My dark nebula is too dark

[decay]

Tilt is hit or miss for me. I guess it's the focuser. The OTA is really budget. Optics are fine but there are some parts that aren't really robust like the spider vane or the focuser. I tried to adjust for tilt via the focuser's screws and seemed to nail it for some images. But then you image a different part of the sky, the weight of camera, OAG etc drags in a slightly different direction and there it is again. So I live with that.

Thanks for mentioning this, Stefan. I always wondered why some of my images show tilt (like my recent Elephant's Trunk), but others do not. I always thought it's a problem with the mounting between the camera and the focuser, but I've never found anything obvious. But now I'm pretty sure, it's the focuser itself. There's a screw to adjust the pressure. Maybe it helps to tighten it after focusing?

[Stefan B]

Hi Carles,

Maybe you can try it one day, perhaps with Alnitak for the Horsehead, and see if it makes any difference in bright stars. I surelly will hehe

Maybe there's a misunderstanding. I used LCG and Gain 100 on the Helping Hand, so the lowest possible Gain setting, taking advantage of full well. See my answer below:

For broadband I use LGC and for duo NB it's HGC.

I guess that's the same setting you are using.

that's odd haha do you set up the gear each time or is the camera always in ? that might be it. Not sure if you use a clicklock or similar to center the optical train.

My camera is always in. I carry the mount together with OTA/image train already assembled. The image train is centered via clicklock.

Regards
Stefan

[Stefan B]

Hi Dietmar,

But now I'm pretty sure, it's the focuser itself. There's a screw to adjust the pressure. Maybe it helps to tighten it after focusing?

It doesn't Tried it. It only adjusts the amount of friction but doesn't make the alignment more robust. At least in my experience.

Regards
Stefan