The New Astrophotography Rig

This video is a brief show and tell about my brand new (easier to use) imaging setup for astrophotography.
My Link Tree - linktr.ee/avastronomy​​​​​
Links to my other videos that explain layer masks, camera settings, Collimation and image processing in more detail.
• How to process Astroph...
HLVG - www.deepskycolors.com/archive...
Gradient Xterminator - www.rc-astro.com/resources/Gr...
OPT telescopes and Agena Astro have a tremendous inventory of astrophotography gear and great service. You can check them out here through my affiliate links. This is the setup I currently use.
Agena Astro - bit.ly/3D3U8id
ASI AIR PLUS - bit.ly/46BTfej
IOPTRON GEM 28 MOUNT - bit.ly/3O2QpGX
WILLIAM OPTICS Z61 - bit.ly/44v5Hv7
IOPTRON IGUIDER - bit.ly/44AXRzv
ASI 294MM CAMERA KIT - bit.ly/46Clqd3
Links to helpful astrophotography items that can be purchased directly through Agena Astro.
TELESCOPES
Redcat71 APO telescope - bit.ly/3D6cT4s
Sky Watcher 8" Dobsonian reflector telescope - bit.ly/3XGYwNy
ASTRONOMY CAMERAS
QHY 600M - bit.ly/3rbHgno
ZWO ASI533MC Pro OSC camera - bit.ly/3XPlzpx
ZWO ASI2600MC pro camera - bit.ly/3pDJFHg
MOUNTS
ZWO AM5 Mount - bit.ly/44eHUzn
Sky Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro pack - bit.ly/44gXXMV
Sky Watcher EQ6 R pro mount - bit.ly/3riYbVc
Sky Watcher EQ8 (for heavier payloads) mount - bit.ly/3D3UFkd
Celestron CGXL mount - bit.ly/3O2u6lQ
FILTERS
Optolong Luminance Pro (broadband light pollution filter) - bit.ly/46FIdEJ
Optolong L-extreme(vary tight/narrow dual band light pollution filter) - bit.ly/3NLwrjJ
Optolong L Ultimate - bit.ly/3NIHABV

[@GeorgeSpacesOut]

I'm catching up on your videos and I'm glad to see that you've also been evolving! Our imaging trains are nearly identical. I also have the Z61 with the focal reducer, 294MM-Pro, and ASIair Plus. As far as mounts, I also wanted something more portable and easier to set up, so I went with a ZWO AM5. I still have my EQ6R-Pro and will be using it for my EdgeHD 8, but my AM5 is definitely my primary mount now.

[@siegfriednoet]

Great to see you back Aaron

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Siegfried!

[@vinoner1]

Congrats man 🎉🍾🎊 You’re going to love it.

[@drtools9226]

Nice Setup. I love my gem28. And starting a secound widefield rig vor summer with it with a samyang 135.

[@aw7425]

Congrats and clear skies

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you!

[@larrydrum1842]

Nice to see you back. I think we are in the same are. I'm running the WO zs81 and the 294MC Pro. If you're near Forsyth county give me a shout.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Larry! If I ever get up that way I definitely will.

[@GarnettLeary]

Awesome. Looks like the direction you wanted to go. Very simple and effective. Congratulations on the new gear.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Garnett!

[@2ASupp0rter]

Comngratulations Aaron! Nice to see you’re “back in business”! Can’t wait to see your first light on that set-up.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Gary! Excited to be back!

[@MakeAMark]

I found this interesting since I am going through a similar light-weight transition. I started with a 115 APO refractor a few years ago, which I love, then got a little focal length/aperture fever and picked up a SCT EdgeHD-11. The Beast as I call it. It's great for galaxies, but I really want a wide-field setup too, so I just ordered an Askar 72 FRA400, with reducer (FL = 280mm). Of course it's on back-order until July (estimate) but looking forward to getting that. I run all my equipment via the ASIAIR and love that. Thanks for the video!

[@yervantparnagian5999]

Looks great and good luck.

[@n8ibz1]

Fantastic setup, love my little z61 w/0.08 F/R. I did just pick up the flattener only to get a little tighter view, which may help with the OAG. I also picked up some 365 covers so I can leave it setup for a few days. Have the plus on order for months so picked up a mini computer, 5x7in, and works fantastic.

[@enriqueboeneker]

Awesome! Congrats! New rig, and new approach! Good! I like it!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Enrique!

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Nice! Congrats on the new rig! Gives me some ideas for an inevitable second rig at some point 😎

[@Mantas73]

What a coincedence, i have zs61, was thinking of buying gem28

[@astrocarone9671]

Awesome setup man! Can't wait to see your results!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Caleb! Yeah man, looking forward to what this rig can do.

[@whites08]

Great video Aaron , haven’t done any astrophotography myself for months ..some of it just the hassle of setting up and breaking down the rig . You’re set up looks really encouraging and might inspire me to get out there again . Clear skies from Australia 👍

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Max.

