In this issue you'll find:
* Kodak KAF-8300 – 8.3mp of Stellar Performance
Kevin Nelson breaks down why the KAF-8300 has become such a popular chip by
camera manufacturers.
* SBIG STX Beta Test Report
Martin Pugh puts the beta unit of the SBIG STX camera to the test.
* TS OAG 9mm Low-Profile Off-Axis Guider Review
Michael Fulbright reviews the low profile off-axis guider from APM America.
* Orion Starshoot Solitaire Autoguider
A review of the new Orion autoguider by Alan Smallbone.
* Requiem – Daniel Marquardt
Tammy Plotner helps us remember a rising star that has risen to the stars.
* 2010 Camera Buyers Guide
Our annual camera buyers guide with specs on 187 cameras.
* Automation on a Budget: Part 3 - Operation
Joe Ulowetz wraps up this three part series on automation on a budget
* What to Shoot Tonight?
David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the cold
winter months.

http://www.astrophotoinsight.com

Al Degutis
Editor-in-Chief
AstroPhoto Insight Magazine

Woops. Image is in my albumn.
GlennB

Thats well done, you've made a very useful mechanism. Great pics - I am
interested to see your pic of the finger near Eta carinae. I have imaged it
too and attach an image taken with DSI IIIc.
What filter are you using in front of the filter wheel - do you use a LPS
filter?

GlennB
Auckland NZ



--- In Deep-Sky-Imager@yahoogroups.com, "n94d" <astrosteve@...> wrote:
>
> For what it's worth Vlad and James,
> I made a filterwheel


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Friday (Nov 27, 2009), enter the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY on the checkout page
and receive a 50% discount on everything, including new subscriptions,
subscription renewals/extensions, individual back issues and conference DVDs.

http://www.astrophotoinsight.com/catalog

Clear skies,
Al Degutis
Editor-in-Chief
AstroPhoto Insight Magazine
http://www.astrophotoinsight.com

For what it's worth Vlad and James,
I made a filterwheel from scratch to eliminate the slide so I have some
insight into the threads.
I have a few non Meade filters and the standard RGB/IR set that came
with the DSI

As James pointed out, they all have their own annoying thread but they make
it close enough so that almost any standard 1.25" thread bites in enough
to hold.

I made the threads snug for a Meade filter and the Baader ended up slightly
loode but secure enough to not feel like it might fall out.
My filterwheel page here:
http://jfbo.webs.com/homemadefilterwheel.htm
And some DSI II results here:
http://jfbo.webs.com/dsiproiiimages.htm

Hope this helps.

Steve

There's no "official" standard for the filter cell (body) size OR for the thread
pitch, so each manufacturer is different. You will find some filters that simply
will not work for you.

But most manufacturers build their filter cells loosely so that there's a high
degree of interchangeability despite not being standardized, and this has gotten
better over the last several years.

When you purchase filters for use in the Meade filter bar, check out the return
policy so if for whatever reason it doesn't work you can return it. But most
filters will work just fine for you, just watch out for older filters.

James


--- In Deep-Sky-Imager@yahoogroups.com, "bruce_star_guy" <Bruce.Star.Guy@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Vlad,
>
> i agree with Steve, most if not all standard 1.25" filters will fit.  The
thread is the standard (37.5 or 38.5 mm?) for this sized filter.
>
> The only reason that a filter might not fit is if the filter body is extra
wide or extra thick.  All of my filters fit.
>
> Bruce
>
> --- In Deep-Sky-Imager@yahoogroups.com, "Alexandru" <vladutz_alex@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello
> > I would like to ask, does the slider for the Meade DSI II Pro take other
filters than Meade's ? (normal filters, like Orion or Atik, with normal 1.25"
mountings)
> > Thx
> > Vlad
> >
>