04
SEP
2013
Cygnus with didymium (red enhancing) filter north american nebula, pelecan nebula, butterfly nebula

Cygnus nebulae

This is easily the best astro shot I’ve managed to date. Taken using a combination of the cross filter and the new didymium / red enhancing filter which really draws out the nebulosity in Cygnus. The North America nebula, Pelican nebula and Butterfly nebula can all be seen...
03
SEP
2013
deneb

Deneb & Sadr

Rummaging through some old camera gear, I found a neglected looking cross filter from back in my old film camera days. I guess it’s more of a novelty effect filter, but I was intrigued as to what it might do to my star shots. It polished up nicely with a microfibre cloth,...
30
AUG
2013
M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules

Testing out the barn door tracker

Looking to test the newly improved ‘barn door’ tracker to its limit, I dusted off my old Sigma 75-200mm/f3.8 with 2x tele-converter. But with a hefty 600mm 35mm equivalent focal length, I was prepared for the worst. After less than a minute of polar alignment, and...
28
AUG
2013
milky way tokina 11-16mm f2.8 190sec iso1600 at f4

The Milky Way

First attempt at shooting with the home made ‘barn door/scotch mount’ star tracker – I’m amazed how well it works! This single 3 minute exposure was taken using a borrowed Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens in the amazingly clear skies of the North York Moors. The...