AmazingSKY
by Alan Dyer
Preview of the Deep Sky with Your DSLR Video Course
Deep Sky with Your DSLR Video Course contents
Some scenes from the video course
Program 1 – Topics in the Live Workshop
— Length of Part 1 2h 21m
— Length of Part 2 1h 10m
A classroom workshop, recorded before a live audience in April 2018, forms the core of the course, and covers a wide range of topics on camera, lens, and equipment selection, and the best practices in the field with DSLRs. Includes all the Q&As from audience members.
Program 1 also contains studio updates on selected topics.
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• Steps to Success – Tips to Get Started
• DSLR Basics
• Choosing a Camera
• Picking Lenses and Accessories
• Using a Sky Tracker
• Camera Settings and Dark Frames
• Controlling the Camera
• Prime Focus Shooting
• Finding and Focusing
• Exposures and Filters
• Auto-Guiding Techniques and Gear
• Summary Tips
• Update #1 – Mirrorless Cameras
• Update #2 – Fornax LighTrack II Tracker
• Update #3 – Bias Frames – Do You Need Them?
• Update #4 – Bahtinov Masks – Do They Work?
• Update #5 – The Polemaster
Program 2 – Topics in the Daytime Field Shoot
— Length 1h 28m
To expand upon the workshop, I demonstrate the fine points of setting up and using several typical deep-sky systems, showing simple trackers and apochromatic refractors (Orion, TeleVue, Stellarvue), as well as 8- and 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains, plus several Sky-Watcher and Celestron mounts (AVX, EQ6-R, CGEM, CGX, plus a fork mount), all in daylight and shot at All-Star Telescope in rural Alberta.
The program includes loads of tips and techniques for balancing, polar aligning, and performing the Go To alignment, with suggestions for useful aids and accessories.
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• Setting up a Star Tracker
• Setting up an Entry-Level Apo Refractor
• Setting up a Go To Mount
• Learning the Sky
• Using a Celestron EdgeHD 8-inch SCT
• A TeleVue127 on an EQ6-R Mount + Polemaster
• Using a Stellarvue 102 on a Celestron CGEM II
• Using an Astrographic Newtonian – the Quattro
• Using a Fork-Mounted Celestron EdgeHD 11
• Using a GEM-Mounted Celestron EdgeHD 11
Program 3 – Topics in the Nighttime Field Shoot
— Length 1h 11m
In this program I demonstrate the use of a Star Adventurer tracker, and our chosen example entry-level Orion ED80 + Celestron AVX mount combination to actually take images under the stars on autumn nights.
I show polar alignment, Go To alignment, and the process for focusing, framing, and setting exposures, based on high-ISO test shots.
I demonstrate the Orion StarShoot auto-guider and PHD2 Guider software in use, including the steps for setting PHD2’s options and dialog boxes.
I also show an advanced “dithering” session with camera control software linked to PHD2. I wrap up by summarizing things that can go wrong!
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• Using a Star Tracker, the Star Adventurer
• Using the Entry-Level Orion ED80 + AVX Mount
• Setting up PHD2 Guiding Software
• Auto-Guiding Tips and Settings in PHD2
• Final Tips and Advice
Program 4 – Topics for the Processing Tutorials
— Length of Part 1 2h 26m
— Length of Part 2 0h 55m
I illustrate the “best practice” workflow for developing Raw files using exclusively Adobe software. But I discuss several alternative programs and workflows using non-Adobe software.
I show how NOT to process astro images (avoiding the practices of most amateur astrophotographers), and instead promote the professional practice of non-destructive processing in Photoshop. (NOTE: I do not demonstrate PixInsight.)
I then process several typical images, first developing Raws with Adobe Camera Raw, then stacking, aligning, and layering images in Photoshop:
• A wide-angle tracker image of the Cygnus Milky Way, showing stacking, then layering a diffusion filter image for a special effect.
• A telephoto tracker image of the Sword of Orion area, bringing out faint nebulosity.
• A prime focus image of M27, the Dumbbell Nebula, with the Celestron EdgeHD 8.
• A prime focus image of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, with the Orion ED80, showing exposure blending.
• A “Quick-and-Dirty” image capture example of M42, the Orion Nebula.
• A multi-panel mosaic of the Orion area stitched with Photoshop.
• A segment shows the effectiveness of dithering, as demonstrated in Program 3. Did it work?
The program wraps up with a summary of best practices and “take home” points from the entire 9.5-hour course.
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• Our Processing Plan
• Processing Workflows
• How NOT to Use Photoshop
• Alternatives to Adobe CC
• Image Example #1 – Wide-Field Tracker Image
• Update – Dithering or Not!
• Image Example #2 – Telephoto Tracker Image
• Image Example #3 – Prime Focus 8-inch SCT Image of M27
• Image Example #4 – Orion ED80 Refractor Image of M31
• Quick-and-Dirty Image Example of M42
• Image Example #5 – Assembling a Mosaic
• Advanced Software Options – PixInsight, with recommended tutorials
• Key “Take Home Points”
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Total Length of All Programs — 9 hours 30 minutes
The course is available for purchase from All-Star Telescope for:
• $149.95 Canadian, as both streaming and digital downloads, or for
• $169.95 as video files (playable on a Mac or Windows PC) on a shipped USB memory stick