Solar Imaging Question 174MM

mike h

Looking for some info on using the 174mm for solar imaging and hoping someone has direct experience with the 174mm and a Mac running OA capture.

I have used another brand for several years with good results. Question is, what are the basic camera settings (gain / exposure / brightness) that you use for solar in OA capture. I have tried white light with a Televue 102, Baader solar wedge and Ha with a Lunt 80mm. All I see on the screen is white. I have tried many variations in exposure and brightness. I even tried 4.5 inches of extension tubes and no focus. I pointed the Televue at trees about 500 meters away and I get a very clear monochrome image so the camera seems to be good. i have used the lowest exposure time in OA capture and it still looks overexposed.

Any assistance is appreciated

Mike H

riklaunim

I usually used lowest gain and very short exposures, and that did work. In some rare cases camera may not have short enough exposures - then a grey ND filter is required (had to do it for Atik 314, but did work with ASI120MM).

When the image is overexposed setting focus will be very hard - so change the camera settings and/or focus on terrestrial objects away from the sun without the solar filter.

mike h

Hello riklanim.

Thanks for the reply. I will try a ND filter.

Mike