Nigel, a very informative video full of usefull information. I have just purchased the MSM and am in the process of testing and getting used to it. I think I went overboard with the items I purchased but I have found the following setup the easiest for me... Tripod Geared Head Alyn Wallace V Bracket MSM Rotator Alyn Wallace Z Bracket Ball Head Camera and Lens (Sony A7R2 / Sigma 14-24mm) I have used the phone allignment tool along with Photo Pills AR tool to good effect as I I found that the polar allignment scope doesn't stay in its bracket very well, so I'll have to look at that further. I am a bit reluctant to use the laser alignment tool at pesent as I am in a built up area, but will try the laser out when I am next on Dartmoor. Sorry for the long rambling post. Take care and look forward to more VLOGS. Colin
Great video! I just received my MSM as well and this helps me quite a bit! One thing maybe you could do is to explain (after the setup) is how to actually turn the device on, what settings to use, do we need to polar align each time we change composition, do we need to turn off the device when changing composition and turn it back on (and do we have to polar align yet again?), maybe talk a bit about battery life, things like that. Maybe a part 2 if you have the time. But such an informative video, thank you so much!
Thanks for watching and in delighted you found it helpful. I also appreciate the suggestions for future content and will certainly have a look at that as soon as I have clear skies and the time to get out.
Hi Nigel, it is good to watch your video. I notice that you have a Nikon D750. What type of lens are you using in the video? It reminds me of the 18-35 lens.
Thank you for making this video! I found it very helpful. I've been considering the Move Shoot Move Tracker and looking at some possible setups. What do you think of this setup - Tripod - V Mount - MSM Tracker - Z Mount - Ballhead? Do you see any problems or limitations with that setup? I was thinking of keeping the setup connected so all I would need to do prior to shooting would be to place the setup on my tripod and connect my camera to the ballhead. Then all I would have to do is connect my laser pointer and align with Polaris. Thanks again for the video!
Hi Nigel. Excellent video. I'm off to La Palma in May and am looking the MSM. Trying to determine what I actually need. I have a levelling plate and ball & socket. So, do I just need the rotator, laser and Z wedge? Many thanks.
Hi, I read in several reviews that if you want to use a focal length above 50mm, don't buy it. I have a 75mm 1.2 lens for astrophotography. And my question is, won't it really handle a 75mm lens for Orion or the Milky Way? :) Thank you
Hi, I am wondering why you use the laser pointer but not the polarscope for polar alignment. How precise is the laser pointer? (when ordering the move shot move tracker you can chose between the laser pointer and the polar scope. And I don´t know what to decide for..)
Thanks for watching and for the question. As it happens, I use different ways of aligning the tracker depending on how accurate I need to be. If it’s very wide angle and I don’t need a really long exposure, the laser if fine. If I’m using a longer focal length, say 50mm plus, then I would use the polar scope. If I can’t see Polaris for some reason (obstructed or cloud cover) then I use my phone with a mounting bracket and the Photo Pills app. I may well do a video about that if only I can find a night with no moon and clear skies!
Hi Nigel I’ve noticed if you rotate the laser in the adapter its not giving you a complete circle which is making alignment out. I can’t get anywhere near 2-3min exposures that people say they are getting
Hi Chris. Yes, frustrating isn't it? Apparently, it is possible to calibrate the laser alignment on the latest version of it, but not on the version that I have. The latest one can be found on the MSM website for about $35 I think at www.moveshootmove.com/collections/move-shoot-move-rotator/products/polar-alignment-for-astro-photography I may well invest in it.
Have problem. at 7min video says "it locks in place really well". NO, it does not, and the camera falls to one side. Will be grateful for any advice...
The video is referring to the Alyn Wallace Z Mount locking in place and mine certainly does. Most movement tends to come from slippage in the gear mechanism of the Tracker. Also, there is a limit to how tightly you can attach the Z Mount because the tracker gears will eventually slip. Since this video I came up with three “solutions”: 1. Don’t use this setup for heavy kit; 2. Only use the Z Mount when the ball head on its own is insufficient; 3. I drilled a hole through my Z Mount and the tracker rotation plate and then screwed 3mm screw to lock the two together. Another option, if your setup is heavy, is, I’m afraid to use a more substantial tracker system. The channel Nightscape Images has some really good videos about Trackers too. Hope you can sort it out.
