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Thread: Contrail Spotting in Poland

  1. #1
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    Contrail Spotting in Poland

    Hi Everybody,

    I would like to share with you some of my contrail spotting videos.
    That is the last one from which I am the most proud of:



    and here is the playlist of the rest ones:
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...5Gz8XE5HLghfO1


    Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a Blue Sky!
    Marek

  2. #2
    Senior Member gonzalu's Avatar
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    I susbcribe to that channel. Absolutely awesome stuff. Please share any details you can about how you go about doing this form of photography... equipment, etc. :)

    GReat stuff, thanks!
    Manny Gonzalez
    Thrust Images | General Photography | R.I.P. Matt Molnar 1979-2013
    BRING BACK THE KJFK/KLGA OBSERVATION DECKS

  3. #3
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    Insane. Keeping focus and tracking aircraft at 450mm? 500mm? Insane.

    Great work!

  4. #4
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    Thank you Manny and Ychocky.
    No, not 500mm. To be honest it is 3600mm and sometimes 8600mm (but the air has to be really clear and steady)
    The Skywatcher MAK150 which I use has a focal length of 1800mm and Panasonic GH2 has a crop factor of obout 2.
    Focus is controlled by a servo as I cannot touch directly the tripod head handle (in my case it is Vinten Vision Blue) - I use an old trick with a rubber band to control the telescope movement as well to avoid vibrations from fingers and hand.
    All the stuff should be carefully counterweighted - I am using now two 12V gel sealed batteries as the counterweights and electric power for external 7" monitor and motorfocus.

    If you have any questions I will try two satisfy your curiosity.

    One drawback of that equipment is that you cannot hide it into your pocket or even into a single bag .

    Cheers, Marek

  5. #5
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    Marek,
    Many thanks and welcome,
    awesome work amazing indeed,
    if i may ask what program and how to you manage to identify the airplanes passing overhead,

    Thanks

  6. #6
    Senior Member lijk604's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoPolo View Post
    Thank you Manny and Ychocky.
    No, not 500mm. To be honest it is 3600mm and sometimes 8600mm (but the air has to be really clear and steady)
    The Skywatcher MAK150 which I use has a focal length of 1800mm and Panasonic GH2 has a crop factor of obout 2.
    Focus is controlled by a servo as I cannot touch directly the tripod head handle (in my case it is Vinten Vision Blue) - I use an old trick with a rubber band to control the telescope movement as well to avoid vibrations from fingers and hand.
    All the stuff should be carefully counterweighted - I am using now two 12V gel sealed batteries as the counterweights and electric power for external 7" monitor and motorfocus.

    If you have any questions I will try two satisfy your curiosity.

    One drawback of that equipment is that you cannot hide it into your pocket or even into a single bag .

    Cheers, Marek
    Marek,

    The work is outstanding, and very intriguing. Can you take a phone video of the setup and how it works?
    I'd be very interested in seeing that.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by emk1219 View Post
    Marek,
    Many thanks and welcome,
    awesome work amazing indeed,
    if i may ask what program and how to you manage to identify the airplanes passing overhead,

    Thanks
    Thanks!

    Please remember that we have now that great application - http://www.flightradar24.com which was started by our Polish friend some years ago (just for Poland and Sweden at that time ):
    http://www.flightradar24.com

    As Android application it is really useful in the field (to not be surprised by the time and direction of an aircraft) but afterwards there is a clever playback mode of the site where you can find nearly all the planes you have photographed during past days (you need just the precise time of making a photo).

    Cheers, Marek

  8. #8
    Senior Member Zee71's Avatar
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    Fantastic video, and the last video in the sequence with the moon is outstanding!
    Mark
    Queens, NY

    My website: http://mbsphotography.smugmug.com
    My photos at: JetPhotos and ANet

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by lijk604 View Post
    Marek,

    The work is outstanding, and very intriguing. Can you take a phone video of the setup and how it works?
    I'd be very interested in seeing that.
    I have the pictures of the "prototype" version (with "passive" counterbalance and another controls of the focus):





    I will try on the first ocasion to make a video of the new setup.

    Marek

  10. #10
    Senior Member Kiffy's Avatar
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    Great videos! I love contrail spotting and have always wanted to get a telescope like that. Yours seems very advanced.

    This video is epic, great catch!

  11. #11
    Senior Member gonzalu's Avatar
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    Insane setup... I have to look more into it...
    Manny Gonzalez
    Thrust Images | General Photography | R.I.P. Matt Molnar 1979-2013
    BRING BACK THE KJFK/KLGA OBSERVATION DECKS

  12. #12
    Senior Member lijk604's Avatar
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    Marek,

    Very impressive setup! Thank you for sharing.

  13. #13
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    Hi All,

    It seems that this topic can be refreshed now :




    Enjoy watching!
    Cheers, Marek

  14. #14
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    Hi,

    I invite you to watch the third part:



    Cheers,
    Marek
    Last edited by MarcoPolo; 2015-04-19 at 04:01 PM.

  15. #15
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    Hi there again!

    Just a few overdue films:









    Enjoy watching!

    Cheers,
    Marek

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