Barska 10x40mm “close focus” monoulars

Yes, it is!

And since I'm using a SlideFix clamp, I don't need to carry my Arca extension rail… and the ballhead includes a panning base atop the ball, so I don't need to carry a separate panning base, either (so I sold my RRS panning base).

On top of that, the ballhead is lighter than an RRS BH-40, so I'm trying to sell that also.

I think dSLRs are bigger than they should be. I like that Sony and Pentax/Samsung and the 4/3 group are actually starting to take advantage of the technology to make the cameras more portable.

I'm glad I'm not a bird photographer. My REI zoom monocular does nicely for surveying views and getting bird closeups. I don't want to add a $10,000, 15-pound, 600mm lens to my kit :)

That is a very very nice ballhead – I'm taking note of that next time I need to pick one up.

I don't want to add a $10,000, 15-pound, 600mm lens to my kit
I feel bad for the guys that lug those around the baseball stadium, not to mention into the backcountry.

"I don't want to add a $10,000, 15-pound, 600mm lens to my kit"
"I feel bad for the guys that lug those around the baseball stadium, not to mention into the backcountry."

Yes, that is just silly.

My Sigmonster only weighs 13 pounds, so I guess that makes it lightweight by comparison.

–B.G.–

Thomas–congrats on the monocular and thanks for the observing report. Did you use the monocular handheld or with some kind of support? Do you think it would pick up some of the more challenging Messier objects from dark skies?

Rakesh–It's been constantly raining and cloudy here in Tucson, too. Probably no stargazing for a while here either.

I bought an Olympus EPL1 this summer. I've been thrilled with it. I also got a little tamrac 3320 case for it that rode very comfortably on my chest (on the sternum strap of my Jam2) for 2 weeks of hiking this summer. Here's a shot from the Lizard Head Wilderness in CO (handheld):

I was thinking about Bob's remark about the limits of taking star trail photos with a digital camera. The EPL1 has the bulb setting for indefinite exposures but no way to keep the button down (the bulb timer only goes up to 8 seconds). On my film camera I could simply use a cable release and use the retaining screw to keep the shutter open. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to take a 2-3 hour exposure on a digital without having to press the button with your finger the entire time?

Also, battery issues aside, are there sensor issues that come to mind when taking long exposures on a digital?
Thnx, Dan

Some digital cameras have sensor overheating situations. If the mirror is up and the shutter is open, it can happen. Some cameras will detect this and truncate the exposure prematurely since they figure that an overheated sensor isn't going to get you a perfect photo anyway. I'm talking about exposure times in the range of a few minutes. I've never had that problem, but I have been warned.

–B.G.–

Daniel – Your camera has a CMOS sensor, as opposed to the CCD sensors that were more common a few years ago. CMOS sensors can better handle the longer exposures, however, it's still a digital sensor and will not hold up quite as well as film. Digital cameras introduce "noise" in the photo during long multi-minute exposures. Some do better than others though, so it's best to try it out. You may need to clean out the noise in an editing program, but the results will likely be worth it.

As for your cable release – you can get a "remote release" for your camera. Check your manual for the part number and then hit amazon or b&h and you should be good to go.

Bob is right though – long digital exposures are a battery killer. If you have a sensor overheat (I've never heard of this but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist), your camera should shut down before any damage is done. Your best bet though is to do some experimentation.

Daniel
Remote release for EPL 1
2 possible solutions…
Olympus have the RM UC1 that works with the other 2 Pen cameras (EP1/EP2) . At the moment I cannot find out if it works with the EPL 1 or not.
Hama have a mechanical strap on version that "should " work with that :
http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/Hama+Cable+Release+For+Digital+Cameras

So you may like to investigate that.
Franco

Nice image!

The sky remained overcast for most of the weekend, so there wasn't much opportunity for star trail attempts. It doesn't help that I don't have a Slidefix rail for my digitoy yet. I used a Nex 5 for the first time on this trip; it fit nicely in the Simblissity UnSlack Pack I have attached to my shoulder pad, and it's pretty light. I have only a 16mm f/2.8 lens for it, so no reach whatsoever, but it's light and compact. I'm hoping that the same will be true for their 18-200mm lens, but I suspect that the 200mm reach while end up leading to a large lens that I'd like to carry.

A lot of digital SLRs have programmable shutter delays, as well as times. Most of them rely on external shutter controls to enable that though. On my Nikon I have a Nikon remote that allows you to program when to open the shutter, how long to keep it open, and how many times to lather, rinse, and repeat.