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Could you link what you got? I am heading to Dark Sky land soon.
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Apr 27, 2024 20:28
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| # ? Apr 28, 2024 18:13 |
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Arkhamina posted:Could you link what you got? I am heading to Dark Sky land soon. It's these Nikon Prostar 7x50s, from all my reading on other astro forums these came highly recommended specifically for dark skies. I got it used off eBay from Japan, I don't think you can get them new any more. They were not cheap, but I had some bonus cash on a debit recognition card from work and I figured why not. You absolutely do not need to spend like I did, you can get other 7x50s or 10x50s from Nikon or another brand for under $200 and they will get you there as well. Something like these looked like they were highly recommended.These particular Nikons just have a slightly wider field of view compared to most 7x50s, and have a field flattener that promises consistent image quality edge to edge. They weigh a ton and focus individually through each eyepiece, so slow to use and hefty to hold. I did compare them against my coworker's Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 binoculars, which are also high quality but are geared more towards birding and terrestrial subjects. Those ones are more for everyday use because they have center focusing and are much lighter and more compact. They still offered up great views of the stars, but with a little coma and softening on the edges. The Prostars by comparison just looked plain brighter and had 0 coma or fuzziness on the edges of the frame. It doesn't sound like much, but it was very apparent when we were doing our A/B comparisons. They also have a classic, timeless look to them.  We are still going to take both binoculars on the trip, because those Monarchs were not bad, and then we can have more people looking through binoculars instead of waiting to share. I didn't even realize some of the stars in the bigger constellations were actually doubles, or at least I've never been able to tell with naked eye - but it was just immediately obvious with the binoculars. We can't wait to see what we'll find with a proper dark sky. Next up is I need one of those hammock recliners from Costco! My coworker had one of the Rio hammock chairs, and that felt perfect for lounging back and supporting the binoculars while looking straight up. Handholding binoculars to stargaze is kind of tough unless you have a nice support, otherwise the stars just bounce back and forth a ton. Shakiness is much more noticeable with looking at the stars instead of terrestrial subjects. cerious fucked around with this message at 22:05 on Apr 27, 2024 |
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Apr 27, 2024 21:50
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Congrats on your gateway drug. You got about 6 months before you buy your first dobs.
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Apr 27, 2024 23:56
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Fitzy Fitz posted:I've never actually worn an external frame backpack, but I'd really like to try one out. Seek Outside makes the only good light ones I’m aware of
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Apr 28, 2024 01:43
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Pick up a good camera tripod at a secondhand store for cheap and get an adapter mount for the binos and you'll boost your comfort a lot, not having to hold your arms up the whole time. Plus the image will be more stable and thus you'll probably resolve even more
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Apr 28, 2024 02:29
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Mederlock posted:Pick up a good camera tripod at a secondhand store for cheap and get an adapter mount for the binos and you'll boost your comfort a lot, not having to hold your arms up the whole time. Plus the image will be more stable and thus you'll probably resolve even more Oh yeah I got a tripod mount on the way already too. I only have ballheads though but I've got one that should be rock solid for viewing. I do have to bring one of my other tripods on this next trip though since I'm going to try to do some star trail pics on film.
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Apr 28, 2024 03:29
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| # ? Apr 28, 2024 18:13 |
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cerious posted:Oh yeah I got a tripod mount on the way already too. I only have ballheads though but I've got one that should be rock solid for viewing. I do have to bring one of my other tripods on this next trip though since I'm going to try to do some star trail pics on film. Holy poo poo this is such a great idea, thanks!! cerious posted:It's these Nikon Prostar 7x50s, from all my reading on other astro forums these came highly recommended specifically for dark skies. I got it used off eBay from Japan, I don't think you can get them new any more. They were not cheap, but I had some bonus cash on a debit recognition card from work and I figured why not. You absolutely do not need to spend like I did, you can get other 7x50s or 10x50s from Nikon or another brand for under $200 and they will get you there as well. Something like these looked like they were highly recommended.These particular Nikons just have a slightly wider field of view compared to most 7x50s, and have a field flattener that promises consistent image quality edge to edge. They weigh a ton and focus individually through each eyepiece, so slow to use and hefty to hold. Ohhh, this is choice... nice! I've been using a pair of Vortex 8x42 crossfires for this exact thing (plus birds), and now that you've mentioned it, I can tell exactly what you're saying about the softness on the edges. Probably something I would have never noticed or thought too hard about, but is now going to eat at the back of my brain until I take the plunge down the same rabbithole At least the 50mm lense would be nice to let more light in  Can confirm by the way -- the nemo stargazer hammock chairs are stupid comfortable for this exact thing! That costco chair is basically identical... you'll love it Protip for cold weather stargazing in those chairs -- I cut a thin gossamer gear foam pad to length and it does wonders keeping your backside warm
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Apr 28, 2024 05:31
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