Joe, I'm receiving two copies of all your emails. Am I the only one? Or are you sending out two? :) From the CC box it looks like you have a couple addys in there, but then my Outlook is not the best email client. :) Thanks, Cyn -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2003 11:02 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Cc: Utah-Astronomy@Lists.Xmission.Com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] RegiStax Hi, you might try converting the jpg files to bmps, then loading them. But the difficulty probably is in your digital camera. I had the same experience you did, using a Nikon D1 camera I borrowed from the Deseret News. I think the view is somewhat blown out by the camera's light, giving a false impression of the reality of the photos, when you take them at night with your eyes somewhat night-adapted. The best way to use Registax, I am convinced, is with a video. Many of the great Mars views I have seen were shot with little webcams. I bought a Logitech Pro 4000 web cam from Bes Buy -- they are about $100, but I got one for $90 as the package had been opened. The video files they make are made up of avi frames and Registax handles them amazingly well, providing much more detail in the final view than in any any individual frame. It improves the resolution greatly. To use it you have to have a PC or laptop, with Windows, connected to the webcam. If you don't have a laptop, you have to drag your PC out to the backyard so it can be plugged in. I think it's better to use an indoor outlet and extension cord than depend on an outdoor outlet, whose power supply might damage the PC. Also, to use the web cam you need either a Barlow scope or to remove the webcam lens. I think the latter is the better solution. It wasn't hard to take the lens out and reassemble it with the "eyeshade" or whatever it is, in place. Then you have to protect the chip from dust. I used electrician's tape to attach the webcam to my usual camara adapter. I haven't had good enough weather to try it with Mars yet. But the videos I shot with this setup are extremely encouraging, and they work well with Registax. Good luck, Joe On Fri, 15 Aug 2003, Barney B. wrote: _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy