Just Purchased the DSI-C II

[txstargazer3]

Hi,

I just purchased the DSI-C II for use with my CPC 925. I also purchased a 3.3 focal reducer. I'm about to tackle loading the discs and reading the instructions.

Any advice for a newbie imager?

Jim

[BT Technologies]

Advice?? The best thing that I can recommend is to learn to polar align/drift align your mount as well as possible for less guiding errors. I would start with that and then start imaging some of the brigher objects in the sky to learn about exposure times and get down your focusing techniques.

The rest will come with time and a lot of practice.


Good luck and welcom aboard!!

Originally Posted by txstargazer3

Hi,

I just purchased the DSI-C II for use with my CPC 925. I also purchased a 3.3 focal reducer. I'm about to tackle loading the discs and reading the instructions.

Any advice for a newbie imager?

Jim

[astrodude]

Jim,

The best advice I could give exactly what Brian stated, really get to know your polar setup and the finer techiques to tweek your alignment. In fact I would say leave the camera stuff off for right now and study polar alignment. Once you start to get the hang of it you can get into the Iterative or Drift method to further refine your alignment.

I usually do an iterative after I realign. If I plan on imaging anything over f/8 then I will do a drift align before imaging.

Good luck and Dark Skies,

[txstargazer3]

Thanks, but I don't have a wedge yet. Thought I'd try some short exposures of bright objects to see how I like it before I get in any deeper financially. You know, the walk before you run idea.

[Gary Beal]

Only advice I have is go for it, BUT........ be prepared to have more failure than success. It is a steep curve, but persistance will pay off. Once you get started, then crack the questions, and sponge the advice you will glean here and on other forums. Trial and error, with lots of both.
Gary

[pizwiz]

Don't forget, when Images are posted in forums, they don't post the failures. I don't know about anyone else, but my personal estimate is that I get one worthwhile image for every 10 to 15 tries on average.
So don't be discouraged if at first things don't come out the way you expect them to. At least with today's digital imaging you don't have to pay to have them processed only to find out that the cat bumped your tripod.

Adolph

[txstargazer3]

Adolph,

Thanks, I'll re-read the files that are on the discs and get out under the skies with it. As soon as it finally clears up, that is!

Jim

[Gary Beal]

Jim,
good, go for it. One thing though. If the skies are not clear, consider trying a shot or two across the street/paddock/whatever, during the day. One thing that snags a lot of folk is the positions of the items, and where focus is etc. Trying it during the day can help, as it means you are not in a hurry, and can trial and error a lot of it. Don't have the RA drive running though!!!!
Regards,
Gary

Originally Posted by txstargazer3

Adolph,

Thanks, I'll re-read the files that are on the discs and get out under the skies with it. As soon as it finally clears up, that is!

Jim

[txstargazer3]

Still clouded over in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, with no break in the 5 day forecast. Stay tuned for results in a couple of weeks!