@@NigelBaileyPhotography Thank you very much! Spent an evening playing with this mount. The weight was not heavy. Camera with 75 - 300mm lenses are 2kg 150g. Plus mount with a ball head 450g. overall 2,6kg. I will follow your advise no. 3. To drill a hole. THis will definitely be enough to handle this weight. And again, thank you!
I would like to play around with a star tracker on my sony rx10m4 but i have some doubts if it really worth the money. I took some pictures from the comet neowise 2 years ago and these pictures are far from bad for a 1 inch camera . Do you think a star tracker is really a adding enough value for this camera? The best is to try it out but unfortunately i did not succeeding is finding one to borrow. Thanks for your nice videos. I am always looking forward to your videos out in the country. Really nice sceneries and athmosphere....
I think I would start with the RX10iv by using stacked exposures using Starry Landscape Stacker (or equivalent) to eliminate noise. That will at least get you clean images. You could probably find the Tracker helpful up to about 100mm to 150mm equivalent. Much beyond that, I doubt that it would allow a long enough exposure before you got trailing problems. I will experiment with my own and may publish a video once I have done so. Thanks for watching.
How does the camera communicate with the MSM ? Ive seen another video where there is one cable to a remote Intervalometer connected to the camera, and another cable connected to the MSM..And then, set the intervalometer on the camera, and then set intervalometer on the MSM...This is quite confusing...Help
No software - the tracker has its own on board controls. These control speed, direction (for north v southern hemisphere) and for linking the Timelapse function with certain cameras shutter release.
Nigel, a very informative video full of usefull information. I have just purchased the MSM and am in the process of testing and getting used to it. I think I went overboard with the items I purchased but I have found the following setup the easiest for me...
Tripod
Geared Head
Alyn Wallace V Bracket
MSM Rotator
Alyn Wallace Z Bracket
Ball Head
Camera and Lens (Sony A7R2 / Sigma 14-24mm)
I have used the phone allignment tool along with Photo Pills AR tool to good effect as I I found that the polar allignment scope doesn't stay in its bracket very well, so I'll have to look at that further. I am a bit reluctant to use the laser alignment tool at pesent as I am in a built up area, but will try the laser out when I am next on Dartmoor.
Sorry for the long rambling post. Take care and look forward to more VLOGS.
Colin
Thanks for watching and your comments. Best of luck with your new kit.
Every is now on my shopping cart :D Thank you for sharing!
I wish you clear skies and sharp images!
Great video! I just received my MSM as well and this helps me quite a bit! One thing maybe you could do is to explain (after the setup) is how to actually turn the device on, what settings to use, do we need to polar align each time we change composition, do we need to turn off the device when changing composition and turn it back on (and do we have to polar align yet again?), maybe talk a bit about battery life, things like that. Maybe a part 2 if you have the time. But such an informative video, thank you so much!
Thanks for watching and in delighted you found it helpful. I also appreciate the suggestions for future content and will certainly have a look at that as soon as I have clear skies and the time to get out.
Hi Nigel, it is good to watch your video. I notice that you have a Nikon D750. What type of lens are you using in the video? It reminds me of the 18-35 lens.
Awesome Video....Thanks for sharing
Thanks it teaching. I like to use MSM rotator. I am Sony Mirrorless user. Can I use it for Sony Mirrorless full frame? Kindly send me link to buy?
Thank you for making this video! I found it very helpful. I've been considering the Move Shoot Move Tracker and looking at some possible setups. What do you think of this setup - Tripod - V Mount - MSM Tracker - Z Mount - Ballhead? Do you see any problems or limitations with that setup? I was thinking of keeping the setup connected so all I would need to do prior to shooting would be to place the setup on my tripod and connect my camera to the ballhead. Then all I would have to do is connect my laser pointer and align with Polaris. Thanks again for the video!
Hi Nigel. Excellent video. I'm off to La Palma in May and am looking the MSM. Trying to determine what I actually need. I have a levelling plate and ball & socket. So, do I just need the rotator, laser and Z wedge? Many thanks.
Can I also put a little celestron power seeker 60eq on it?
Thank you Nigel!
