Move Shoot Move User Experiences

Orion, last night, using the MSM Rotator.

Nikon D850, 50mm 1.4 afD

A night under the stars on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, England

Orion and Ta**us, featuring Mars - 8th March 2021; 22:20hrs

This is a tracked night sky image, using the MSM Rotator, and then blended with a 3 minute exposure for the foreground.

Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm

Sky: 24mm, f3.5, 60 seconds, ISO 800 using MSM Rotator
F/Grnd: 24mm, f4, 180 seconds, ISO 400

Polar aligned using laser pointer.

The MSM Rotator had no difficulty at all with the 24-70mm lens, as it shouldn't do, as the rig would have been under the 3kgs weight limit. I kept the camera mounted on the MSM for taking the 3 minute shot of the foreground.


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Aaaarrrrgh!!!! Clear Outside told me it was clear. Where did that 100% #@!/"*% cloud cover come from?

Polar scope calibration problems

Calibrating your polar scope may well prove challenging, but don't worry. It's not you. The supplied scopes from MSM vary in terms of design, fit and materials.

See other posts on here for using the polar scope.

Calibration requires loosening / tightening the 3 allen bolts at 120° intervals around the head of the scope. Assuming you have managed to mount the scope so there is no lateral movement (extremely difficult, depending on which scope you have been supplied with - see other posts below), my recommendation is to loosen all 3 so there is definitely no engagement with the securing ring inside the scope head. Focus the scope on a distant object and rotate the barrel of the scope to assess how "off" the centre of the reticle is. Then adjust the appropriate allen bolt. Keep rotating the scope, making any loosening or tightening adjustments as appropriate. Don't overtighten!!! Depending on the scope, there is either a metal or nylon securing ring inside that holds the reticle. The nylon ring has the tendency to allow the allen bolts to "bite" into it.
See posts below on how to secure the scope in a copper pipe.....if you happen to have the scope that does not fit properly in the supplied bracket.

Feel free to ask me any questions :-)


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