8 replies to this topic

[chele519]

Just recently bought a 533mc pro but haven’t been able to use it yet due to weather. I bought a flat panel and would like to start learning how to take flats and have the right exposure. I’ve read a few posts that say don’t change the orientation of the camera. I had thought I could just point the scope straight up and lay the panel on top of it but it sounds like I can’t do that. I have an Asiair which I think is able to determine the right exposure for the light. Can someone clarify for me please?

[Yomamma]

I used a light panel to shoot my flats for my 8" SCT and it worked fine.  I had to use several t-shirts in front of it to soften the light enough to work.  For my 100MM refractor I use an Ipad light screen and it works really good also.  The Ipad fits right over the opening and then I can get the histogram right on the money.

[DeepSky Di]

The instructions you read meant don’t rotate the camera relative to the optics. It’s ok and likely necessary to rotate the mounted rig to point at the zenith to balance the flat panel. Or remove the rig from the mount and put it on a table and prop up the flat panel in front of the ota.

[chele519]

The instructions you read meant don’t rotate the camera relative to the optics. It’s ok and likely necessary to rotate the mounted rig to point at the zenith to balance the flat panel. Or remove the rig from the mount and put it on a table and prop up the flat panel in front of the ota.

Great! Thank you!

[39cross]

I used a light panel to shoot my flats for my 8" SCT and it worked fine.  I had to use several t-shirts in front of it to soften the light enough to work.  For my 100MM refractor I use an Ipad light screen and it works really good also.  The Ipad fits right over the opening and then I can get the histogram right on the money.

The iPad sounds like a nice solution - how do you get it to display a light screen?

[Yomamma]

The iPad sounds like a nice solution - how do you get it to display a light screen?

It is an Ipad app available in the app store for free.  It is just an adjustable light panel that uses the entire screen for the panel.

[AstroChessPilot]

I have been using this app with NINA and SharpCap. Works good and makes dynamic brightness flats with the FlatWizard very easy.

https://darkdragonsa...pad-flat-panel/

[Whereisclearsky]

The iPad sounds like a nice solution - how do you get it to display a light screen?

Or create white image and upload it to your iCloud drive, then just play with display brightness.

[PhilHoyle]

The ASI AIR calculates the correct exposure time at the start of taking flats.