Search found 78 matches

by rbenton
Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:47 pm
Forum: Total Solar Eclipse April 8 2024
Topic: Eclipse sequencer or automated capture of corona
Replies: 5
Views: 1253

Re: Eclipse sequencer or automated capture of corona

For those looking for software to automate bracketed exposures of totality, you might consider 'Smart Shooter 5.' It is a clean, stable application available for Windows and Mac users, and which supports many Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras. The basic version can control a single camera, bu...
by rbenton
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:44 pm
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: February chat
Replies: 40
Views: 2986

Re: February chat

In 1979 I was 22 years old and beginning to fall in love with photography as a hobby. I was eager to shoot anything and everything, so when a newspaper article told of an upcoming total solar eclipse – well of course I wanted to shoot that too. I drove 600 miles from my home in Sacramento to Portlan...
by rbenton
Sun Oct 29, 2023 1:01 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
Replies: 3
Views: 1314

Re: Daystar Interference Eliminator

This item has sold
by rbenton
Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:36 pm
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
Replies: 7
Views: 1615

Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA

I struggled with the clouds and the altitude. I have a pressure tuned Ha etalon, and at an elevation of over 5,000 ft I could not get on-band. Nevertherless, after plenty of post processing I managed to get a couple frames I like.
RB Annular Eclipse 2c_092210.jpg
RB Annular Eclipse 2c_092210.jpg (2.1 MiB) Viewed 1714 times
RB Annularity big..jpg
RB Annularity big..jpg (916.02 KiB) Viewed 1714 times
by rbenton
Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:36 pm
Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
Replies: 6
Views: 1594

Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA

I struggled with the clouds and the altitude. I have a pressure tuned Ha etalon, and at an elevation of over 5,000 ft I could not get on-band. Nevertherless, after plenty of post processing I managed to get a couple frames I like.
RB Annular Eclipse 2c_092210.jpg
RB Annular Eclipse 2c_092210.jpg (2.1 MiB) Viewed 1594 times
RB Annularity big..jpg
RB Annularity big..jpg (916.02 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
by rbenton
Fri Sep 29, 2023 3:50 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
Replies: 3
Views: 1314

Re: Daystar Interference Eliminator

It is labeled as having "T-Mount" and has M42 threads. I hope this helps.
by rbenton
Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:27 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
Replies: 3
Views: 1314

Daystar Interference Eliminator

I am selling my Daystar Interference Eliminator. I bought this and never used it. Perhaps someone here can benefit from it. I paid $175 for it, and I will consider any reasonable offer.
Tilt 3.jpg
Tilt 3.jpg (1.7 MiB) Viewed 1313 times
Tilt 2.jpg
Tilt 2.jpg (1.72 MiB) Viewed 1313 times
Tilt 1.jpg
Tilt 1.jpg (1.97 MiB) Viewed 1313 times
by rbenton
Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:38 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 24th July Sunspots come and go.
Replies: 7
Views: 288

Re: 24th July Sunspots come and go.

I love how these look. Very detailed. Besides the Canon DSLR, what else did you use to capture these?
by rbenton
Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:15 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: dusting off the kit
Replies: 8
Views: 343

Re: dusting off the kit

I am in El Dorado Hills, CA. It is just east of Sacramento.
by rbenton
Sun Jul 24, 2022 9:18 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: dusting off the kit
Replies: 8
Views: 343

dusting off the kit

After nearly five years away, I dusted off my Lunt LS100 to see if I could still remember how to use it. After a few hiccups (had trouble finding all the necessary accessories) I got an image. As promised, I am posting here with tremendous humility. I don't think it compares well with the amazing im...
by rbenton
Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:10 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Focus confusion
Replies: 6
Views: 289

Focus confusion

Hello all! I have been gone for quite a while, but since the Sun is so active now I have dusted off my Lunt LS100 to try some imaging. It took me a couple days to find all the pieces to assemble everything, and to remind myself how it all works. I finally fired up Firecapture and located the sun but...
by rbenton
Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:01 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Monday 29th July Sun
Replies: 21
Views: 2337

Re: Monday 29th July Sun

Alexandra, You said, "...Really I could do with another camera with a 3um pixel size for imaging full discs but I never have the guts to ask the hubby for yet another camera, may be I need to get one second hand." Did you mean a second-hand camera, or hubby? :lol: Love the images. Randall ...
by rbenton
Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:02 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100
Replies: 1
Views: 3839

