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I went on Rupert's Flamsteed Astrophotography trip to Chris's home near Leads Castle, last Friday. We were blessed with clear skies for the most part, clouds reigning in for a while in between. It turns out that night, comet Catalina was making a close flyby of the M101 Pinwheel galaxy. But not close enough to fit in the frame of my 80mm refractor and crop sensor camera. So I reverted to the stock canon zoom 55-250 f4-5.6 lens at 200mm. I failed to remember Mike's advice of stopping down on the aperture for sharper results and something went very very whack on my focus or something as the stars look like a horrifying mix of Liquorish Allsorts and triangular polo mints (and I hate liquorish!) But it serves as a personal souvenir for what was a very enjoyable evening thanks to our host's invite to share his dark skies and generous hospitality.
Posted : 19/01/2016 2:10 pm
the stars look like a horrifying mix of Liquorish Allsorts and triangular polo mints
Such a shame... but it's a nice composition nonetheless.
Difficult to stop down a lens like that particular zoom lens, as it's already f/4 when wide open. Not sure it's much suited to astrophotography! There's too many elements in a zoom lens like this - so unless you go for an expensive Canon L zoom lens, you're always going to have problems.
Probably best to stick with decent primes.
Posted : 19/01/2016 3:08 pm
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<div class="d4p-bbt-quote-title">Tej wrote:</div>
the stars look like a horrifying mix of Liquorish Allsorts and triangular polo mintsSuch a shame… but it’s a nice composition nonetheless. Difficult to stop down a lens like that particular zoom lens, as it’s already f/4 when wide open. Not sure it’s much suited to astrophotography! There’s too many elements in a zoom lens like this – so unless you go for an expensive Canon L zoom lens, you’re always going to have problems. Probably best to stick with decent primes.
Yeah its all I had...and I think its the first time I really used it! If only the comet flew nearer so I could frame in to my refractor, lol. Either I get a 50mm apo frac or a 200mm prime. SOmthing I may ponder on for a while...:)
Posted : 19/01/2016 4:05 pm
Either I get a 50mm apo frac or a 200mm prime. SOmthing I may ponder on for a while…:)
Something like a MiniBorg, you mean? I think they're overly expensive to be honest. I think there are some others in the market as well, but nothing that's convinced me so far.
You could probably pick up a second-hand prime Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II lens for about £300 or so. Even brand new, they're about £550... and very good quality optics. I've used them wide open with few problems, but they're very good at f/4.
Posted : 19/01/2016 4:34 pm
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Well now you make the choice so obvious! I didnt know about the miniborg, in fact I was just thinking thereotically without knowing whats available out there and what cost! That EF 200mm f2.8L seems like a great lens to own.
Posted : 19/01/2016 5:44 pm
