Prime Focus Photography - 1st Attempt

Hi all, I finally got around to getting a t-adapter and t-ring for my canon 300D camera, now that I've decided to get into deepsky astrophotography

This is my first attempt at it, so what better place to start than the moon!, I was out early this morning, and had a go at a 60% bright moon, shooting through my C8, no masterpiece, but this is definitely not as good as the view through a refractor telescope! I learned that the corrector plate on my C8 had to be cleaned as it was a bit dewy, but it's not bad to start off!

I had a go at M42 last night, they were horrendous wind was at 40mph, what did i expect??? :oops:

Focus is ropey too! but i've learned a tip of using a magnifying glass when looking through the viewfinder of the camera. A long way to go :arrow:

1/10second at IS0 100........

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Keith..

Considering the conditions you were in i think its a nice image keith! It wont be long before you master this area of astrophotography like you have done with the others!

Good going Keith! Just to clarify, at such an exposure time (one tenth of a second), is the blurry nature due to movement in the camera and/or scope, or as you said, the dew on the faceplate?

Seanie.

Nice image Keith - focus is a tad off but its a great start. Keep at it and keep them coming!

Cheers
Dave

is the blurry nature due to movement in the camera and/or scope, or as you said, the dew on the faceplate?

It's the dew, no dew heater, so it does affect the image.

Dave, I tried to focus as best I could looking through the viewfinder, but it was the best I could get - this time. At least it's a start.....

Keith..

You can use a hairdrier (on its lowest setting) to get rid of dew. Though I suspect I'd be hauled over the coals for suggesting this

I use one (it has a cold setting) when I have no alternative. I usually give the C8 corrector plate a blast of warm followed by a good lashing of cold.

Of course, you need to be careful - you don't want to crack anything.

I find that it affects focus for a minute or so - so don't refocus - just let it reach ambient temperature again - usually a minute or two.

Looks like we're both in the market for a dewheater

Keep at the focus - it took me weeks/months to hone my focusing skills

Cheers

Dave