Hey HN, I wanted to share a video on three hardware modifications I made to my telescope that have made a night-and-day difference in my astrophotography. For a while, I felt like I'd hit a plateau with my image quality, and the issues weren't things I could fix in software. The video walks through the 'why' and 'how' of each mod:
3d printing a Bahtinov mask: To get much sharper, more consistent focus across the frame.
Flocking the tube: To dramatically increase contrast by killing stray light reflections inside the scope.
Adding light shield and baffle: To reduce stray light from entering my telescope and spoiling the images.
I tried to show the real-world results with before-and-after image comparisons. These were all relatively low-cost, DIY-friendly projects that had a much bigger impact than I expected. Happy to answer any questions about the process or the gear here!"
madaxe_again•2h ago
My first bahtinov mask I just made out of some scrap cardboard - worked a treat.
Now I just use an autofocuser (pegasusastro focuscube), which I find gives identical results, and didn’t cost the world either (€130) - plus has the benefit that as the scope cools down through the night I’m not constantly having to stop imaging to refocus.
konsalexee•1h ago
Amazing work mate! Your work makes me want to get involved with astrophotography
dylan604•23m ago
This way madness lies. So you buy a telescope and a camera. Then you need a telescope for your telescope with a new camera to use for guided tracking. Then you want another telescope because the first one isn’t just right. Do you keep the first one, or sell it to help pay for the new one. This depends on if you’re single or married. If married, you’ll probably sell the first one, or at least tell her that’s what you will do. Eventually. Now you have 3 telescopes, but need a fourth to guide the new scope. Oh, and a new camera. Oh, and a new mount. Now you need a new SUV to carry it all. Then you’ll notice that every dark sky you have free time, it’ll be cloudy. Every dark sky you don’t have free time, it will be crystal clear.
You’ve been warned! So was I. The madness has clearly set in
karlperera•3d ago
madaxe_again•2h ago
Now I just use an autofocuser (pegasusastro focuscube), which I find gives identical results, and didn’t cost the world either (€130) - plus has the benefit that as the scope cools down through the night I’m not constantly having to stop imaging to refocus.