Astrophotography with 4x5

[snaggs]

Has anybody tried this with their 4x5 camera? Any recommendations on film for 4x5 for Astrophotography?

Daniel.

[bwakel]

Daniel

As someone who uses a DSLR for astrophotography through an APM/TMB 130 f/7 super apo refractor, I can use film up to 6x7. I'm not aware of many scopes that will allow 4x5 and I've no idea how you'd attached a 4x5 camera to the scope (at least not for afocal astrophotgraphy). And then of course you're very limited on the film you can use. By far the best film I've found for astro work is Provia 400F (it'll be interesting to see how 400X compares) for its very low reciprocity failure. You could try Provia 100F but for deepsky work your exposures would be excessively long. As an example, using Provia 400F an exposure of M45 takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on the type of shot I'm taking. Considering that for best results it's best to shoot multiple shots and combine them in something like Images Plus, you'd run out of time using 100F. You'd probably be out all night trying to get a single image on 100F at 4x5.

Just my thoughts.

Barry

[wirehead]

This might come in handy, as you might have flatness problems.

I suspect a 4x5 would work for wide-angle astro but not the rest.

[Lee L]

I assumed you meant widefield shots with your camera and standard view camera lens. You might want to contact the person who did the color shots with the vacuum holder that wirehead mentions. His email address is on the web page and you could ask what he uses.

Choosing an astrophotography film is a matter of both reciprocity failure and what you want to record. There aren't many reviews of current films for astrophotography that I've seen. You want extended red sensitivity for certain nebulae around 656nm, which can be found in some data sheets. However, a peak there doesn't always mean the film registers red nebulae well. Then there's the problem of which films are available in Oz.

People seem also to be assuming you want color. Let us know a bit more about exactly what you want to try.

Do you have a polar mount of some kind for tracking the sky, and some way of guiding it?

Lee

BTW, John Glenn says thanks for leaving the light on.

[darinwc]

One of the problems you will have with 4x5 on a scope is that the opening of the focusing mount will restrict the field to only a potion of the film.

There are quite a few adapters for 4x5 holders to fit microscopes. I bet they would fit a telescope with only a minor adaptation. Sometimes they even some with graflok backs attached so if it doesnt work you still get the back.

[Wyno]

Hi Daniel,
there's a guy working at the Gordon TAFE where I work, who used to do astrophotography. He actually invented some techniques for photographing the sun. He used to teach very high level math at Deakin university but the pressure got to him and now he does the gardening at the Gordon. I think he used a large format camera and glass plates that he coated himself because he needes the flatness of glass, IIRC.
If you'd like I can ask him about it and perhaps get him to correspond directly with you.
Cheers
Mike

[DrPablo]

Snaggs, I've been doing some star trails shot with Fuji 64T on 4x5 if that's what you're getting at. It's very easy to do -- the hard part is making sure your picture is interestingly composed, as opposed to just star trails without a good overall composition.

There are quite a few adapters for 4x5 holders to fit microscopes.

Where? I've been looking for one.

[darinwc]

BTW thanks for the link for the vaccum film holder.. thats awesome!

for a microscope adapter, search ebay. here is an example: 290101999433
in the business & industrial, search for polaroid, microscope adapter, or microscope camera
in the camera section, search for polaroid microscope or microscope camera -digital
Some have electronically controlled shutters, and some have cool dial-set prontor shutters! (no aperture tho, and sometimes no threads)

the prices are random, and they are fairly heavy so shipping can be expensive.

[darinwc]

btw most of the adapters have lenses in them to widen the field of coverage to 4x5 size. So finding one in good condition may be important if you are actually going to use the adapter part. Some people just hack them for the backs. but with the expense of shipping its not really saving any money.

[snaggs]

Sorry, I didn't mean eye-piece astrophotograpy, I meant piggy back astrophotography. I have a LX90 with EQ wedge and thought I would try some widefield milky way shots.

The large lens element size on large format made me think that LF would be ideal for Astrophotography.

I was given 2 boxes of expired Kodak E100VS (2001, always refridgerated). I have read from some that its a good film for Astro (though maybe not as good as Provia 400F).

I'd like to try my hand at some star trails too. Following is the best newbie guide to Astrophotography I've found so far;

http://www.darkskyimages.com/gexpose.htm

I'll post some of my results to this thread. Now I've got the 4x5, Rolleiflex and FM3A, it won't be so boring doing long exposures as I'll have three camera's to play with

How did the 64T come out btw? I have some of that in 120 in the fridge. Could you post a sample?

Daniel.