Photographing Meteors

this is probably stuff I can take with me what I go to Arizona next year.

luck sod!

I hope to be in the same position - taking astrophotos. I am now part of the Canon Digital Astrophotographers club, thanks to Dee who bought me a Canon 350D as a wedding gift (she's a keeper alright - Dee, AND the camera! ).

Cool ! I've just joined the Digital Astrophotographers club myself, however, I went the Nikon route and bought a D40, although, with this weather, perhaps we should just forget about the astronomy and start a camera club...

Seriously though, does anyone here use a camera that's NOT a Canon 350D ?

P.S. thanks for the notes above, hopefully should be enough to get me started.

Seriously though, does anyone here use a camera that's NOT a Canon 350D ?

Yes

I use a 5D, but not a Canon, a Minolta Dynax 5D. It does ISO 3200, has 6 million big pixels and a filter that lets more H-alpha through than most if not all of its competitors.

Here's 30secs piggybacked on my LXD75 with a 28mm f2.8...



This was taken using Michael McC's method #2 above BTW.

My view on Frank's excellent question has caused me to have a rethink about what I'm going to do tomorrow night when it's scheduled to be clear here.

The idea being to get the best shot, not just a shot at any cost, I'm inclined to go for shorter exposures - ie 10-20 secs, not the 30-60+ I've used before. Digital gives that flexibility.

That said, my best Perseid was taken in 2004 on film with a totally mechanical camera. I have yet to better this one...



approx 30secs Minolta SRT-101 50mm f1.4 lens wide open, Fuji 200 print film. Frame 1. The other 36 contained nothing of note.

Clear skies,

Paul.

Paul,

You forgot to post this:

From IAA Website

The Irish Astronomical Association will be having a "BBQ + Perseid Party" at Delamont Country Park, on the A22, between Killyleagh and Downpatrick, on Sunday evening, 12 August, commencing at 8 p.m. We will finish the cooking & eating by about 9.30, allowing time to clear away, & set up loungers & telescopes & do some twilight observing of Jupiter before the sky gets dark enough for meteor observing.
If you intend to come you MUST be there no later than 9 p.m., as the gates will be closed for access from then on. You can get out OK at any time, as the gates open automatically on exit. We will be observing from the car park area beside the picnic tables, on your right shortly after you enter the park from the main road.
Usual IAA BBQ rules apply - Free, but bring your own food, drinks, plates, cutlery, cups, glasses, chair etc if you wish: we will provide the cooking facilities only.
For observing, bring a lounger if you have one, and plenty of warm clothes, and a RED, not a white, torch! And if you have to leave while others are still observing, drive on sidelights only until you are out of the park. Also, park your car so that you are facing in the direction in which you will leave, with the gears in neutral or forward, so that you don't have to reverse, with your bright reversing light coming on automatically.

Lets hope the Met office have got it right for once. I'll be staying at home and observing with my daughter & friends.

Can anyone come up with a believable excuse for not coming into work when its really busy? Hit by meteor maybe :lol:

Paul,

You forgot to post this:

Yes, you're right Kieran, although I shall be observing from home with friends on Sunday night - I took Monday morning off and when I gave the explanation no further questions were asked

Clear skies for all tomorrow!

Paul.

Seanie: Congrats on the camera! Welcome to the club! (Now, I must have a word with Denise...)

Thanks! What's the word with Denise for? IS there a my bride-to-be is better than yours competition about to start?