The ZWO AM5 Mount for Extremely Portable Astrophotography

[@mikehardy8247]

This video popped up as a suggestion, after watching one of Peter Zelinka's videos. Very happy to have found your channel. Beautiful images. I just got my AM5. I have an Askar 120 mm APO triplet on it. Kitted out, a little oner 20 pounds I'm guessing. The AM5 handles it without a CW Beautifully. I'm quite impressed.

[@jeffballphoto]

Awesome! Thank you! Sounds like a wonderful setup. Clear skies and happy eclipsing.

[@KevinMurphy0403]

Thanks for doing this video, very inspiring. I bought the AM5 in late May and only used it once before the all night twilight arrived here at 53 degrees north. Looking forward to some darker nights maybe in August onward. Keep up the great work!

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you for watching and the kind words, Kevin. I hope you are got some aurora views before you lost darkness. You will love the capability of the mount in an ultra-portable package. Take care.

[@OlliesSpace]

Kinda amazing the load this thing can take. Thanks for the look over this mount. I agree would want a counterweight at that heavier end.:)

[@jeffballphoto]

Totally agree

[@AstroForumSpace]

Nice review Jeff, and amazing pics at the end of your video. Cloudy nights here in the Netherlands atm. Have a great 2023!

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you, Wido. Bitter cold here. Wishing you all the best in 2023! Keep up the great work!

[@AstroOnBudget]

Jeff, this is awesome! The image really pops!

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you so much for watching and the kind words.

[@brianfromsyr]

Thank you for the great video!

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you so much for watching and the kind words, Brian.

[@FrancoContreras]

Hi Jeff. Stunning colors of the images!! really inspiring, hope to get a scope soon :/

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you Franco. Best wishes in your scope purchase. What are you getting?

[@FrancoContreras]

@@jeffballphoto Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PS is the only option I have right now here in Argentina. It will be my first telescope so I´m still reading about it

[@FrancoContreras]

EQ5 mount

[@jeffballphoto]

That is a really nice setup. I am envious of your southern skies. You will have a blast with that gear. Best wishes and keep me updated on your progress.

[@FrancoContreras]

@@jeffballphoto that is true !! milky way casts shadows here !!! thank you

[@Aerostar509]

Jeff, another great video from you. I get inspired from your work. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Tim

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you so much, Tim. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@hael8680]

5:20 Does that rig hit the tripod legs near the meridian? I am looking at getting one but I am not sure about the pier extension. Great image gallery at the end!! You did a great job!

[@jeffballphoto]

Thank you. No the mount has a meridian stop that is on by default. I leave it on. Prevents chance of hitting legs. At least with my tube lengths. Hope that helps.

[@eddiejaramillo6642]

Thanks, nice video. Also, what is the intro music for this video?

[@jeffballphoto]

Thanks for watching. Walking the Smooth Groove by Ben Curtis. It was credited at the end of the video.

[@anata5127]

I am surprised you trust AP scope to airlines. You are brave man. They broke my alpine skis.

[@jeffballphoto]

I would carry on the Stowaway.

[@anata5127]

@@jeffballphoto Ok.,This is better. 😀

[@malanstecker]

Hi Jeff: Do you have a link on how you setup your solar imaging on the AP92? Does one need a blocking filter on the objective of the AP telescope plus the Quark?

[@jeffballphoto]

Hello Michael. I think I cover this in the video linked here. Hope this helps. Thanks again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn_GaYRnaLWYnNU

[@KJRitch]

Did the AM 5 replace your CEM40? Were their problems with the CEM40? Is the guiding better on the AM5 despite the higher PE than the CEM40? Thanks.

[@jeffballphoto]

Yes it did. No issues with CEM40. Guiding is similar. Just a much lighter setup and no counter weight.

[@Daniel_DP83]

Hi Jeff, how much kilos has the AM5 + Tripod?

[@jeffballphoto]

Looks like 2.2.

[@massimo541]

Hi, awesome tutorials. I have a question I can't answer. I've read that with the new AM5 harmonic mount it's a good idea to set the exposure of the guide camera to 0.5 - 1.0 sec (objectively, I had never considered the problem before, on AsiAir plus, I set the gain). I looked in the asiair ap settings but I only found the exposure time setting for the lights. Can you who have experience tell me something about this? Thank you for your helpful videos and response (I've only recently fallen in love with atrophotography)

[@jeffballphoto]

Hello Massimo. Thank you for watching and the kind words. I use à guide Star exposure of 1-2 seconds. I use the ZWO 30mm guide scope with a 120mm camera. The exposure time is set by clicking the exp button on the bottom right. The goal for auto guiding exposure is to not overexpose the stars. I look for star values below 100 in brightness. I hope this helps and thanks again. Clear skies!

[@anata5127]

Total 0.5-0.7” rms during guiding is excellent. Problem is numbers showing by ASIair is incorrect, and always exaggerated.

[@jeffballphoto]

You are correct.

[@hael8680]

Exaggerated in the sense of too high or too low?

[@anata5127]

@@hael8680 Too low. Interestingly, NINA does in opposite direction. For example, PHD2 shows 0.8”, ASIair 0.5” and NINA 1”.

[@hael8680]

@@anata5127 Do you use the AM5 with NINA?

[@anata5127]

@@hael8680 I don’t have AM5. I started with ASAir, but it did not last long. I use NINA, since only two items in my rig (camera and filter wheel) are from ZWO; and those soon be gone.

[@AhmedAlqallaf]

I'm using AM5 two weeks ago and I have a problem with my guiding it is always between 1.6-2.0. I tried to recalibrate many times but I don't know what's wrong with it. My guiding camera ASI120mini and ZWO 30F4

[@jeffballphoto]

Sorry to hear about the troubles. Are you using an ASIAIR? You may experiment with changing the guiding aggressiveness. How do the stars look?

[@AhmedAlqallaf]

@@jeffballphoto yes I using ASIAIR plus, the stats looks good for now because I'm using redact 51 it has focal length of 250mm so with that setup I don't have a problem, but with my ZN81 the stars is elongated little bit.

[@jeffballphoto]

@@AhmedAlqallaf that is good info. Many factors to consider, polar alignment, exposure time, cable management, guide scope focus. Wishing you the best with the longer focal length.

[@southbronxny5727]

I just hope the mount doesn't turn pinkish/magenta as some red zwo cameras have become because of the sun exposure.

[@jeffballphoto]

I always cover my scope/mount/camera during the day.

[@IIIRotor]

Landing that on the back side of the moon... AKA South Africa... Yikes... almost cheaper/faster to actually go to the back side and wait for delivery there...🤣