[This message was bounced by the "quoting too many lines" rule on the list, so I deleted the quoted original message. If the context is now unclear you'll have to dig up the original message and figure out what it's about.] -------- I don't have the specific models you cited, but sometime last year I built a digital camera coupler that connects my Nikon 990 to a Nagler eyepiece. I found it to work quite well for bright targets such as the sun and moon as well as terrestrial photography. I used it to shoot a time-lapse video of the Christmas eclipse last year; see http://www.astrophotographer.com/Eclipse_2000Dec25_WM.gif That is a multi-frame GIF file which you can download and play as a time-lapse video of the eclipse. It was shot with the Nikon 990 and a Tele Vue Pronto equipped with a home-made solar filter (using Baader Planetarium filter material). This version of the image is much reduced in resolution from the original. This is about the easiest type of astrophotography one can imagine. You can use the Nikon's zoom to adjust the magnification, and if you set the autofocus mode to single autofocus the Nikon will do fine focusing for you. To avoid vibration I suggest you get the remote cable release sold for the 900-series cameras. If you don't want to spend the money (it's a bit pricey) you can do what I do: Use the self-timer to trigger the shutter, the delay allowing time for vibration to die down before the picture is snapped. The Nikon 990 (and I suspect the 950 and 995 as well) can take fairly long time exposures, but the lack of cooling limits the practical maximum to 8 seconds or so. On very cold nights you might be able to go a bit longer, but on such nights the batteries will not last very long. I hope that helps, Wil Milan http://www.astrophotographer.com/ "The heavens declare the glory of God And the firmament proclaims His handiwork." -- Psalm 19:1 --- This message is from the AZ-Observing mailing list. If you wish to be removed from this list, send E-mail to: AZ-Observing-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, with the subject: unsubscribe. The list's archive is at: http://www.freelists.org/archives/az-observing This is a discussion list. Please send personal inquiries directly to the message author. In other words, do not use "reply" for personal messages. Thanks.
