than the 80ED (around $800 US) but the difference, IMO, is absolutely worth it.

BTW, the 76ED has now been obsoleted with the introduction of the 77ED (better visual and photography performance, apparently).

good luck,
Simon

October 24, 2004 09:30 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Pelican case - foam or divider?

Posted By Simon Chung
Howard,
I use the pre-cut foam with great success. I have two 1500 cases, which I use to store my 8 1.25" and 2" eyepieces, diagonal and 3" refractor. The pre-cut foam allows me to maximum the space inside, IMO. You can also glue back the punched-out foam pieces to form new shapes, allowing you to adapt the case as you change your accessories.

cheers,
Simon

November 15, 2004 05:07 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Vixen GP-DX vs new Celestron CG-5?

Posted By Simon Chung
Alan,

Trust me, keep your GP-DX. I have the same config. as you do and am very impressed with its imaging capabilities. Your C9.25 should have no problems at all on the GP-DX. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for".

Simon

November 20, 2004 01:18 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Borg 76 ED vs. Megrez 80 II ED

Posted By Simon Chung
Better scope for what task? Visual? Photography? 'Need to know more criteria.

S.

November 20, 2004 10:01 PM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

E200 Horsehead + Flame Nebula

Posted By Simon Chung
Raymond,

A very, very nice picture you have taken! I have almost the same equipment you have except a different mount. I shall remember the exposure time, so I have a reference next time I take a picture of that region. Have you considered using an IDAS LPS filter?

I do notice that the stars near the edge show elongation. The 0.85x reducer shouldn't be doing this (at least, I don't see this with mine).

Great picture!

Simon

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