Introduction

[ammcdavid]

Hey all,
I wanted to at the very least introduce myself to this forum as I feel it is somewhat bad manners to just lurk without ever letting you know I am here......reminds me of voyeurism (not that I have a personal experience in that area.. ).  Anyway, I am just getting back into Astrophotography after being out for 10 years due to career, educational, and family issues....or life in general as it were.  I have my pier set and need to start my observatory construction.  I recently purchased a T1i in order to enter the digital world.  My last foray into this difficult endeavor was with ISO 400 slide film and a 35 year old Nikkormat so I am basically starting all over this time around.  One good thing I guess is that I am pretty much a blank slate w.r.t. image processing software.  I used to use Picture Window Pro 3.0 back in the day but never have used PS or any other prominant processing software.  So, hopefully, I will be able to pick up my next SW fairly easily.  No, I haven't actually made a purchase yet though I have pretty much ruled out all others except maybe Images Plus.  Still want to learn a little more about PI before making my final decision so I have been reading tutorials and watchin some videos.  Next, I will likely try the 45 day trial so I can compare the stuff I learn by actually doin in the SW.  I will say, this suite of SW looks pretty intriguing and seems to be the most powerful thing out there right now that has astrophotography specifically in mind.

I look forward to gaining a knowledge base and tool box that I can apply to my future images....this is gonna be FUN! 

Andy

[Nocturnal]

Hi Andy,

welcome to the forum and welcome back to AP! You'll probably have to retrain yourself a little as the response of film is quite different compared to CCD/CMOS. No worries though, we're here to help you become comfortable with PI.

I don't have IP but I did like what I saw at MWAIC a few weeks ago. Consider that you can buy just the capture program and process with PI. If you find during your comparison that IP has features PI lacks, let's hear about that. We're pretty certain here that PI is the Rolls Royce of image processing software but we're biased

[Niall Saunders]

Hi Andy - and, as Sander has said, welcome aboard.

One thing for sure - do NOT struggle helplessly during your 45-day trial period. Just come straight on-line here at the Forum. And do NOT be concerned that your questions may be trivial. Seriously, ALL of us (even the PTeam members) had a HUGE learning curve to endure and overcome.

But you will soon realise that the Forum seems to be monitored almost 24/7, such is the international dispersion of PixInsight's user-base. Personally, I have NEVER necountered a friendlier discussion Forum than this ANYWHERE on the 'Net, so I think that you will find that anyone who can help you, WILL help you. Even if they are still trying to find their way in the PI world themselves.

I know when I started out here on the Forum, I actually took the time to read EVERY single thread that had ever been posted - but things were a lot 'quieter' back then, I doubt whether many would find the time (or desire) to do that nowadays, and you would also have to bear in mind that a LOT has changed since the Forum started.

So, please, ask away. If I am available (given what seems to always be an absolute dearth of 'free' time in 'my' world) I will always happily offer to link computers with you (I only use the free and excellent TeamViewer) and help you with your first 'driving lesson'. Along with Harry's excellent video tutorials, this should help you get a 'feel' for how to control PI. And, if I am not available, perhaps others will step up to the mark as well.

Most importantly, have fun

Cheers,

[Harry page]

Hi


Welcome to the mad mad mad world of Pixinsight   , Look forward to your pertinent questions



Harry

[Hans Pleijsier]

What a nice way to introduce yourself.
Welcome and greetz from another newbie.
HP

[ammcdavid]

Thanks all for the encouragement and kind words.  Your openess and willingness to help me learn this software is a great piece of insurance that I will utilize in full in the near future. 

As I said before, I will be starting construction on my observatory in early September and, though it will take some time to complete, I just want to get the floor in so I can walk around the pier and be stable (the pier is on a bit of a hill with about a 3' drop-off).  My rig is nothing elaborate but it is a G-11 with an Astrometric Instruments servo drive system and a 8"SCT sitting on top.  I will be starting off piggybacking and as my skills progress, I will go to prime focus.  I am hoping that I can switch tubes to something a little more effective than an SCT but we'll see as time progresses.  I think the piggyback efforts will last me throughout fall....at least give me enough data to really learn the software over the winter as the imaging opportunities here in winter will be somewhat sparse (lots of clouds and snow off of Lake Michigan).

Anyway, thanks again for the warm welcome....I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Andy

[RobF2]

Niall's comment about 24/7 response isn't exageration.  I'm constantly astounded how quickly someone will come to your rescue with relatively simple questions, and it really is refreshing to browse through a forum where egos don't intrude