Thanks to all for the encouraging words. Regarding aiming, I did see one guy say that shining a laser pointer into the viewfinder (and therefore bouncing off the prism, mirror and out the lens) makes a nice aiming device. I have one ordered, but it hasn't shown up yet. If that works it would make things MUCH simpler - although not as simple as having three hands to adjust the camera on the ball head whilst holding the laser pointer properly. :) I also saw a simple focusing aid - two thin rubberbands stretched around the camera and across the front of the lens to form a crosshairs. (Creates diffraction spikes on the bright stars and sharp diffraction spikes = in proper focus). Want to try that also.
Larry mentioned Comet ISON as a possible next target, and it is the main reason that I'm trying to get my technique "tuned up". That target will take a longer (and therefore more demanding) focal length. I plan on trying my newly acquired M* 300mm f4 on that target. It is also more demanding in that one must capture it before morning astronomical twilight begins. This morning would have been perfect skies and the pair of Mars and Regulus were up there just taunting me as I walked the dog this morning. I hope the weather cooperates and I can try it one of these mornings very soon (before the moon begins to interfere). Astronomical stacking is a bit like the old days of film. You don't get quite the instant gratification of digital because you need to put a number of exposures together and coax the info out with post-processing. But, WOW, when you see that stack and apply changes to the histogram and curves to see the incredible detail that results for the first time -- it is much the same feeling I had the first time I saw, in the darkroom's light of the safelight, the image forming from nothing on the paper in the tray of developer. Very cool. On Wed, Oct 16, 2013 at 5:44 AM, Paul Stenquist <pnstenqu...@comcast.net> wrote: > The banner has disappeared. It's probably just an occasional advertisement > that pops up. I'm pleased that I can now see the lower left corner of > Darren's excellent photo. > > Paul > On Oct 16, 2013, at 12:26 AM, David Mann <dmann...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> On Oct 16, 2013, at 2:07 PM, Larry Colen <l...@red4est.com> wrote: >> >>> On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 08:38:04PM -0400, Paul Stenquist wrote: >>>> As I said, a fabulous shot. But what's with Flickr putting a banner in the >>>> corner of your frame, covering part of the image -- "Try our New Photo >>>> Experience." And people complain about ads on photo.net?? Bizarre. >>> >>> I don't see that baner. But then, I have a paid account. >> >> I don't see it either, probably because I don't have an account at all. >> >> Cheers, >> Dave >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> PDML@pdml.net >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- Nothing is sure but death and Pentaxes. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
