Sunspots, Your daily science lesson!

52Caddy52Caddy Registered Users Posts: 170 Major grins
edited November 8, 2004 in Holy Macro
I need a lesson on getting the focus figured out. I never have good luck photographing the sun. I think I'll try a few more before the sun goes down.
Anyway, Sunspot 693 is about the size of Jupiter and Sunspot 696 is getting bigger. If you are not familar with the sun, sunspots are cooler areas on the surface of the sun. Solar flare erupt from areas above those spots.
10877617-L.jpg
Slightly better shot?
10887421-L-1.jpg

Comments

  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited November 8, 2004
    What are you using to shoot the images?

    ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • 52Caddy52Caddy Registered Users Posts: 170 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2004
    ian408 wrote:
    What are you using to shoot the images?

    ian
    I'm using this setup.
    This camera:
    olympus-c3020-spec.jpg
    Attached to this telescope:
    T09826dt.jpg
    With this adaptor:
    t2-dt-med.gif
    With one of these filters on the telescope:
    FA0005dt.jpg

    I still need to get the focus down.
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2004
    Focus, focus
    52Caddy wrote:
    I still need to get the focus down.

    I guess its not as simple as "focus at infinity" when looking through a telescope? Also, how long (or short) a shutter speed do you use? I'm wondering if part of the problem is the fact the sun is in constant motion across the sky.

    One thing I has always wondered. What is the "depth of field" when looking through a telescope? I mean, if you focus on a star that is 20 light years away, will a background star 1,000 light years away still be in focus?
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    A former sports shooter
    Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
    My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited November 8, 2004
    Solar Protection for your eys
    52Caddy wrote:
    I need a lesson on getting the focus figured out. I never have good luck photographing the sun. I think I'll try a few more before the sun goes down.
    Anyway, Sunspot 693 is about the size of Jupiter and Sunspot 696 is getting bigger. If you are not familar with the sun, sunspots are cooler areas on the surface of the sun. Solar flare erupt from areas above those spots.
    10877617-L.jpg
    Slightly better shot?
    10887421-L-1.jpg

    Excellent images of sunspots - impressive.

    Would you please take a moment to explain to your readers the filters you are using to protect your eyes and your camera from solar destruction? I know you are aware of the danger of solar shooting with telescopes, but all of your readers may not be as knowledgeable - so please -

    DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITH A TELESCOPE WITHOUT APPROPRIATE FILTERS. SMOKED GLASS WON'T WORK FOR A TRUE TELESCOPE.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • RocketManRocketMan Registered Users Posts: 236 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2004
    52Caddy wrote:
    I'm using this setup.
    This camera:
    olympus-c3020-spec.jpg
    Attached to this telescope:
    T09826dt.jpg
    I still need to get the focus down.
    That looks like on of the C700 series Olympus models? ( I have the C740)

    and a 90mm(?) S-C. I didn't know they sold adapters for telescope mounting for the C series Olympus, but I just found a web site for the Digi-T, very cool! I've got an old 8 inch newtonian and C90-ETX that I'd like to shoot with digital but figured I'd have to use the afocal method with my C740, guess I should have figured someone would have made some adapters, interesting. Thanks for the info on the attachments.
    I did try some afocal shots with my spotting scope a while back, came out better than I thought it would.

    RM
    http://roadrunes.com
    "It's better to bite the hand that feeds you, than to feed the hand that bites you" - Me :D
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited November 8, 2004
    Focus is a funny thing with a telescope :)

    First, get the scope setup and ready, remove the eyepiece and insert the
    camera. If you can, disable AF and manually focus the camera.

    Also, there are a couple of different kinds of filters. The one in your
    kit is glass. I have a different material that's almost flexible--I am
    concerned that it will be damaged and I will not know until I look through
    the 'scope.

    I have a Celestron 8" SC. I have T-rings for my SLR but prefer to shoot
    with an CoolPix 950 because I don't think the Celestron can swing the
    weight of the SLR with the motor drive.

    Ian

    P.S. I hope that those not familar with the subject will take a moment to
    understand that using a camera lens (or even just your eyes) or telescope
    to shoot pictures of the sun requires specialized filters and failing to use
    them may result in damage to your eyes. Upto and including blindness.

    You should NEVER point a camera or telescope at the sun unless it is
    properly equipped with solar filters.

    When your scope is properly equipped, you should NEVER leave it pointed
    at the sun while it is unattended lest someone think the solar filter is a lens
    cover...
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
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