Re: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100

this item is sold Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019
by rbenton
Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:01 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100
Replies: 1
Views: 3839

Selling Lunt DSII for LS100

I am selling my Lunt DS II unit for an LS100HaT. I bought it last year but never used it, and I am including a B+W High Transmission Circular Polarizing filter and rubber mounting ring which will reduce “ghost images” far better than Lunt’s built-in filter does. It is very simple to install. $1600 a...
by rbenton
Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:15 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: ISS Solar Transit with NO filter
Replies: 6
Views: 1537

Re: ISS Solar Transit with NO filter

Matt, I live in El Dorado county which is mostly rural, and we get our fair share of fires. Yesterday there were two within sight of our house, prompting evacuation of our neighborhood. They knocked it down quickly and now it is out, but the smoke remains. I shot this with a Celestron Omni XLT 127 (...
by rbenton
Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:12 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: ISS Solar Transit with NO filter
Replies: 6
Views: 1537

ISS Solar Transit with NO filter

I wanted to shoot this ISS transit yesterday, and had everything ready to go. But here in northern California I am surrounded by the many wildfires burning simultaneously, and there is so much smoke/haze in the atmosphere I was able to make a video and this composite photo with no filter at all. Her...
by rbenton
Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:30 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Nice little prom today 4/11/18
Replies: 8
Views: 2016

Re: Nice little prom today 4/11/18

gorgeous!
by rbenton
Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:45 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Stephen Hawking
Replies: 4
Views: 1372

Stephen Hawking

I am a photojournalist, and when people ask me what my favorite photo assignments have been, the first one I recall is when I spent the entire day with Stephen Hawking in 2003. I meet plenty of famous people in my job, but he was the first subject I met who made me feel 'star-struck.' Spending time ...
by rbenton
Fri Mar 09, 2018 10:20 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Travel to the sun - for free. Anyone interested ?
Replies: 9
Views: 2025

Re: Travel to the sun - for free. Anyone interested ?

I'd like to request a window seat, if possible. :P
by rbenton
Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:55 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 1st March disk
Replies: 14
Views: 2511

Re: 1st March disk

Thank you very much Robert. I'll give it a try.

Randall Benton
www.randallbenton.com
by rbenton
Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:41 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 1st March disk
Replies: 14
Views: 2511

Re: 1st March disk

I love the quality of your FD images. So evenly exposed, with just enough limb darkening to look spherical. It also looks like you are not combining two images (surface/proms) but I still see detail in both. Could you share how you get this look?
Still learning.

Randall Benton
www.randallbenton.com
by rbenton
Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:41 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: How do I make and use 'Flat Frames"
Replies: 3
Views: 1010

How do I make and use 'Flat Frames"

Forgive me if this topic has already been addressed, but I haven't been able to find it on my own here. I would appreciate it if anyone could point me to a thorough tutorial on how to make, and implement 'flat frames' when imaging full discs in Ha. If it helps, I have a Lunt LS100 w/DSII. I use Fire...
by rbenton
Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:50 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Holiday Aurora borealis
Replies: 10
Views: 1559

Holiday Aurora borealis

I loved Mark Townley's aurora photos, but more remarkable, I was in Borgarnes, Iceland - just a few kilometers north of him. My family chose to meet in Iceland for the week of Christmas. I was up late every night hoping for aurora action without any luck until Christmas night. Then on the 26th it wa...
by rbenton
Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:57 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: What are these things called?
Replies: 5
Views: 1273

Re: What are these things called?

Sensational image, Bruce!
by rbenton
Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:44 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Wah!'s solar eclipse photos
Replies: 22
Views: 11293

Re: Wah!'s solar eclipse photos

Fantastic work! Would you share your method of image capture, and of the image processing? I love how the final image looks. Great work.

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Wed Sep 27, 2017 6:47 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: ImPPG for color images?
Replies: 1
Views: 2846

ImPPG for color images?

I hope this is the right forum for this question. I currently use ImPPG to sharpen stacked Ha images. It appears to only handle monochrome images. Does anyone know of a similar app that can handle color images?

