Thinking out of the box is much needed.

[JBW]

DSLR Astrophotography is pulling me in. I have been exploring the possible mounting solutions. B&H experts have rarely been of help. Various online astronomy groups think I'm more than a little strange.

Then I had an epiphany: I am doing photography not astronomy. So i came back here to see if my out of the box solution makes sense to photographers.

I have taken some good and definitely pretty deep space shots with my Slik U8000, Sony Alpha a 58 and Tamron 90mm. To take it to the next level I need:

a sturdier mount
a wedge
a pan and tilt or ball head
a remote wireless shutter release to reduce vibration and allow multiple shots

Here are my choices. Suggestions? Comments?

Benro TMA47AXL Extra Long Series 4 Mach3 Aluminum Tripod.

Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
Max Height: 85.1"
Min Height: 18.7"
Folded Length: 31.3"
Leg Sections: 3
Weight: 6.8 lb
Spiked and Rubber Feet
Short Center Column, Carry Case Included

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Equatorial Wedge Base
With Sky Watcher's Star Adventurer Equatorial Wedge Base users can adapt a standard photo tripod for use with the Star Adventurer mount. The wedge mounts on any tripod with a 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 screw and allows users to accurately set the observation location's latitude for polar alignment. The wedge features a Vixen-style dovetail saddle, and a dovetail plate with a screw to attach the Star Adventurer


Slik SH-807E 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head
A precise 3-way pan/tilt head designed to support up to a 22 lb capacity, the SH-807E from Slik features full 360° panning capabilities, along with independent vertical and horizontal adjustments for fine-tuned control. Each of the axes uses a locking knob for control, with each featuring a large rubberized grip for comfort and precision, and a pair of bubble levels are integrated into the design to help ensure consistently level horizons. A dedicated quick release system is used for quickly attaching and removing a camera from the head, and cork-topped quick release plate is included to help prevent camera twisting when attached. A 1/4"-20 mount is featured on the quick release plate, and the head also features a 1/4"-20 mount for attaching to a tripod.

Vello FreeWave Plus Wireless Remote Shutter Release for Sony Alpha
Trigger your camera's shutter wirelessly with the FreeWave Plus Wireless Remote Shutter Release from Vello, a lightweight remote control system that will help you avoid unwanted camera movement. This 2.4 GHz model is compatible with Sony Alpha cameras and will work both wired and wirelessly up to 320', depending on your own needs and setup. This makes it useful for photographing wildlife or for macro and long exposures where it is necessary to eliminate any chance of camera shake.

The FreeWave system also has access to 16 channels for triggering multiple receivers and has an internal antenna that will be protected from any accidental damage. Multiple features are available for shooting, such as a four-second delay as well as multi-exposure and long exposure modes. The device also has a dual function release, enabling focus on half press and triggering the shutter release on a full press. Additionally, it has LED indicators to confirm pre-focus and exposure while in wireless mode and the receiver and transmitter each run on two AAA batteries.

Brian

[Stagecoach]

So you are looking for sturdiness Brian,

But to me, a tripod, then a 'wedge' on top of it, then a pan & tilt on top of the wedge and then a camera and lens on top of that does not add up to a stable system.

[JBW]

So you are looking for sturdiness Brian,

But to me, a tripod, then a 'wedge' on top of it, then a pan & tilt on top of the wedge and then a camera and lens on top of that does not add up to a stable system.

Fair enough. I need a wedge for long exposures. I need a camera. That to me means I can eliminate the tripod and use a pier and possibly drop the pan and tilt in favor of a ball head?

[Stagecoach]

I need a wedge for long exposures.

I'm unclear of the reason here Brian.

For a long exposure isn't it just necessary to keep the rig stable?

[Manfred M]

Fair enough. I need a wedge for long exposures. I need a camera. That to me means I can eliminate the tripod and use a pier and possibly drop the pan and tilt in favor of a ball head?

Why would you need a head on top of the wedge? I would have thought that is all you need. I personally favour the wired releases as they are not dependent on batteries or any other external inputs for control. Get a tripod without a centre column as that will give you a more stable platform. If you are going to be shooting on soft ground, make sure that the tripod ships with spikes, as that will be a more stable arrangement.

All of the heads I have ever used move a touch once the camera has been set up. Not a problem in most normal photography, but will that be good enough for what you are doing. If going for a ball head; the larger the diameter of the ball, to more stable the whole setup will be.

[Stagecoach]

That to me means I can eliminate the tripod

Yes, forget the expense.

Get the largest diameter piece of grey water pipe you can and an end cap. Sink the pipe 1/3 of it's length above ground into the ground.

Get a 3/8 stainless long bolt or stud bar and put through centre of the end cap. Fill the pipe right to the top with concrete, throw in some rebar if you want, and put the end cap on with the bolt end/stud bar set into the concrete

[JBW]

I'm unclear of the reason here Brian.

