This is the first time I've tried shooting astrophotos with my medium-format film camera.
 
I had to build a special plate to mount it on my scope, but I didn't make it tall enough as I got the end of the scope in the shots.  I'm still very happy with how these turned out, though - I wish I could post these at full resolution, the detail with medium format film is incredible, and blows my Digital Rebel XT shots out of the water. 

These are both single frame shots of 25 mins, at f/5.6, taken with my Zeiss Ikoflex camera and Fuji
Provia 400f.  Very minimal post-processing - these are pretty much how they came out of the camera.

Nice shots Rick - glad to see you've been keeping busy!

My observing buddy has one of those DBA 10"ers with the refigured mirror and it is a real champ
of a scope!  What else did you have done to yours?

Sigh... Tak NJP - maybe someday! 

I got to spend a little more time on this image today.  I got the color balance corrected, and not so heavy-handed
on the processing.  Here is the full shot:

http://www.astromart.com/images/forums/421000-421999/421580.jpg

I have counted more than 20 background galaxies in this shot, although they are a bit harder to pick out at such a reduced size.

And here is the cropped version: 

http://www.astromart.com/images/forums/421000-421999/421588.jpg

I still have a bit of strange background noise I'm trying to figure out how to get out - hopefully
Rick or Steve will stop in and give a few pointers!

DAVE -

Sorry to hear about your bouncy wedge - is there something you can do to stiffen it up?  I've heard there
are aftermarket kits of some kind that might help.....

-Jake

Thanks guys!

Ron, you nailed it - high desert it is.  I was shooting in Joshua Tree NP - if any of y'all
ever get out this way, be sure to visit it, it is a beautiful park with nice dark skies.   

The Atlas performed very well - it is hard to tell from my overprocessed jpeg, but the stars
were nice and round before I got to them.    
I will have to have another go at processing later this week, and post the image again. 

Ron -  here is my method with the Digital Rebel.

After connecting to scope, I slew to a bright star and focus in the viewfinder as best I can (a Hartmann
mask can be very helpful in this step).  Then I set the camera to ISO 1600 and take a quick 10 sec or so
image - I then check the image on the preview screen fully zoomed to make sure focus is good.  Once it is
good, I lock the focuser and slew the telescope to the object and frame accordingly.  Then I start the autoguider
and start taking subexposures - I like to go with 10min subs tops (800iso or less) as amp glow starts to get ugly.  Once I have
gotten all the subs I want, I take 3 - 4 dark frames of the same exposure length.   Once I get home, I average the
dark frames, then subtract from each image.  Then combine the images and process (or overprocess!    )

-Jake

And here is a photo of the mount/scopes combintaion.

-Jake

After the troubles I had with the LXD650 mount, I never got to image with my new scopes.
Meade did take it back, and I am now the happy owner of an Orion Atlas EQ-G.!   

The mount is worlds better, and honestly one of the nicest mounts I have used at any price. 
It has very good PE, excellent gotos (dead center stars at 250x), and is SUPER QUIET.  It is
proving to be a good match for my imaging rig - it handles the load very well and is stable.

At any rate, I finally had my "first light" imaging session with this rig which has taken me
almost 6 months to assemble.  This is a quick/dirty process, and I will probably have to go
back and re-do it a bit, but I think it shows the potential of my new system.  I shot this through
the Vixen ED80sf - it was really a treat to get such a wide field without all the excess coma. 
I have counted 19 galaxies in this image, but there are probably more. 

-Jake

Nice job, Ted!  Looks like the Tak-60 is a great match for your camera.

-Jake

Dr. Clay -

You are too cool!   

Love the photo!

-Jake

Merry Christmas to all here!

Dave -

Every time I go back home to my native S. Dakota for Christmas I remember why
I like California so much!   

-Jake

Thanks guys. 

I thought I would have to use my telephoto lens to capture this, and was suprised
that I could get it with the ED80sf in a single shot. 

Glad you caught the conjunction Ron - it made a nice sight at the eyepiece for me, too.

-Jake

Very nice Jean-Yves! 

As nice as the photo is, I am equally impressed that it is comprised of UNGUIDED images!
You must have a great example of a mount!

-Jake

I finally got a chance to try out my new scope - so this is officially the "first light" photograph!   

Taken with the Vixen ED80sf and Digital Rebel camera. 

-Jake 

Well, I personally drove the mount back to Meade for repair.

They seemed very concerned, and assured me it will get a full "run through" both mechanically and
electronically.  They estimate two weeks, so I should have it back in time for next new moon.

keeping my fingers crossed.....

-Jake

Thanks guys -

Sorry to act like a spoil sport - I'm here to have fun and share astronomy,
not get involved in these silly things. 

-Jake (back to his senses)

I see someone chose to "smite" me here on these boards. 

Having been a member here on the ASO for several years now, I am sorry to see the
lack of acivity here, and the lessening of the "friendly atmosphere". 

I really love astronomy - it is obvious that some people love drama instead. 
Come on, lets stop this silliness whoever you are.


-Jake