Thanks,

Randall Benton
www.randallbenton.com
by rbenton
Wed Sep 27, 2017 5:56 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: About ACHF solar corona processing
Replies: 4
Views: 4345

Re: About ACHF solar corona processing

I have admired his work for several years but I think his method is unique to him. It appears to be a computer process he has developed but (so far at least) not shared openly with the general public. Perhaps still a work in progress. In any event, his results are absolutely stunning. I dare say, &q...
by rbenton
Tue Sep 05, 2017 7:01 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Doublestack H-Alpha, next try. Questions about polarising filters.
Replies: 12
Views: 2087

Re: Doublestack H-Alpha, next try. Questions about polarising filters.

If you are looking for a high transmission Polarizing filter, B+W makes a very good one that you can see here: https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=2205&IID=10366 I used one on a double stacked Lunt LS100 to get rid of ghost images. Worked beautifully for that, wi...
by rbenton
Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:39 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR2672 on Aug 29, AR 2674 on Aug 30 with the 300 mm scope at St Veran
Replies: 12
Views: 2174

Re: AR2672 on Aug 29, AR 2674 on Aug 30 with the 300 mm scope at St Veran

I was at Griffith Observatory a few months ago. They had a wonderful exhibit about the sun with several images displayed. One was of sunspots in WL and the info claimed it was as detailed as possible. These (and several others like it on this forum) are FAR superior than the Griffith examples. Simpl...
by rbenton
Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:33 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Got lucky today
Replies: 3
Views: 1034

Re: Got lucky today

I was at Griffith Observatory a few months ago. They had a wonderful exhibit about the sun with several images displayed. One was of sunspots in WL and the info claimed it was as detailed as possible. These (and several others like it on this forum) are FAR superior than the Griffith examples. Simpl...
by rbenton
Tue Aug 29, 2017 9:09 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Eclipse White Light Images
Replies: 13
Views: 6431

Re: Eclipse White Light Images

Beautiful images! I love how sharp and detailed they are. Can you share what equipment you used, and how you shot these?

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:54 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Wyoming Totality
Replies: 8
Views: 4880

Re: Wyoming Totality

I am actually encouraged to hear that others struggled in the tense moments as I did. Here is what I was endeavoring to do: Use an Ha telescope to get images of the partial phases Use a long telephoto lens to get bracketed exposures of totality. I have a special application on a laptop to control th...
by rbenton
Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:13 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: My eclipse experience from Mitchell, OR
Replies: 8
Views: 4633

My eclipse experience from Mitchell, OR

A solar eclipse is an indescribable experience. This was my fifth, and since it was close enough to drive to, I took ALL the gear I could fit into the Jeep. I knew I was trying too hard, and I expected something to fail. I didn't capture everything I was hoping for, but I am satisfied with a good bi...
by rbenton
Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:30 am
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Driving 12 hours for the eclipse?
Replies: 4
Views: 3638

Re: Driving 12 hours for the eclipse?

I shot an eclipse in Kenya in 1980. I hired a driver to take me from Nairobi to Voi the morning of the eclipse. There was just a two-lane road and as far as I could see to the horizon was bumper-to-bumper traffic. The driver moved into the opposite lane and drove full speed in the wrong lane to arri...
by rbenton
Tue Aug 15, 2017 5:02 am
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: What is everyone going to image with?
Replies: 8
Views: 4990

Re: What is everyone going to image with?

I have grossly overloaded myself. Lunt LS100 DS w/ZWO 1600 for partials, Nikon D810 w/600mm +1.4x for totality, another D810 for a multiple exposure image, a Nikon 1 J5 w/ 300mm for a time lapse video and two GoPro cameras for wide angle video. Plus a dram of Laphroaig and a Padron 1926 "80 yea...
by rbenton
Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:29 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Where is best place within Totality Path?
Replies: 4
Views: 3695

Re: Where is best place within Totality Path?

Alexandra and Robert are both correct. I have seen four total eclipses, and (because of the incredible nature of your eyes) the scene never seems as dark as a photographic record suggests. I tell people it gets about as dark as twilight – just dark enough to see some of the brighter stars. The horiz...
by rbenton
Sat Aug 05, 2017 8:54 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Where is everyone headed ?
Replies: 11
Views: 5362

Re: Where is everyone headed ?

