Which Filters?

OK, a busy evening.
I fitted the lens adapter to the SPC900NC, removed the horrible white light LED by destroying it with a rotary tool and tried to fit the IR filter from the Panasonic. This involved reducing the size of the IR filter using the rotary tool again - No problem there. Fitted the filter into the adapter receptacle on the camera - tight against the CCD, and reassemled the unit. NEVER squash two pieces of glass together, the result is you get any dust or debris greatly magnified in your FOV, no amount of cleaning rectified the problem satisfactorily. Looks like I'll have to buy an IR filter after all.
This prime focus lark had me baffled initially, I fitted the camera to the scope inside and tried to focus on numerous items reasonably close-by but to no avail. I thought I had mucked it up. But --YES!!-- the skys were clear. So-- I set the scope up outside and tried a focus on the moon - GOT IT. It works!!! Seeing a live broadcast of the sky on your laptop has no equal.
Even without a 2X barlow there was no way the whole of the moon would fit in the FOV. So I thought I'd give Saturn a try. Here is my first image ever. I know it's crap, but it was done mainly to prove the working principle. Also I'll get better as I try different gain, shutter, etc. settings.
Anyway this is only about 10 frames captured and stacked using K3CCDTools 3.0, my first time using that. I used Registax later for processing and that's much more friendly. The only good thing about this image is you can see the shadow of the Planet on the rings.


Also focusing with this scope is a bitch. I have to get an electronic focuser soon, especially if I want to get serious about imaging.

John - that is excellent. If that's your first image ever, well, I'm green with envy That's a lot better than *my* first image.

Don't get hung up on the electronic focuser yet - snap a few more images until you get the hang of it.

Welcome to the learning curve

Dave

Thanks for your kind comment Dave,

Focusing is my big problem at the moment, It's pretty hit and miss - you know - adjust focus, wait for the vibration to settle, adjust again, and eventually wait for that sweet spot, but you can't always tell if it's focus or just seeing. I've fitted rubber shoes on the end of the tripod legs which helps a bit - only €1.50 from Woodies - but only a bit.

I've a long way to go on the image processing front too. Mind you that was a first attemt at both capturing and image processing and as I said it was more so to prove that everything even worked. I look forward to further modifying the SPC900NC for longer exposures and getting some DS objects. No doubt I'll have to cool it - probably just a fan - I can't see a successful desoldering of the CCD for a peltier fitting, and this will also mean a change of housing, but ain't no big.

Anyone else got any advice for a tryer?