Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> Beginning Imaging Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 JeffD super member Reged: 06/24/06 Posts: 124 Loc: Tampa, FL Focus question       #2571166 - 08/09/08 10:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   when shooting hand held shots through the eyepice, is the depth of field very narrow? a couple recent moon shots look like one part of the shot - either top of bottom - is more in focus. i am trying to narrow down what could cause this. granted its hot and muggy out, and i was shooting within a minute of taking the scope outside. (its 70's indoors - at least 85 outside. i will try to upload the examples soon for you to compare. -------------------- Celestron Nexstar 80GTL Zhumell 8" Dob Brandon, FL Post Extras:       JeffD super member Reged: 06/24/06 Posts: 124 Loc: Tampa, FL Re: Focus question [Re: JeffD]       #2571181 - 08/09/08 10:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   SHOT 1 - to me this looks like the top part is more in focus SHOT 2 - the very bottom looks to be more in focus than the rest of the shot. both shots were taken with comparable camera settings and seeing conditions. i havent ruled out my scope ficusing abilities :P but then i assume it would have a slightly different effect on the image. thoughts? -------------------- Celestron Nexstar 80GTL Zhumell 8" Dob Brandon, FL Post Extras:       jay52 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/26/04 Posts: 2280 Re: Focus question [Re: JeffD]       #2571207 - 08/09/08 10:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That's just some diffraction at the edges of the eyepiece. The problem with handholding the camera is that it's hard to keep the camera centered. Keep in mind also that eyepieces aren't always well corrected all the way to the edges, particularly with certain scopes. So, it's just part of the game. Incidently, those are still very fine images. -------------------- jay www.allaboutastro.com Post Extras:       NeoDinian Experienced Postmaster Reged: 10/05/05 Posts: 12070 Loc: Rockford Illinois Re: Focus question [Re: jay52]       #2571278 - 08/09/08 11:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Also, not just holding CENTERED on the EP, but on the same (level) plane as the EP... Rather than hand-holding, look into one of the afocal adapters that HOLD the camera at the EP for you. This way, you're alignment will be more precise. -------------------- Neo... (Jeff) -=-=-=-=-=-=- 10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco" Rockford, Il. NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky! Coming soon: Post Extras:       JeffD super member Reged: 06/24/06 Posts: 124 Loc: Tampa, FL Re: Focus question [Re: NeoDinian]       #2571314 - 08/10/08 12:01 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   thanks - i am going to look for an adapter personally - i am happy to get some decent shots. heck - i am sure if i look closer - i will see some smudges on the EPs. -------------------- Celestron Nexstar 80GTL Zhumell 8" Dob Brandon, FL Post Extras:       fradog23 super member Reged: 02/19/08 Posts: 198 Loc: mt. pleasant, SC Re: Focus question [Re: JeffD]       #2571399 - 08/10/08 01:00 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   yea, those are great shots of the moon! -------------------- Orion XT8 Orion 80mm ED Atlas EQ-G Canon XSi Messier hunter - 39/110 http://fradog23.zenfolio.com/ Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 8 registered and 11 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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