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rogercelliott
journeyman
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 9
Loc: Boulder City NV
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I am hoping to get a Nikon d40 soon and I'm wondering what I should get to control the shutter. I do have a laptop but I'm wondering what else is out there. What's also the best way to go in terms of a focuser w/o going broke on a JMI or featherlight.....
Thanks
Roger Elliott
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1418
Loc: palm bay,florida
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Welcome Roger!!!
First off the D40 is a great cam,you will be happy with it!!
I control my D40x with the ML=L3 IR remote,yes that means I have to physically stand near my gear when starting/stopping an exposure.
IF you wanted to use your laptop for image aquisition you will need several things.
1)Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB-IR1,which is a USB device that acts as an IR remote.(replaces the handheld ML-L3)
2)Software for control of the CAM,there is a list of SW on Shoestring's site HERE
Not sure what kind of focuser you need,what kind of scope its going on....?
I just ordered a MoonLight Crayford for a newt which is a GREAT focuser and starts at only $160...better than JMI(IMO).
Hope some of this helps
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!! 
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cam1936
sage
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 240
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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You can buy a remote shutter release. I don't know what the nikon ones are called as I'm a canon guy. (my P&S and binocs are nikons though)
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C8-SGT
Nikon 10x50 Action Ex
Canon 350D
Manfrotto tripod
Various EPs and accesories
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rogercelliott
journeyman
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 9
Loc: Boulder City NV
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hi,
I was thinking about the Moonlite focuser but was concerned I'd need the $100 fine focus option which is a bit beyond my budget. How does your unit focus for you? I have a 10" f/4.5 Newt.
Thanks for the input!
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1418
Loc: palm bay,florida
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Actually I havent used the scope yet...It is a 10" F/4.7,so relatively close to yours. I used to own a 10" F/4.5 Meade Starfinder Newt...it was a piece of junk EXCEPT for the mirrors,which were actually quite nice. I had the JMI NGF??? on it,and it worked like a treat. I never missed the fine focusing option. I didnt get it with my new MoonLight either,but I did go with the DCmotor option as this was only $40 more than the 2speed option...
I would go with the Moonlight single speed. I think it will work fine. I only went with the motor cause I am sick of moving the laptop towards the scope and having to reach and focus(without nudging the scope AT ALL) while looking at the screen...PITA!!!!
hope this helps!
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!!
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Jared
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/11/05
Posts: 1852
Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
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The IR release is definitely a good idea. I wouldn't bother with computer control with this camera--or any Nikon--because of the "Mode 3" limitation. If you don't know what Mode 3 is, do a quick web search to find it. Basically, Nikon applies a software blurring filter to raw images to try and reduce the effects of hot pixels. This blurring filter also has the habit of removing faint stars from the image. By using a mechanical workaround--Mode 3--you can prevent the camera from applying this filter. The downside is that you need to physically turn off the camera after each exposure, so computer control really becomes fairly pointless.
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- Jared Willson
- Fluorostar FLT-110 w/ TEC optics
- Vixen VC200L
- Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO
- Stellarvue SV80S
- Takahashi Teegul SP Mount
- STL-11000
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rogercelliott
journeyman
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 9
Loc: Boulder City NV
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Hi Jared,
So the best way to go would be to get the Nikon remote control do whatever it takes to get rid of the Mode3 and turn off the camera after each exposure. Can the camera be turned on and off from the remote?
thanks
Roger
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10" f/4.5 Newtonian
Homemade GEM
Opticraft Drives on RA and DEC
VE Digitrak drive corrector
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diggy
sage
Reged: 05/09/04
Posts: 280
Loc: Vancouver Island, Canada
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The best option for control of the D40 from a laptop is to get a copy of DSLRLite from Cercis Astro, about $30 with the appropriate cable. The software will provide both focus assist, and the ability to remotely trigger a series of lights, darks, flats and bias exposures. (BTW you will need a serial RS232 port on your laptop, or else you'll need to get a USB/Serial converter cable, too)
As far as Mode 3 is concerned, the Nikon limitation does exist, but frankly, it does not effect imaging at the level a beginner is likely to take. So you lose a few dim stars. If you're shooting planets, then it's totally irrelevant, IMHO.
I've just bought this package for my D70s and am very happy with it.
Diggy
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WO 110mm Megrez doublet on an HEQ-5 mount
Nikon 10x50 binocs
"Beyond here be there"
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1418
Loc: palm bay,florida
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I agree with Diggy,for a beginner,do NOT worry about Mode 3.
You will not notice any advantage at first.When you get more experience and want the most from you setup THEN start doing mode 3.
Honestly,me being a Nikon guy with experience in astro imaging with Nikon's,start with the Nikon to learn the ropes and then when you want to get REAL serious,move to a Canon. I know,I know,shame on me.But this is what I will be doing with my next DSLR purchase(maybe next year),probably going with an XSi. OR if I win the lottery I will get a full format astro CCD cam!!
--------------------
Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!!
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rogercelliott
journeyman
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 9
Loc: Boulder City NV
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I looked at a website that talked about how "bad" Mode 3 messed up a picture and showed some examples where you really could not see much of a difference. If Canon would produce a DSLR that I could afford on MY budget then I'd probably go with Canon..... But I can get a Nikon d40 body for $240 and a 50mm f/1.8 lens for $78. THAT'S in my budget!
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10" f/4.5 Newtonian
Homemade GEM
Opticraft Drives on RA and DEC
VE Digitrak drive corrector
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diggy
sage
Reged: 05/09/04
Posts: 280
Loc: Vancouver Island, Canada
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I guess a lot depends on your intent. If you're looking to learn AP and take pictures that please you, then Mode 3 is not relevant. At worst you drop a few very dim stars. If you want to do photometry or other research, then for sure you don't want a Nikon. I'm currently experimenting with Mode 3 with my Nikon D70 and find very little difference...I have to work really hard to find missing stars in an image!
Diggy
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WO 110mm Megrez doublet on an HEQ-5 mount
Nikon 10x50 binocs
"Beyond here be there"
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