1392 replies to this topic

[lucutes]

I have the first version of their tripod which I originally bought for my SkyTrackerPro. It's not bad for $100 bucks but I heard the newer version is much sturdier. 

Edited by lucutes, 14 January 2019 - 02:17 PM.

[brewcrew]

Hello all. I just wanted to say thanks for all the information in this thread. I got a SGP for my birthday to go down the rabbit hole of Astrophotography. I've been reading and trying to get a grasp on things over the last month.  Great information and photos on this thread. My wife is a photographer, so I get access to all her equipment. I'll be using her canon 6D for my photos. I wanted to get a light pollution filter..any suggestions? I'd like to put it in-line rather than clip into the camera if thats possible. I will likely be getting a WO Z61 so I would like it to be compatible when it comes time. 

 

Keep on posting awesome photos and info. 

 

-Kevin

[TerryB]

For a start, I'd recommend you check out astrobackyard on Youtube (YT), and search his channel for videos on light pollution filters.  As for the SGP, check out Peter Zelinka, especially his latest on the subject: https://youtu.be/I1PGjeBCVSc

 

Terry

 

Hello all. I just wanted to say thanks for all the information in this thread. I got a SGP for my birthday to go down the rabbit hole of Astrophotography. I've been reading and trying to get a grasp on things over the last month.  Great information and photos on this thread. My wife is a photographer, so I get access to all her equipment. I'll be using her canon 6D for my photos. I wanted to get a light pollution filter..any suggestions? I'd like to put it in-line rather than clip into the camera if thats possible. I will likely be getting a WO Z61 so I would like it to be compatible when it comes time. 

 

Keep on posting awesome photos and info. 

 

-Kevin

[pkwj]

For a start, I'd recommend you check out astrobackyard on Youtube (YT), and search his channel for videos on light pollution filters.  As for the SGP, check out Peter Zelinka, especially his latest on the subject: https://youtu.be/I1PGjeBCVSc

 

Terry

 

+1 for Peter Zelinka's videos. He's got a great polar alignment video for people in the Southern Hemisphere, only place I've found that addresses this;

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=VKjGc-VjUFk

[blemasle]

+1 for Peter Zelinka's videos. He's got a great polar alignment video for people in the Southern Hemisphere, only place I've found that addresses this;
 
https://www.youtube....h?v=VKjGc-VjUFk

I personally prefer this method : https://youtu.be/9SZ8Otnr3rs
With it, I'm able to do southern hemisphere polar alignment very quickly and every single time I had Polaris Australis right in the polar scope in 30 seconds.

[pkwj]

Oh wow, that's pretty ingenious. It's definitely going to help get setup quickly - trying to hunt down Australis can be a mission.

[blemasle]

Since I found the method with the wood tiltmeter, It never takes me more than 2 minutes to find Australis.
Take care of the fact that it's made out of wood, so the mount is far enough to not disturb your compass. And you can use your phone to measure the angle accurately.

Moreover, you can setup and align the mount roughly even before Australis is visible, so you can start shooting as soon as possible because you do not have to start the alignment when it's dark.

Edited by blemasle, 19 January 2019 - 08:52 PM.

[leveye]

I have a tripod and DEC kit for sale in classifieds if anyone is interested. Must sell asap unfortunately due to family matters.

 

https://www.cloudyni...od-and-dec-kit/

[lucutes]

Hello all. I just wanted to say thanks for all the information in this thread. I got a SGP for my birthday to go down the rabbit hole of Astrophotography. I've been reading and trying to get a grasp on things over the last month.  Great information and photos on this thread. My wife is a photographer, so I get access to all her equipment. I'll be using her canon 6D for my photos. I wanted to get a light pollution filter..any suggestions? I'd like to put it in-line rather than clip into the camera if thats possible. I will likely be getting a WO Z61 so I would like it to be compatible when it comes time. 

 

Keep on posting awesome photos and info. 

 

-Kevin

As mentioned above the AstroBackyard guy has some reviews of various filters. The one that I have been using that he also reviewed was the Baader Moon and SkyGlow filter. It seems to work great for my Bortle 5-6 sky.
https://astrobackyar...trophotography/

Edited by lucutes, 22 January 2019 - 01:33 PM.

[lucutes]

Just processed this SkyGuiderPro shot from Bortle 4 sky's using the ASi071MC, Baader Moon & SkyGlow filter and Rokinon 135mm @f4. 29X90 sec. Unity gain.

 

 

 

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[pkwj]

Awesome shot!

[Ptsproet]

See slot about putting two counter weights for heavier setup. Have any of you tried a longer counterweight pole? That would give you more torque till work with and will also result in less weight in total.