Hi, I read in several reviews that if you want to use a focal length above 50mm, don't buy it. I have a 75mm 1.2 lens for astrophotography. And my question is, won't it really handle a 75mm lens for Orion or the Milky Way? :) Thank you
Hi, I am wondering why you use the laser pointer but not the polarscope for polar alignment. How precise is the laser pointer?
(when ordering the move shot move tracker you can chose between the laser pointer and the polar scope. And I don´t know what to decide for..)
Thanks for watching and for the question. As it happens, I use different ways of aligning the tracker depending on how accurate I need to be. If it’s very wide angle and I don’t need a really long exposure, the laser if fine. If I’m using a longer focal length, say 50mm plus, then I would use the polar scope. If I can’t see Polaris for some reason (obstructed or cloud cover) then I use my phone with a mounting bracket and the Photo Pills app. I may well do a video about that if only I can find a night with no moon and clear skies!
Nigel, how do you adjust for azimuth without that wedge, or any wedge for that matter? Great, VERY VERY informative video. Keep up the good work sir.
Hi Nigel I’ve noticed if you rotate the laser in the adapter its not giving you a complete circle which is making alignment out. I can’t get anywhere near 2-3min exposures that people say they are getting
Hi Chris. Yes, frustrating isn't it? Apparently, it is possible to calibrate the laser alignment on the latest version of it, but not on the version that I have. The latest one can be found on the MSM website for about $35 I think at www.moveshootmove.com/collections/move-shoot-move-rotator/products/polar-alignment-for-astro-photography I may well invest in it.
Nice video, what is the tripod sling you are using?
Thanks for watching. The sling is a “SunwayFoto TSB-01” purchased on Amazon for £20. Hope that helps. It’s been very useful.
@@NigelBaileyPhotography cheers
Have problem. at 7min video says "it locks in place really well". NO, it does not, and the camera falls to one side. Will be grateful for any advice...
The video is referring to the Alyn Wallace Z Mount locking in place and mine certainly does. Most movement tends to come from slippage in the gear mechanism of the Tracker. Also, there is a limit to how tightly you can attach the Z Mount because the tracker gears will eventually slip. Since this video I came up with three “solutions”: 1. Don’t use this setup for heavy kit; 2. Only use the Z Mount when the ball head on its own is insufficient; 3. I drilled a hole through my Z Mount and the tracker rotation plate and then screwed 3mm screw to lock the two together. Another option, if your setup is heavy, is, I’m afraid to use a more substantial tracker system. The channel Nightscape Images has some really good videos about Trackers too. Hope you can sort it out.
@@NigelBaileyPhotography Thank you very much! Spent an evening playing with this mount. The weight was not heavy. Camera with 75 - 300mm lenses are 2kg 150g. Plus mount with a ball head 450g. overall 2,6kg. I will follow your advise no. 3. To drill a hole. THis will definitely be enough to handle this weight. And again, thank you!
I would like to play around with a star tracker on my sony rx10m4 but i have some doubts if it really worth the money. I took some pictures from the comet neowise 2 years ago and these pictures are far from bad for a 1 inch camera . Do you think a star tracker is really a adding enough value for this camera? The best is to try it out but unfortunately i did not succeeding is finding one to borrow.
Thanks for your nice videos. I am always looking forward to your videos out in the country. Really nice sceneries and athmosphere....
I think I would start with the RX10iv by using stacked exposures using Starry Landscape Stacker (or equivalent) to eliminate noise. That will at least get you clean images. You could probably find the Tracker helpful up to about 100mm to 150mm equivalent. Much beyond that, I doubt that it would allow a long enough exposure before you got trailing problems. I will experiment with my own and may publish a video once I have done so. Thanks for watching.
How does the camera communicate with the MSM ? Ive seen another video where there is one cable to a remote Intervalometer connected to the camera, and another cable connected to the MSM..And then, set the intervalometer on the camera, and then set intervalometer on the MSM...This is quite confusing...Help
What software controls this?
No software - the tracker has its own on board controls. These control speed, direction (for north v southern hemisphere) and for linking the Timelapse function with certain cameras shutter release.
@@NigelBaileyPhotography so I need one remote intervalometer connected to camera and thats it ???