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rg55
member
Reged: 08/02/08
Posts: 94
Loc: western US
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After observing Mars for over 40 years, I will finally be trying to image it this season. I will be using both modified webcams and my XSi in movie mode, and only plan to use my C8 or C80ED.
What filters, capture settings, software processing, etc. have you found to be especially helpful in imaging Mars? You are the experts!
Thanks,
Richard
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C8 on AS-CG5 mount
Orion 127 mak
C80ED
Canon XSi
Sony HD videocam
Celestron Neximage
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Lunatiki
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/07/05
Posts: 1844
Loc: Amarillo, TX
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Is your camera a color camera or monochrome?
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Mars Watch
All images taken with:
Celestron CPC 1100
DBK 21AF04.AS
K3ccd/Registax4/PSP8/Maxim DL IP
ALPO Member #4287
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rg55
member
Reged: 08/02/08
Posts: 94
Loc: western US
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Lunatiki,
I have a Neximage, a SPC900 and a XSi. No filters or wheels. How far can I get with what I have?
Thanks for reading!
Richard
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C8 on AS-CG5 mount
Orion 127 mak
C80ED
Canon XSi
Sony HD videocam
Celestron Neximage
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RedIrocZ-28
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/18/05
Posts: 1178
Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan
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rg55, I only have experience using the Philips ToUcam840k which is the predecessor of the SPC900. It will yield great results, some great images have been created using this webcam. You'll want to download Registax if you don't already have it. I just DL'd Registax v5 and its great. Very intuitive if you are already familiar with an earlier version. You'll need a capture program like AMCAP or k3CCD if you don't already have one.
Some might tell you to go so far as getting Maxim DL, but thats probably more advanced than someone just beginning would need or want to use.
Make sure that the histogram is at or above 200 during capture with k3ccd/amcap/etc. so as not to underexpose the image. Remember that data that is not there cannot be brought out during processing whether the image is underexposed or overexposed. You need to be in the middle ground where what you see on the screen as you capture is not too dim, but not too bright either. Its all about your shutter speed and gain settings. I've never used a C8 so I can't say what your capture settings should be, but trial and error is the best way to master imaging.
Hope this helps a bit. 
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rg55
member
Reged: 08/02/08
Posts: 94
Loc: western US
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Hey Red,
I have Registax 5 and AMCAP and would love to plug in the SPC900. I have a 2.5X TeleVue barlow, would that be about right for the highest magnification?
I have a huge problem with finding the tiny disk on the chip, though. I happen to have a flip mirror somewhere, but not sure whether it would make things easier or not, since I've never quite figured out how to use it for imaging.
Thanks for the advice on the histogram. I've never been clear on what these various settings actually are, just experimented by trial and error mostly. Nice to get suggestions!
Richard
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C8 on AS-CG5 mount
Orion 127 mak
C80ED
Canon XSi
Sony HD videocam
Celestron Neximage
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2098
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
I happen to have a flip mirror somewhere, but not sure whether it would make things easier or not, since I've never quite figured out how to use it for imaging.
Set up your rig, put the flip mirror where the camera would go, stick the camera in the "straight through" port & an eyepiece in the "90 degree" port. Centre the target in the eyepiece, flip the mirror & bingo, the target is in the middle of the chip. Probably out of focus though, parfocalising rings are a help.
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