Another great episode Sascha! Something I think is important but hasn't made the "final cut" might be worth a mention here ... (soft) luggage, and some logistical planning. For my 130APO, I got a portable (fold-up) camping cart from Timber Ridge (a basket and a lower shelf), and soft luggage (Neewer, Oklop etc.) for the tripod, OTA (I double-bag that), mount head, counterweights, light frame, together with a camera-bag, electronics-bag, and an eyepiece-bag for visual (camera shops). All this provides a fixed place indoors for storing all the gear (packed-up, in 'hot-standby' ready to go). It allows me a one trip journey to/from the car, or (more often) the roof terrace, making sure that nothing gets forgotten or left behind. The cart and these bags are also essential equipment. Without them I could not practice my hobby, as I live in a city appartment. Its not cheap or easy to find good fits either. I wrecked 3 cheaper carts before finding a good working solution, and had to ship that from the USA. Most brands over claimed their carry weight capacities, and gave over-estimated measurements that ignored the internal framework. This can leave you a centimeter or two short of your needs. All that being said, I also have a smaller (FF80) grab-and-go sitting fully assembled in the living room that I can carry out whole, and set up on the balcony (thanks to asiair's all-sky polar alignment routine). But even that breaks down into three bags for dark-site transport too.
Another sugestion for avoiding dew is the velcro-shield but with heater integrated, a so called Flexi-Heat Dew shield by Lacerta. 2-in-1, not expensive at all.
Excellent suggestions, Sasha, and the video quality was great. For my rig, the Pegasus Powerbox was, as they say, a game-changer for power management. It's too bad it's blue, and everything else is red.
Another great episode Sascha! Something I think is important but hasn't made the "final cut" might be worth a mention here ... (soft) luggage, and some logistical planning.
For my 130APO, I got a portable (fold-up) camping cart from Timber Ridge (a basket and a lower shelf), and soft luggage (Neewer, Oklop etc.) for the tripod, OTA (I double-bag that), mount head, counterweights, light frame, together with a camera-bag, electronics-bag, and an eyepiece-bag for visual (camera shops). All this provides a fixed place indoors for storing all the gear (packed-up, in 'hot-standby' ready to go). It allows me a one trip journey to/from the car, or (more often) the roof terrace, making sure that nothing gets forgotten or left behind.
The cart and these bags are also essential equipment. Without them I could not practice my hobby, as I live in a city appartment. Its not cheap or easy to find good fits either. I wrecked 3 cheaper carts before finding a good working solution, and had to ship that from the USA. Most brands over claimed their carry weight capacities, and gave over-estimated measurements that ignored the internal framework. This can leave you a centimeter or two short of your needs.
All that being said, I also have a smaller (FF80) grab-and-go sitting fully assembled in the living room that I can carry out whole, and set up on the balcony (thanks to asiair's all-sky polar alignment routine). But even that breaks down into three bags for dark-site transport too.
Great point - thanks!!!!!
Great video as usual. Nice tip regarding the adjustable back focus adapter.
Another sugestion for avoiding dew is the velcro-shield but with heater integrated, a so called Flexi-Heat Dew shield by Lacerta. 2-in-1, not expensive at all.
Thanks - great tip!
Excellent suggestions, Sasha, and the video quality was great. For my rig, the Pegasus Powerbox was, as they say, a game-changer for power management. It's too bad it's blue, and everything else is red.
You meant, if the dew point is really hogh.
Yes ;-)