 

What is the heaviest equippment you have tried that worked with this mount?

[lucutes]

6-lbs of gear. the weights are 3lbs each. 

[cjarvis64]

Has anybody tried using a imaging refractor over 4 lbs yet with the counterweight? I'm looking at using an Astro-Tech AT72ED on the SkyGuider Pro.  I'm using a nikon d3400 with field flattener. Worried that the 11 lb limit iOptron claims is a bit overzealous based on some of the discussion I've read here.  The AT72ED weighs approximately 5 lbs, the D3400 about 1 lb and some change, and the flattener maybe 0.5 lb?

[Smittty692k4]

I haven't posted on CN in probably 5 years, but I found this thread through google and I must say y'all are all awesome.  I have been wanted to get a small imaging setup going besides using a camera lens and the knowledge in here has answered many of my questions. 

 

Here is one of my best shots taken with the setup.

 

 

Saturn, Lagoon, Trifid

7 Frames, 120", ISO 1600, f/4

Nikon D810, Tamron 70-200 G2

 

 

[AstroMatt85]

Has anybody tried using a imaging refractor over 4 lbs yet with the counterweight? I'm looking at using an Astro-Tech AT72ED on the SkyGuider Pro.  I'm using a nikon d3400 with field flattener. Worried that the 11 lb limit iOptron claims is a bit overzealous based on some of the discussion I've read here.  The AT72ED weighs approximately 5 lbs, the D3400 about 1 lb and some change, and the flattener maybe 0.5 lb?

I sure hope it does, I plan on ordering the AT72EDII in a couple of weeks when taxes roll through. The pictures are few and far between but I've found a couple of them online that people have taken with this same setup. A couple days ago I ordered an extension bar for the SkyGuider Pro from William Optics as I'm sure that, or another weight, will be needed. Recently I've added up all the weight between my gear as well (Canon T7i, battery pack and Astromania red dot finder) with the AT72EDII and field flattener and that comes to almost 8 lbs which should work. Even the weight of a 30mm guide scope and the ASI120mm-mini only comes to 1.26 lbs. So, theoretically, that could be added too?? Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I'm fairly new to AP. Just because the numbers add up I don't know if it's realistic.

 

Just out of curiosity, what's the most weight or largest scope everyone has put on their SkyGuider Pro? Has anybody hit that point where it's been too much?

 

Edit: I know the weight question has been asked a number of times throughout this forum but I'm more wondering if anyone has overloaded it and what was used. Ive read in other forums people talked about putting an 80mm on it but there was never a follow up of how well it performed

Edited by AstroMatt85, 10 February 2019 - 10:20 AM.

[TerryB]

That's now three of us (at least) that will be using an AT72EDII with the SGP.  Can't wait to see your results, as mine have been indefinitely delayed due to the permanent winter cloud cover out here on the west coast.

 

Clear skies!

 

I sure hope it does, I plan on ordering the AT72EDII in a couple of weeks when taxes roll through. The pictures are few and far between but I've found a couple of them online that people have taken with this same setup. A couple days ago I ordered an extension bar for the SkyGuider Pro from William Optics as I'm sure that, or another weight, will be needed. Recently I've added up all the weight between my gear as well (Canon T7i, battery pack and Astromania red dot finder) with the AT72EDII and field flattener and that comes to almost 8 lbs which should work. Even the weight of a 30mm guide scope and the ASI120mm-mini only comes to 1.26 lbs. So, theoretically, that could be added too?? Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I'm fairly new to AP. Just because the numbers add up I don't know if it's realistic.

 

Just out of curiosity, what's the most weight or largest scope everyone has put on their SkyGuider Pro? Has anybody hit that point where it's been too much?

 

Edit: I know the weight question has been asked a number of times throughout this forum but I'm more wondering if anyone has overloaded it and what was used. Ive read in other forums people talked about putting an 80mm on it but there was never a follow up of how well it performed

[groupoid]

I just received SV70T (probably similar weight), can't test it yet because of cloudy nights, but here's a photo of balance with stock Skyguider pro (clutch is disengaged). Counterweight still has about 2cm room to extend further.

 

You need to use longer part of dec bracket on the counterweight side. Camera is Canon M50.

 

More stuff (riser bars, autoguider) may require more counterweight or extended shaft.

 

The current setup feels quite robust. Tripod is Induro GIT204. It seems quite expensive, but it was on sale for $200 when I bought it.

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Edited by groupoid, 10 February 2019 - 04:02 PM.

[pkwj]

Looking good. What’s the total weight of the setup?