[@nestorgalla8962]

I really like your setup 👌. Congrats my friend, keep it up.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Nestor!

[@jameswoods1939]

Glad you're back and wow what a difference you've made! You can't beat small and portable. These changes will likely reinvigorate the interest that may have faded just from a time savings point with setup and teardown. It is difficult sometimes getting up at 330am to teardown the eq6r and the Newt or 100mm refractor. Enjoy!!!!! Share as much as you can.. looking forward to it.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you James!

[@Culpano]

Back in action ! If you haven't used an ASIAir before be warned you might be tearing your hair out with teething problems, especially the wifi. Its taken me 2 months of tweaking to finally get it working reliably.

[@AVAstronomy]

I’ve heard people having issues with the Wi-Fi on previous models but the newer Plus version is supposed to have improved Wi-Fi range. Here’s hoping…

[@Nottsboy24]

Nice one 👌🔭

[@bengterlandsson7921]

Good luck with the new rig! Hope to see how it goes.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Bengt!

[@TiagoRamos79]

Fantastic setup, congratulations. I also have a WO Zstar61 is an excellent OTA, believe me (it was the first one I bought OTA, and I will never sell it), and very versatile, with a native Reducer or Focal. I've always photographed with my WO in Focal Native. I also have an iOptron but it's the GEM45 (which I love, excellent, light and with load capacity), and the ASI Air Pro. Once again congratulations beautiful setup you will love it, believe me.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Tiago! Looking forward to imaging with it for sure.

[@avt_astro206]

Congrats pn the New Gear Aaron! Im hoping to get a CEM26p from Ioptron! Lovely little Setup!!👍🏻

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Avanteesh!

[@GrowingAnswers]

This is a very very similar set up to what I used to be using. Except I had the CEM mount.

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

Looks like a very nice rig.

[@paulholdsworth2502]

Looks like a very nice wide field rig indeed. I moved away from a laptop using APT or NINA a couple of years ago and went down the asi air route. I upgraded to the asi air plus last year and it's been fantastic. I would never go back to the laptop......the asi air just seems to work flawlessly. You'll love it !

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Paul!

[@nightscapejournals]

Nice one, Aaron - enjoy the simplified setup and I hope you get your Astro mojo back! 👍

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Paul!

[@astrojudebob]

I hope you love your new rig. I have the Radian Raptor 61 at 275mm. It is much more forgiving and easier to use than my Edge HD800.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you!

[@Westlake]

Congrats on the new rig Aaron! Looking forward to seeing your images with this setup! Noticed there was no EAF, but I’m sure it will be there soon. ;)

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you! Yes, I do have future plans of adding the EAF for sure.

[@StangspringDK]

@@AVAstronomy I’d say, that an EAF is essential with filterwheels. Make sure you are not taxing the current output capabilities of the Asiair+ with your mount. With a cooled camera and dew bands, it all adds up, and you might experience low voltage warnings or weird behavior of your Asiair. I have the big brother, the WO GT81IV, and I love it. All cabled up with Asi1600MM, and I can set up in like 5 mins on a Skywatcher EQ6R Pro.

[@ianmacdonald2307]

Looking forward to your ‘First Light’ with that setup. Keep doing what you do and keep it simple. I’m looking to get the Asiair plus when my local stockist has them available…. and possibly a Star Adventurer Gti😳 . Just need to persuade my wife! It would be good to have a simple tutorial as to how the Asiair works for you

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Ian. Will definitely put together a tutorial on the asi air plus once I get this all up and running.

[@craiglowery4427]

Awesome setup. My primary beast is the Celestron 14” Edge HD used for planetary, lunar and asteroids. I’ve been looking for a small transportable rig I can take when we go camping in our RV. So I will follow your dream

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Craig! Wow 14” edge HD! Awesome!

[@markchast4813]

Nice setup :-)

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Mark!

[@Astrobloke]

Loving the new rig Aaron. I have the Z61 with the 61FlatR. Very nice set up and heard good things about that mount. Did you not have any success with the CT8? Hope you don't mind me asking but was waiting to see what you got with it and then you rolled back on all your gear. I know you'll get superb images with that set up and the 294mm in bin 1 gives loads of detail. clear skies

[@AVAstronomy]

Hi Glenn! Yeah man, the CT8 was great but the payload was just wearing me out. I learned the hard way that, at least for me, that kind of setup needs to be in an observatory. I really wanted to get back to something easier to setup and break down and I believe this will fit the bill. Haven’t had a chance to image with it yet but I’m looking forward to seeing what that 294mm in bin 1 will do. Clear skies to you as well.

[@Astrobloke]

@@AVAstronomy That makes perfect sense mate and fully hear you on that. I am so very lucky to have the space and an Observatory, it does make all the difference. The 294mm bin 1 mode is great just the files are big (almost 100Mb each) but the detail is great.

[@astrodad656]

What are you planning on imaging first?? Exciting move, very nice set-up.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you! I’m thinking about going after Abell-2 planetary nebula.

