5X planetary mode equivalent to 5X Tele-extender?

[zelonisv_bob]

Firstly, with the weather being not so great, I've been experimenting with various eyepieces and Barlow lens combinations to see what might be practical for planetary imaging.  Don't laugh: I've even doubled up two 2X Barlows; the result was awful -- no surprise.  I recently downloaded the latest version of BYEOS, and in reading the new User's Guide, I read about the 5X planetary shooting mode and then wondered if this is the maximum magnification I can get at prime focus?  Is 5X planetary mode the equivalent to using a 5X Barlow or tele-extender without BYEOS?  Thanks.

 

Bob Z.  

[admin]

Guy, so, 5X planetary mode gives me the best resolution on and from the camera's sensor, but a Barlow or tele-extender can still be used to increase image scale, correct?

 

Bob Z.

 

Yes, you can still use a barlow or tele-extender.

[admin]

Yes and no.

 

People get confused a lot about magnification and they believe higher magnification is better, of course that is a load of something that smells not so good for a lack of a better word

 

A 5x barlow will give your same perceived magnification as 5x live view zoom... but it will not give you the same quality.  5X live view zoom provides the best possible quality because it is a 1:1 pixel resolution, meaning 1 pixel on the sensor = 1 pixel on the final image.  There is no transformation or resize.  A pixel captured on the sensor is a pixel on your final image.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Regards,

[dts350z]

Maybe it would help to always talk about it in terms of what live view is by itself. Apparently live view is a transformation of the full sensor image to something 5x smaller?

[admin]

Maybe it would help to always talk about it in terms of what live view is by itself. Apparently live view is a transformation of the full sensor image to something 5x smaller?

 

Perhaps it would.  Your statement is 100% accurate, live view in its original size is 5x smaller.  5x zoom is actually the same pixel resolution as a large jpg or raw .cr2 image... which both are 1:1 pixel resolution... 5x zoom is a center crop of the sensor.

 

Regards,

[zelonisv_bob]

Thank you, both, for your simple yet sensible answers. Am I to assume that no further magnification via Barlow lens, tele-extender or eyepiece projection will improve the captured image in 5X planetary mode? Is the resolution quality of the image solely determined by the size of the camera's pixels and the "seeing" conditions? 

[admin]

Seeing is a huge quality factor for planetary imaging.

 

Planetary imaging is also called lucky imaging, you will take 1000 frames and set your stacking software to take only the top 10% or so.  The rest seeing washed out

[zelonisv_bob]

Thanks, Guy. On further consideration, I should've included, besides pixel size and seeing, the accuracy/fidelity of the telescope's objective lens and any other optical device, such as tele-extender, in the train of equipment used. Also, the mount's tracking accuracy over the duration of the captured video would be a factor. I'm considering purchasing the Explore Scientific 1-1/4", 3X tele-extender. I've had good results with my 2", 2X tele-extender also from Explore Scientific.

 

Bob Z.  

[zelonisv_bob]

Guy, so, 5X planetary mode gives me the best resolution on and from the camera's sensor, but a Barlow or tele-extender can still be used to increase image scale, correct?

 

Bob Z.

[buzzb]

Is there an equivalent 1:1 zoom option in BYN planetary imaging or this BYE (5X) only?

[admin]

Is there an equivalent 1:1 zoom option in BYN planetary imaging or this BYE (5X) only?

 

No, sadly

 

Not that I'm aware of at least.