I am headed to Mitchell, Oregon. I saw my first total solar eclipse in February 1979 just 70 miles north or Mitchell in Maryhill, Washington. This will be my fifth total eclipse, having also seen them in Voi, Kenya 1980; Hula, Papua New Guinea 1984; and Todos Santos, Mexico in 1991. I am so excited,...
by rbenton
Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:07 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Early doors sun 19/6/17
Replies: 7
Views: 1306

Re: Early doors sun 19/6/17

Beautiful images David! Could you describe what a 'plastic bag flat' is? How does this help your images? Thank you.

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:19 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: will an IR/cut filter help me?
Replies: 2
Views: 3026

will an IR/cut filter help me?

I am trying to image the sun in WL using a standard DSLR and Nikon 600mm telephoto lens. I have experimented with a Baader ASTF white light solar filter, but (naturally) the results are not up to the quality of others I see on this forum. I have read that when using the Baader filter, adding their S...
by rbenton
Fri Jun 09, 2017 3:48 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: REFRACTED REFLECTED MOON RAINBOW
Replies: 11
Views: 1496

Re: REFRACTED REFLECTED MOON RAINBOW

Beautiful! A truly special moment. Thanks for sharing this.

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:51 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: minor issue with imppg
Replies: 9
Views: 4257

Re: minor issue with imppg

Thank you very much GreatAttractor! I followed your instructions and now all is well. I changed the name of the file: imppg.ini to: imppg.ini.bak and that did the trick. Thanks again for the help!

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:46 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: minor issue with imppg
Replies: 9
Views: 4257

minor issue with imppg

I have been using imppg, but suddenly I can no longer call up the tone curves tool. I un-installed it and re-installed the latest version but still no curves tool. When I click on its icon, there is a subtle 'blink' but then, nothing. Has anyone else had this issue? Any ideas how to correct it? Than...
by rbenton
Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:06 pm
Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
Topic: Advice for taking equipment on an aeroplane
Replies: 5
Views: 4238

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an areoplane

I defer to Stu's advice about transporting the hardware, but AA batteries are all the same the world over. Just buy them when (and wherever) you arrive. BTW, where are you planning to go?
by rbenton
Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:46 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
Replies: 9
Views: 5901

Re: Do I have a Lunt lemon?

Thank you all for the suggestions. Mark, the allen bolt under the pressure tuner cap is tight. (likewise on the DSII). I wish I knew how Lunt was able to produce an acceptably sharp image with my scope, while I cannot. I am using a ZWO1600 which uses a relatively large sensor, but I cannot imagine t...
by rbenton
Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:44 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
Replies: 9
Views: 5901

Re: Do I have a Lunt lemon?

Sorry, I meant to include Lunt's sample image, so here it is. They said it was a single image, not stacked. it is not as obvious in this image, but I do see the softness along the limb at the bottom of the frame. My image from today was processed with AS!2 AP set to 140 (if I remember correctly) usi...
by rbenton
Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:06 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
Replies: 9
Views: 5901

Do I have a Lunt lemon?

I keep seeing other posters' FD images that are sharp and detailed from center to edge. I have been struggling with my Lunt LS100 for nearly a year and have never made a FD image with sharp detail around the solar limb. I have tried "clocking" the camera/blocking filter/etalon with no impr...
by rbenton
Mon Dec 19, 2016 2:32 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Another day, another problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1486

Re: Another day, another problem

I have a similar issue with my LS100. Did the disassembly/reassembly help with your scope? How much disassembly is necessary? (I don't want to get so deep that I can't reassemble it)

Thanks for your advice.

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Thu Dec 15, 2016 12:56 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Autofocusing coming to Genika
Replies: 8
Views: 4610

Re: Autofocusing coming to Genika

This looks great. What sort of focuser is required to take advantage of this feature?

Randall Benton
by rbenton
Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:54 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Piggyback for Lunt LS100?
Replies: 0
Views: 9885

Piggyback for Lunt LS100?

I want to piggyback a small camera onto my Lunt LS100. Does anyone know where I can get the proper clamshell ring that would accommodate such a rig? JMI makes some but I don't know if they are the right size. Thanks for any suggestions.

Randall Benton