[@AndrewThomas73]

Be interested to hear about that WO reducer and flattener, had nothing but trouble adjusting as even there website it contradicts the back focus. If you have sorted it please share 🙏

[@AVAstronomy]

I’m hoping this will be as simple as my ole WO GT71 used to be. I’ve had my fair share of tweaking reducers to get the right back focus. It’s no fun but once you nail it you can lock it and leave it. Will definitely share once I get that part worked out.

[@polmontwojtek]

Hi Aaron, great video! I'm running exactly same setup. I have a question, when you are Wi-Fi connected (AsiAir to Gem28) you don't need to run guiding cable? (Between guide cam and Gem28) I don't see it on your setup. Thanks

[@AVAstronomy]

Hi! You can run everything through your ASI AIR. No need to concert guide camera to mount. 👍

[@thedeathlyhallows8087]

I have a WO Z61 MKII and a Redcat 51. The Z61 is just as good as the Redcat.

[@dankahraman354]

Where have you been?

[@LM-ek2hb]

Polar alignment from indoors?? How are you going to remotely turn the Alt/Az to make the adjustment? ;-)

[@AVAstronomy]

😆 , that’s funny. Indoor polar alignment would be something now wouldn’t it, lol.

[@AstroDenny]

This is a really sweet rig- Just curious as to why you went with the GEM28 over the CEM26?

[@AVAstronomy]

It was a toss up really but after scouring cloudy nights forums. I seemed to find more positive experiences from GEM28 owners. I’m sure either would be great for this setup.

[@PhilFinane]

Hi There, would it be possible for you to quickly bullet point the steps and settings to wirelessly control your GEM28 with the Asiair Plus? Very little and contradictory instructions online of how to do this. You have the exact equipment I have so would like to learn how you drive your GEM28 wirelessly. Thanks, Phil

[@AVAstronomy]

Can you tell me how you have it hooked up now? Does the ASIAIR app detect the mount when you power it up?

[@PhilFinane]

@@AVAstronomy Currently I have it connected via hand controller. I have Asiair Plus talking with the 533MC Pro and 120MM cameras. I’ve just migrated over from a Skyguider Pro to the GEM 28. I have all of the gear but as I said, getting contradictory advice on set up. Want learn from someone who looks to have same/similar kit. Thanks Phil

[@jberganzo]

I'm very curious to know how your guiding with this mount is doing so far. I have pretty much the same setup you have there and my guiding isn't the best. When I believe I had it nailed down to .50-.70 ars it goes crazy beyond 1 ars or even to 2 ars. If I move the gear to my EQ6-R Pro it goes perfect, under .50 ars. I have not idea what could be happening. Are you experiencing the same thing? Any recommendation?

[@AVAstronomy]

Define crazy. If you mean it jumps from .5 to .7 total RMS average and then goes to 1.5 or higher total RMS then yes I do experience that and that is because these are budget mounts. The periodic error in these mounts are going to see that kind of oscillation. However, depending on your image scale it doesn’t matter if you’re averaging 1.5 total RMS if your image scale is four or five arc seconds per pixel. if you’re using a wide angle field of view refractor like the Z 61 then you’ll be OK. However, if the spikes in your RMS are much larger than that then it would definitely cause a problem in your images.

[@jberganzo]

@@AVAstronomy Thanks for the reply! I'm using this for a wide setup mainly. I have a EQ6-R Pro for my other application with no problem. The reality is that my pictures are just fine, still round stars. I guess I'm used to my EQ6... I opened a claim with Ioptron support in case I can fine tune it a bit more. I can let you know later if they tell me something worth passing forward. I enjoy your videos. Keep the good work!

[@AVAstronomy]

@@jberganzo thank you! And yes let me know if they offer any help but just like you said of the pictures are still looking sharp with round stars then you know the error is smaller than your image scale. Clear skies!

[@sajjadahmed46]

Hi mate.. Someone I know is selling one of these mounts for a very reasonable price.. Question is, would it be suitable for use with SW esprit 100 ed with the associated astro gear.. Total imaging payload of around 9kg

[@AVAstronomy]

Hey bud! Yeah that should work well but please note I’m currently imaging at 288mm with my z61 scope (with reducer). So, while my total RMS is usually pretty good .8-1.0, it can spike sometimes. For me this isn’t that big of a deal because of my image scale and I still get nice round stars. I would check your image scale first. If your image scale is like 2-3 arc sec/pixel or higher then you’ll be good but if your image is 1 arc sec/pixel or lower then you’ll see those errors showing up on your sub frames. Hope that helps.

[@sajjadahmed46]

@@AVAstronomy image scale with my setup is around 1.5.. Think I might be making that purchase 😁

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Nice setup Aaron! Why not redcat?

[@AVAstronomy]

Hi Ray! Thank you! I actually was trying to get a hold of a red cat but they were on back order at the time. I hope all is well with you buddy.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

@@AVAstronomy doing well. It is too cloudy here for last 2 weeks. I think it will get better in a week