Beautiful image! Maybe I'll see you in Spain 2026.
Randall Benton
www.RandallBenton.com
Search found 81 matches
- Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:06 am
- Forum: Total Solar Eclipse April 8 2024
- Topic: Totality from Durango Mexico
- Replies: 29
- Views: 284
- Mon Apr 15, 2024 10:18 pm
- Forum: Total Solar Eclipse April 8 2024
- Topic: Eclipse in Totality April 8 2024 from Indiana
- Replies: 9
- Views: 119
Re: Eclipse in Totality April 8 2024 from Indiana
Beautiful shot! This is the look I had hoped to capture, but the clouds had other plans for me.
Very nicely done sir.
Randall Benton
916 826-1338 cel
[email protected]
www.RandallBenton.com
Very nicely done sir.
Randall Benton
916 826-1338 cel
[email protected]
www.RandallBenton.com
- Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:25 pm
- Forum: Total Solar Eclipse April 8 2024
- Topic: God’s cruel joke
- Replies: 6
- Views: 140
God’s cruel joke
I drove over 2,000 miles to Junction, Texas. Despite forecasts of clouds, the day was sunny and clear with just some thin high clouds. Everything went beautifully until just about two minutes before totality. A bank of low dark clouds rolled in and obscured the sun until about three minutes after to...
- 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: 1318
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...
- Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:44 pm
- Forum: SPoD Archive
- Topic: February chat
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3178
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...
- Sun Oct 29, 2023 1:01 am
- Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
- Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1327
Re: Daystar Interference Eliminator
This item has sold
- Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:36 pm
- Forum: SPoD Archive
- Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1624
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.
- Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:36 pm
- Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
- Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1601
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.
- Fri Sep 29, 2023 3:50 pm
- Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
- Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1327
Re: Daystar Interference Eliminator
It is labeled as having "T-Mount" and has M42 threads. I hope this helps.
- Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:27 am
- Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
- Topic: Daystar Interference Eliminator
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1327
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.
- Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:38 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: 24th July Sunspots come and go.
- Replies: 7
- Views: 298
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?
- Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:15 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: dusting off the kit
- Replies: 8
- Views: 351
Re: dusting off the kit
I am in El Dorado Hills, CA. It is just east of Sacramento.
- Sun Jul 24, 2022 9:18 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: dusting off the kit
- Replies: 8
- Views: 351
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...
- Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:10 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Focus confusion
- Replies: 6
- Views: 294
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...
- Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:01 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Monday 29th July Sun
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2358
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 ...
- Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:02 pm
- Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
- Topic: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3902
Re: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100
this item is sold Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019
- Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:01 am
- Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
- Topic: Selling Lunt DSII for LS100
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3902
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...
- Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:15 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: ISS Solar Transit with NO filter
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1558
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 (...
- Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:12 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: ISS Solar Transit with NO filter
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1558
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...
- Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:30 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Nice little prom today 4/11/18
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2054
Re: Nice little prom today 4/11/18
gorgeous!
- Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:45 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Stephen Hawking
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1396
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 ...
- Fri Mar 09, 2018 10:20 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Travel to the sun - for free. Anyone interested ?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2055
Re: Travel to the sun - for free. Anyone interested ?
I'd like to request a window seat, if possible.
- Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:55 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: 1st March disk
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2584
- Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:41 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: 1st March disk
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2584
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
Still learning.
Randall Benton
www.randallbenton.com
- Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:41 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: How do I make and use 'Flat Frames"
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1031
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...
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:50 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Holiday Aurora borealis
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1585
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...
- Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:57 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: What are these things called?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1284
Re: What are these things called?
Sensational image, Bruce!
- Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:44 pm
- Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
- Topic: Wah!'s solar eclipse photos
- Replies: 22
- Views: 11634
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
Randall Benton
- Wed Sep 27, 2017 6:47 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: ImPPG for color images?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2890
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
Thanks,
Randall Benton
www.randallbenton.com
- Wed Sep 27, 2017 5:56 pm
- Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
- Topic: About ACHF solar corona processing
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4451
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...
- Tue Sep 05, 2017 7:01 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Doublestack H-Alpha, next try. Questions about polarising filters.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2104
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...
- 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: 2211
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...
- Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:33 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Got lucky today
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1043
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...
- Tue Aug 29, 2017 9:09 pm
- Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
- Topic: Eclipse White Light Images
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6531
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
Randall Benton
- Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:54 pm
- Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
- Topic: Wyoming Totality
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4933
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...
- 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: 4693
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...
- 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: 3692
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...
- 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: 5057
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...
- 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: 3752
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...
- Sat Aug 05, 2017 8:54 pm
- Forum: Great American Solar Eclipse August 21 2017
- Topic: Where is everyone headed ?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5438
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,...
- Mon Jun 26, 2017 3:37 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: The Big Prom at 6000mm - CPC925 w Quark - June 25, 2017 - RAW DATA ADDED
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4856
Re: The Big Prom at 6000mm - CPC925 w Quark - June 25, 2017
Wow!
Randall Benton
Randall Benton
- Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:07 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Early doors sun 19/6/17
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1313
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
Randall Benton
- Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:19 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: will an IR/cut filter help me?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3070
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...
- Fri Jun 09, 2017 3:48 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: REFRACTED REFLECTED MOON RAINBOW
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1504
Re: REFRACTED REFLECTED MOON RAINBOW
Beautiful! A truly special moment. Thanks for sharing this.
Randall Benton
Randall Benton
- Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:51 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: minor issue with imppg
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4306
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
Randall Benton
- Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:46 am
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: minor issue with imppg
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4306
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...
- 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: 4298
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?
- Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:46 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5962
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...
- Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:44 am
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5962
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...
- Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:06 am
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Do I have a Lunt lemon?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5962
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...