For a long exposure isn't it just necessary to keep the rig stable?

Indeed stability is crucial. But so is having the camera set up on a wedge and polar aligned. A wedge compensates for the earth's rotation. if you line it up properly on true north your camera and your subject stay in alignment. Here's a link .

[JBW]

Why would you need a head on top of the wedge? I would have thought that is all you need. I personally favour the wired releases as they are not dependent on batteries or any other external inputs for control. Get a tripod without a centre column as that will give you a more stable platform. If you are going to be shooting on soft ground, make sure that the tripod ships with spikes, as that will be a more stable arrangement.

All of the heads I have ever used move a touch once the camera has been set up. Not a problem in most normal photography, but will that be good enough for what you are doing. If going for a ball head; the larger the diameter of the ball, to more stable the whole setup will be.

The wedge is used for polar alignment. Once it is aligned properly it has to stay still. Hence the need of the head on top of the wedge. here's a link. Take out the motorized mount between the wedge and the camera and that's what I need.

If you could suggest where i could buy such a tripod I'd certainly consider it. As far as I can tell neither B&H nor ORION sell anything like that.

That they do and it is actually a bonus in astrophotography. If I shoot 7 to 10 shots and then realign the slight difference in alignment can be named 'dithering'. Dithering is good as it helps to eliminate noise.

[Manfred M]

If you could suggest where i could buy such a tripod I'd certainly consider it. As far as I can tell neither B&H nor ORION sell anything like that.

Feisol makes a number of different ones, but they are carbon fibre only, so not inexpensive. I've also seen Gitzo with this feature, as well Really Right Stuff (including an aluminum model, not just carbon fibre). B&H carries all three lines.

A quick check on the B&H website (search for tripod legs and then look at the images); Induro and Benro also offer this style, but only in the higher end carbon fibre models.

[JBW]

Feisol makes a number of different ones, but they are carbon fibre only, so not inexpensive. I've also seen Gitzo with this feature, as well Really Right Stuff (including an aluminum model, not just carbon fibre). B&H carries all three lines.

A quick check on the B&H website (search for tripod legs and then look at the images); Induro and Benro also offer this style, but only in the higher end carbon fibre models.

Apologies, I missed those. But as you say, not inexpensive. However, I came across the Feisol CT-3442 Center Column Kit which is not pricey and would go rather nicely in a pier.

[george013]

Apologies, I missed those. But as you say, not inexpensive. However, I came across the Feisol CT-3442 Center Column Kit which is not pricey and would go rather nicely in a pier.

I understood you gave up the other way.
You can make a cheap tripod more stable by adding cross-patches your self. A peace of wood of the same thickness as your legs, of the tripod off course, the ends a bit hollowed out a bit to fit that leg and some connection to keep it on its place. Now you eliminated the deflection of the legs.

About gear you put on that tripod, the higher you end from the tripod itself, the more sensitive it becomes from movement of that tripod. The point where the three legs are coming together is your center point.

George

[JBW]

I understood you gave up the other way.
You can make a cheap tripod more stable by adding cross-patches your self. A peace of wood of the same thickness as your legs, of the tripod off course, the ends a bit hollowed out a bit to fit that leg and some connection to keep it on its place. Now you eliminated the deflection of the legs.

About gear you put on that tripod, the higher you end from the tripod itself, the more sensitive it becomes from movement of that tripod. The point where the three legs are coming together is your center point.

George

I tend to wander back and forth as new information crosses my path.

[george013]

A simple suggestion to play with. Doesn't cost any money. The basic idea a peace of wood and two open pipe clamps on it of the right size. Those clamps are fixed with 1 screw, so you can turn them. Screw to clamps on a peace of wood at a certain distance. Click them on two legs, move them up so the legs are on a certain pressure and fix those bolt on that place preventing them to move downwards. All you need is 3 peaces of wood, 6 open pipe clamps and 6 screws.
With the piping clamps I mean something like these http://albesta.en.made-in-china.com/...Pipe-Clip.html

George

[Manfred M]

Brian - as a Sony shooter, have you seen this?

https://www.change.org/p/sony-remove...and-a9-cameras

While it refers to specific Sony models, I would be very surprised if the noise reduction algorithms are not shared across all their mirrorless cameras.

[JBW]

Brian - as a Sony shooter, have you seen this?

https://www.change.org/p/sony-remove...and-a9-cameras

While it refers to specific Sony models, I would be very surprised if the noise reduction algorithms are not shared across all their mirrorless cameras.

I have indeed. Luckily my camera has been discontinued and I never did find any software updates. I turn off my long exposure noise reduction. The noise is removed in DSS. But if I was going to buy a new camera it wouldn't be Sony.