New flats from DayStar Filters!

[DeepSolar64]

Some of you may find these useful.

http://www.daystarfilters.com/FlatCap/Index.shtml

[marktownley]

Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

[torsinadoc]

Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

That’s what they suggested when I complained about my Quantum PE (see the quantum thread).

[marktownley]

That’s what they suggested when I complained about my Quantum PE (see the quantum thread).

[Fabio_Imm]

Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

I quote every word.
I am wondering the exchange rate of 69 USD in terms of equivalent rolls of plastic wrap

Plastic-Wrap-Film.jpg (9.53 KiB) Viewed 661 times

Fabio

[rsfoto]

Hi,

Long time ago I build a Flatmaker using and embroidery ring and paper and then for my Mewlon 250 I went to a company which cuts with Laser.

So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker

Flat01.jpg (73.94 KiB) Viewed 635 times

The Flatmaker below cost me about 15 bucks

RS_FlatMaker_Mewlon.jpg (562.02 KiB) Viewed 635 times

[DeepSolar64]

You are certainly creative, Rainer.

[marktownley]

So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker

Shouldn't be that way

[Fabio_Imm]

Hi,

Long time ago I build a Flatmaker using and embroidery ring and paper and then for my Mewlon 250 I went to a company which cuts with Laser.

So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker

Hi Rainer,
The embroidery ring is brilliant!
Now that you made me think about it, there are similar wooden rings used to build the frame of sieves for sifting flour, useful for smaller apertures.
I am borrowing your idea right away

Fabio

[torsinadoc]

Brilliant idea to use embroidery ring but a PE shouldn't need flats due to poor uniformity.

[marktownley]

but a PE shouldn't need flats due to poor uniformity.

I agree

[MapleRidge]

Hi All...

The responses form Daystar regarding anything to do with their filters is disappointing at best...usually a defensive stance and there is user error or no way to remedy issues on their part.

Now, flats will likely still be needed to remove dust bunnies that are in the optical train and camera optical window but not for that high end filter.

Brian

[PDB]

Looked at the video on their page on how to use it. Particulary enjoyed the part where the guy is saying to "trash this Quark, our customers will never get such a bad one" . Maybe he should come and look at mine, which now serves as excellent paper weight.

Paul

[christian viladrich]

Now, flats will likely still be needed to remove dust bunnies that are in the optical train and camera optical window but not for that high end filter.

Brian

This is true for sure.

[DeepSolar64]

Those embroidery rings Rainer uses may do good mounting Baader AstroSolar film for white light too.

[rsfoto]

Those embroidery rings Rainer uses may do good mounting Baader AstroSolar film for white light too.

Hi James,

Yes but be careful with that. Make sure it is well fixed on the shade ...

[rsfoto]

Hi,

I know this has nothing to do with Solar imaging but for all those who also make DSO imaging here a focusing aid for your telescope also based on an embroidery ring

This gives great diffraction spikes ...

Just take some mosquito wire mesh and press it into the ring.

Focus_aid3.jpg (1.25 MiB) Viewed 488 times

[DeepSolar64]

That's pretty neat Rainer.

[JochenM]

So I guess we now have a follow up to the bahtinov mask. What should we call it?

[rsfoto]

Hi,

All this is for flatting either the Sun or the DSO Objects and focusing DSO obejects.

What we really need is a focusing aid for the Sun ... additional to our eyes and experience ...

I know some rely on the SSM meters and automatic start and stop of the video acquiring but ...

[marktownley]

What we really need is a focusing aid for the Sun ... additional to our eyes and experience ...

For imaging, both Firecapture and Genika have a focus aid, (not sure about other software!), can't say as I bother with either. When imaging I just view image at 100% size and focus that way.

[PDB]

and Genika has autofocus (works very well)
Attacheh a file on how to focus using the histogram (would quote the author, but no way I can find it back)

Paul

[rsfoto]

Hi Mark and Paul,

Thanks for mentioning it and now I remember that even my very old acquisition software Lucam Recorder has a focusing aid based on contrast.

Unfortunately the author was called by himself to do something better but the project failed misereably and he abandoned the development of his software. That happens when people try to reach the stars but barely have arms long enough to reach the moon ...




Now from FLATs we landed at focusing