[groupoid]

Looking good. What’s the total weight of the setup?

I don't have scales, but my guess is about 9kg for everything on the photo together.

 

Btw, I tried the same with Orion 50mm guide scope, and it does not balance. My other counterweight (Meade LX70, 11lb) is too heavy to balance it, even in the shortest position. It can probably balance if I switch sides on the dec bracket, but my guess is that the whole thing together will be too heavy in that case.

 

Maybe I should order an extension bar. Or maybe not use guidescope, the reduced FL is just slightly above 300mm.

Edited by groupoid, 10 February 2019 - 11:12 PM.

[Hypoxic]

_{Received my angle view finder adapter today. Nice, solid little piece of kit! Philippe got it out to me in two days.} 

 

http://www.astrokrak...der--a129918512

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Edited by Hypoxic, 16 February 2019 - 08:21 AM.

[cjarvis64]

I sure hope it does, I plan on ordering the AT72EDII in a couple of weeks when taxes roll through. The pictures are few and far between but I've found a couple of them online that people have taken with this same setup. A couple days ago I ordered an extension bar for the SkyGuider Pro from William Optics as I'm sure that, or another weight, will be needed. Recently I've added up all the weight between my gear as well (Canon T7i, battery pack and Astromania red dot finder) with the AT72EDII and field flattener and that comes to almost 8 lbs which should work. Even the weight of a 30mm guide scope and the ASI120mm-mini only comes to 1.26 lbs. So, theoretically, that could be added too?? Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I'm fairly new to AP. Just because the numbers add up I don't know if it's realistic.

 

Just out of curiosity, what's the most weight or largest scope everyone has put on their SkyGuider Pro? Has anybody hit that point where it's been too much?

 

Edit: I know the weight question has been asked a number of times throughout this forum but I'm more wondering if anyone has overloaded it and what was used. Ive read in other forums people talked about putting an 80mm on it but there was never a follow up of how well it performed

Good luck to you sir.  Let me know what happens with your setup if you think to.  I just decided not to risk it on the weight and went with the WO Z61 APO.  I do however have a Meade ETX-80 Achromat OTA arriving tomorrow, I may try that on the SGP just to see how it'll handle a slightly larger scope.  My guess is it should be fine as that OTA is cheaper and only weighs 3 or 4 lbs or so.  

 

Clear skies

Edited by cjarvis64, 19 February 2019 - 06:07 PM.

[kirkwannabee]

Has anyone tried an 80mm scope on this mount yet?  I know it has an 11 pound payload cap but my setup is 9.9 lbs.  I see a bunch of 61 and 71mm scopes.

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Edited by kirkwannabee, 21 February 2019 - 04:14 PM.

[AstroMatt85]

Hey all,

 

So I got my Astro-Tech AT72EDII in yesterday and tested it out briefly. It balanced out decent last night but I made some adjustment today which I believe will work better.

 

https://flic.kr/p/2eTLmS1

https://flic.kr/p/2eTLqzS

 

So usually I had the DEC mounting bracket so the longer part was at the bottom to help with weight. After adding the scope, guide scope, and removing the ball head, I noticed I couldn't rotate the DEC mounting block 360 degrees. The screw knobs would hit against the knob coming up off the short side of the mounting bracket. So this morning I changed that back around. Please note that an extension bar IS needed to balance it out, I imagine another CW will work just as well.

 

I was originally going to test everything out on Orion, but since I couldn't rotate the mounting block that direction I shot Pleiades. I thought that would have been a sufficient target to test for star trails so I set everything up, rebalanced, and started shooting. I thought the first couple frames came out alright so I set my intervalometer for an hour of 60 sec subs. When I came back out I realized they were not good at all. Very spotty like the mount was stuttering. Shortly after my moment of panic, I realized I didn't tighten the clutch all the way!  Whoops haha. I don't think it was balanced properly to begin with anyways so I readjusted everything and made sure the clutch was tight. Pretty impressed with the result. Hardly any trails at 60 seconds with this much weight and unguided.

 

https://flic.kr/p/24mUjZV

 

I'm going to continue unguided tests for at least a week while I make any more adjustments. Since I rotated the mounting block back to normal and while working on getting the balance even better, I'm hoping I can get longer exposures than 60 seconds. I will update with any new findings 

 

[ukarmy04]

So I got my Astro-Tech AT72EDII in yesterday and tested it out briefly. It balanced out decent last night but I made some adjustment today which I believe will work better.

 

https://flic.kr/p/2eTLmS1

https://flic.kr/p/2eTLqz

 

Awesome - can I ask where you got that extension for the counterweight shaft?