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1/640 f/10.0 46.0 mm ISO 1250

NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D600

24.0-120.0 mm f/4.0

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Astrophotography Astrophotography


Nikon D600 / D610 Nikon D600 / D610


Australia Australia



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NEQ6 Pro


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Set up- For those interested

Set up- For those interested
This is the NEQ6 Pro a much heavier mount (head and legs 20kg 12kg EQM35 with weights.) and better tracking. I will in the end of august get the mount upgraded with belts and all gears are taken out so no backlash.

From back to front ZWO(red) camera next to camera filter draw , Reducer, spacer rings for Focuser, Red Square ESSATO auto Focus and ED 80 Skywatcher scope. On top Guide scope and camera.

the plastic bag covers the power board and plugs from the very heavy dew. I also have a plastic sheet on top of the guide and electrical point on top (not shown here as I removed) to keep safe all the electrical parts from the heavy dew. As well as this two Dew heaters one for scope and one for guide scope. All the wires are wrapped around scope to keep things tight and no loose wires.

Under the silver sheet and towel is the computer in a 55lt box that all the deep space parts fit and doubles as computer cover as well, towel is to kill the light from the computer screen. the mount is sitting in a 2m square that is one side fence, one side shed and two sides shade cloth to cut light and cut wind.

my aim here it to use three cameras.
D810 full frame 600mm
ZWOASI071MC DX crop 900mm
ZWOASI183MC 1" sensor 1800mm
all on the same scope and depending on the target which camera gets used.

My EQM35 was sold to my wide field milky way partner plus a whole lot of help notes and set up in the hope he will get a bit of his Mojo back and take photos again.

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David G Johnson, Mecklenburg-Foto, Ste, Rrrolf and 5 other people have particularly liked this photo


13 comments - The latest ones
 Ko Hummel
Ko Hummel club
expecting top pictures Steve, a big investment which may pay off
2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to Ko Hummel club
It certainly is already
Snake Nebula B72

But I am in Clouds and rains not going anywhere.
2 years ago.
 Nick Weall
Nick Weall club
Far too technical for me Steve but as you know I like what you achieve
2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to Nick Weall club
I have to admit lots of bit lots of wires and bits but I have to say once you get use to it its all logical. I will not stop trying to do new things to get photos as

Basic Rig- Nikon Lens and ZWO camera

Stay tuned.
2 years ago.
 GrahamH
GrahamH club
A lot more fasisticated than my astrophotography... :-)

Transit of Venus, 2012.

www.ipernity.com/doc/grahamh/24027165

www.ipernity.com/doc/grahamh/24027163
2 years ago. Edited 2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to GrahamH club
I am Impressed to say the least you would not have had as many glitches as me either. Enjoy the Sky above in all its beauty.
2 years ago.
 tiabunna
tiabunna club
Very impressive kit in these images and it's certainly getting results for you Steve.
2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to tiabunna club
You have to believe its been a long road but now i have past the Bends its almost plain sailing as the night sky comes alive. the Nikon lens will get its go for selected targets all made from bits I had.
2 years ago.
 Peter_Private_Box
Peter_Private_Box club
Hi Steve
This is amazing kit to have and use.
I am so pleased that you get the clear skies to make use of it!
We certainly don't!!!
Best Wishes, a nice weekend, and stay safe!!
Peter
2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to Peter_Private_Box club
Thank you Peter you have seen the shots as I started to now a lot of learning and time. I am able to use the gear from home in the city 100% because of the filter that kills light pollution and the moon. this winter has not been kind at all we have had so much rain and clouds I have been locked out of the skies. this kind of goes with we have also seen in the rest of the world all the rains.

I hope that I can get a clear night to test out the new camera and see the results but still looking on the 14 day forecast nothing but clouds and rain. this gear is also used in the UK as well I know a few that do it as well from home.

www.flickr.com/photos/132427272@N04/33999487422/in/pool-14731765@N21

www.flickr.com/photos/132427272@N04/46353015822/in/pool-14731765@N21

still have the same problems I have as well. It has been worth while and It has been a steep learning curve. I do hope you ever get some clear black skies so you do get to see the stars even if its like Herb.

www.ipernity.com/doc/1081863/50873916

who has never given up, takes what he can just like me its a case of never giving in.
2 years ago.
 David G Johnson
David G Johnson club
I 'am' interested Steve... at such vast distances to the subject - any movement of your set up is amplified - and what staggers me mostly is the fact that your tracking gear does a fantastically accurate job of tracking your chosen target - billions - trillions of miles distant... I can't help wondering if - that even the draught from a passing gnat ! could cause a miniscule movement of your set up and blur at such a vast distance to the subject..... maybe I'm making things more complicated than what they are... // Dj.
2 years ago.
Steve Paxton club has replied to David G Johnson club
DJ you can understand the "Fence of shade cloth" on two sides stop the strong breeze but allow a little through to counteract the down drought caused by the surface outside. We live in such a windy state I have made my self a hide just like the wall you see here on 4 sides x 2m x 2m high each for when I am away from home. The heavier mounts track better than the lighter ones and they also not quite as effected by winds. The biggest killer to tracking is being out of balance this mount balances better than the first one.

This mount will have the gears internally removed and replaced by Toothed belts to help improve the running. Since buying this i have been clouded over and rained out hope to get some chance to this weekend to really put the new camera through its paces.
2 years ago.
David G Johnson club has replied to Steve Paxton club
Gotcha on that thanks Steve.... marvellous stuff - all credit to you.. on your 'deep space' results
..... // Dj.. UK.
2 years ago.

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