dkCambridgeshire Posted May 3, 2015 Share #1  Posted May 3, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Some forum members may recall the thread I posted last year showing an astronomer observing with his 'scope and the method used for taking the photograph using my XV and SF24D flashgun http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/228552-leica-xv-tool-camera/  Unfortunately decent astro observing weather has been scarce over the last year thus have not pursued the 'astronomers in action' project as often as would have wished - but I have tried to improve on previous results by using a simpler camera with a faster lens i.e. the Leica X1. Again I used the SF24D flash with the flashgun lens' beam filtered with three thicknesses of red cellophane - thus emitting a red flash beam which does not compromise observers' night vision. Our eyes take over 30 minutes to adjust to seeing in darkness and it's essential that observers work in total darkness - apart from the ambient moonlight/starlight. Obviously the red flash is not a strong illuminator - it's output is reduced by maybe 3 stops - necessitating use of high ISO ratings. The X1's lens is faster than the XV's zoom - so captures more light at lower ISO. The X1 is also simpler to use than the XV - no zoom settings to 'slip' or adjust - just set it to fully auto on 'A' and 'A' with the max ISO set to e.g. 3200 and the camera does the rest - well that's the theory.  In practice it's a bit more difficult because the X1's auto focus assist light needs something to 'grip on' … a reflective part of the subject which I cannot necessarily see in almost absolute darkness. Composition is not easy because I cannot see the whole of the subject - astronomers are moving shapes in the dark - telescopes are shadowy lumps - but the AF assist does illuminate the subject momentarily and sufficiently for me to make a stab at composing an image. Often the result is not quite framed properly- limbs get chopped off - 'scopes are incomplete - so then have to start over and recompose with the camera 'up a bit' or 'down a bit' … or I move slightly to one side or the other. There is probably a 50% total failure rate - and of the other 50% maybe half are usable - if I'm lucky. But playing the % pays off eventually a few images record as planned.  On Friday March 20 Peterborough Astronomical Society and Stanion Stargazers were invited by BBC Stargazing Live to participate in their live broadcast from Leicester Racecourse. On the Friday morning we had organised a public Solar Eclipse observing session so it was a very busy day for us. When we arrived at the racecourse 'the seeing' was very poor - cloud persisted throughout the evening but we set up 'scopes and binoculars and said a prayer. Our contribution to the live broadcast was only 10 minutes but miraculously the clouds broke for our slot and we were able to observe. There were also a few cloud breaks prior which we took advantage of - but if it hadn't been for the broadcast we would have packed up and gone home.  The following images were taken during the cloud breaks when observers were in action:   Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  PAS observer Darren T using his Newtonian telescope  … his wife assisting.     Using the finder on a refractor 'scope … and pointing out where he thinks the object should be     PAS observer John D using my Docter Optic 40x80 binocular … the instrument has very fine quality wide angle eyepieces and is surprisingly bright considering its small exit pupil.     Two Stanion Stargazers members   cont'd ... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  PAS observer Darren T using his Newtonian telescope  … his wife assisting.     Using the finder on a refractor 'scope … and pointing out where he thinks the object should be     PAS observer John D using my Docter Optic 40x80 binocular … the instrument has very fine quality wide angle eyepieces and is surprisingly bright considering its small exit pupil.     Two Stanion Stargazers members   cont'd ... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/244581-stargazers-in-action-leica-x1-tool-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2809766'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Stargazers in action - Leica X1 tool camera. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #2  Posted May 3, 2015 continuation ...   Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  PAS observer Mike H using an astro application on his laptop prior to observing     Mike H observing through his Dobsonian 'scope … Dobs do not need a separate mount .. the alt-az mount is built into the 'scope design.     Gary S the PAS observer featured in my 2014 observing thread chatting during a cloudy period with two Stanion club members.    Observer in action with his Newtonian 'scope   cont'd ... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  PAS observer Mike H using an astro application on his laptop prior to observing     Mike H observing through his Dobsonian 'scope … Dobs do not need a separate mount .. the alt-az mount is built into the 'scope design.     Gary S the PAS observer featured in my 2014 observing thread chatting during a cloudy period with two Stanion club members.    Observer in action with his Newtonian 'scope   cont'd ... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/244581-stargazers-in-action-leica-x1-tool-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2809768'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #3  Posted May 3, 2015 continuation …  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  One observer using an app on a smart phone to check location of his intended target … and an observer using his 'scope … it can make your back ache!    Slewing the 'scope to the target via the 'GO TO' hand controller … it's all computerised.    Observing    Sophisticated set-up for astro imaging   continued ... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  One observer using an app on a smart phone to check location of his intended target … and an observer using his 'scope … it can make your back ache!    Slewing the 'scope to the target via the 'GO TO' hand controller … it's all computerised.    Observing    Sophisticated set-up for astro imaging   continued ... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/244581-stargazers-in-action-leica-x1-tool-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2809771'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #4  Posted May 3, 2015 continuation ...  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  One of the TV cameramen; I was not permited to take photos of TV cameramen during the actual broadcast - this was taken during the setting-up period. They use special low light TV cameras in conjunction with specially filtered lamps.  Their lamps are not red filtered but they are relatively dim - they were only directionally 'on' during the actual short broadcast period.     Using the 'scope finder     Astro imaging in progress      Final image shows some of the participating observers from both clubs with Stargazing Live presenter Lucie Green  This was the second time I'd tried using the X1 on the project and it worked very well - better than the XV.  Provided the AF assist locks onto something reflective the camera's AF functions very well … and the wide angle lens' relatively large DOF keeps a good depth of subject in focus.  I took approx 125 photos and selected 30 as being usable. The SF24D flash uses CR123 batteries which are quite expensive - but when the flash is used at high ISO over 1000 pops per battery set are possible. And the flash is used at relatively short range so the flashgun is never used at full power.  Despite the poor seeing conditions we thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we were treated to a chilli supper and coffee.   Best wishes  dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  One of the TV cameramen; I was not permited to take photos of TV cameramen during the actual broadcast - this was taken during the setting-up period. They use special low light TV cameras in conjunction with specially filtered lamps.  Their lamps are not red filtered but they are relatively dim - they were only directionally 'on' during the actual short broadcast period.     Using the 'scope finder     Astro imaging in progress      Final image shows some of the participating observers from both clubs with Stargazing Live presenter Lucie Green  This was the second time I'd tried using the X1 on the project and it worked very well - better than the XV.  Provided the AF assist locks onto something reflective the camera's AF functions very well … and the wide angle lens' relatively large DOF keeps a good depth of subject in focus.  I took approx 125 photos and selected 30 as being usable. The SF24D flash uses CR123 batteries which are quite expensive - but when the flash is used at high ISO over 1000 pops per battery set are possible. And the flash is used at relatively short range so the flashgun is never used at full power.  Despite the poor seeing conditions we thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we were treated to a chilli supper and coffee.   Best wishes  dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/244581-stargazers-in-action-leica-x1-tool-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2809774'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share #5 Â Posted May 4, 2015 Forgot to mention that the camera is set to Jpeg in B&W mode and the red filtered flash is set to TTL. Â dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted May 4, 2015 Share #6 Â Posted May 4, 2015 Lovely PJ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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