Note: Digital Cameras – follow the camera instructions on focusing and shutter data.
1.Polar align the telescope. For more information on polar aligning see the Polar Alignment section earlier in the manual.
2.Remove all visual accessories.
3.Thread the Radial Guider onto your telescope.
4.Thread the
5.Mount your camera body onto the
6.Set the shutter speed to the "B" setting.
7.Focus the telescope on a star.
8.Center your subject in the field of your camera.
9.Find a suitable guide star in the telescope field. This can be the most time consuming process.
10.Open the shutter using a cable release.
11.Monitor your guide star for the duration of the exposure using the buttons on the hand controller to make the needed corrections.
12.Close the camera's shutter.
When getting started, use fast films to record as much detail in the shortest possible time. Here are proven recommendations:
•Ektar 1000 (color print)
•Konica 3200 (color print)
•Fujichrome 1600D (color slide)
•3M 1000 (color slide)
•Scotchchrome 400
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As you perfect your technique, try specialized films, that is films that are designed or specially treated for celestial photography. Here are some popular choices:
•Ektar 125 (color print)
•Fujichrome 100D (color slide)
•Tech Pan, gas hypered (black and white print)
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There is no exposure determination table to help you get started. The best way to determine exposure length is to look at published photos and see what film exposure combinations were used. Or take unguided sample photos of various parts of the sky while the drive is running. Always take exposures of various lengths to determine the best exposure
Planetary and Lunar Photography with Special Imagers
During the last few years a new technology has evolved which makes taking superb images of the planets and moon relatively easy and the results are truly amazing. Celestron offers the NexImage (# 93712) which is a special camera and included is software for image processing. You can capture planetary mages your first night out which rivals what professionals were doing with large telescopes just a few short years ago.
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