Geelong Region Weather Map

Welcome to Bill D's corner of the net

This website will cover some of my hobbies.  I have been into 3D modelling and rendering, attempted to fly radio controlled helicopters, and even played around with robotics. Nowadays I am into Astro Photography. As it turns out this is my most expensive hobby yet. Having said that I enjoy it alot as it is also one of the most challenging. 

Home Astro Equipment
Equipment
Below you will find the list of equipment I use for astrophotography.

Obs Sign PDF Print E-mail
User Rating: / 2
PoorBest 
Observatory - Equipment
Friday, 20 March 2009 15:25

Cat On Guard in Observatory

I found the perfect sign to errect in my observatory and my cat is warning me to obey Wink .

  ObsReadyCatOnguard   Obs Ready

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 March 2010 18:00 )
 
Cameras PDF Print E-mail
Observatory - Equipment
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:33

I have the following cameras (so far):

  • QHY8 - (new) I have just purchased this neat TEC cooled 6 megapixel astro camera. It is a 6 megapixel one shot colour that can cool to nearly 40deg below ambient.
  • Canon 40D - I have been using this for a while. I was planing on modifying the camera but after using it for terrestrial photography I could not bring myself to modify such a great camera. Hense the purchase of the QHY8. The 40D will still come in handy. Forexample on field trips where my laptop may  not be avaiable, I can use the canon as it can store it images locally.
  • Gstar -Ex Astro Video camera - This is a highly light sensitive video camera that offers the benefits of both high-speed image capture for planetary work and a special video frame accumulation mode (send up). In SENSE UP mode normal exposures are internally co-added in the cameras onboard memory refreshing the image on your PC or T.V monitor every 2.56 seconds at maximum integration you can often see things live on the monitor or pc that you cannot see through the eyepiece. Live Screen viewing is amazing, especially if you have visitors.
  • DMK 41 mono camera - I use this mainy for solar / planetary photography and also for guiding. Its high resolution lets a little more detail through than the Gstar, but it does not appear to have the same dynamic range as the GStar.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 March 2010 16:14 )
 
Telescopes PDF Print E-mail
Observatory - Equipment
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:23

The telescopes I currently have are:

  • Meade LX 200R  12"  - This is permanently mounted in the observatory on a Meade Ultra Wedge.
  • Meade LX 200 8"  - This I use as a field scope. I have the mega tripod that is for use for the 12 inch scope so it provides a nice stable platform. I also have a Meade super wedge with the Mitty slow-mo upgrade.
  • Saxon ED80 - This is mounted on the 12" scope in the obs, but If I go to a dark site I take it out into the field.
  • Lunt LS60THaDS - This is the latest aquisition. A solar scope.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 March 2010 16:17 )