u/deftone86

I am currently using a Z8 with a Nikon 100-400 z mount lens. I would like to start using the full 400mm but am worried about trails with my iOptron Skyguider Pro with a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Equatorial Wedge Base. It can be a chore to get really good alignment becuase when you tighten down the wedge it tends to move the alignment.

I am considering getting the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi and am wondering if it is worth spending the money to upgrade. Would it be easier to get better alignment with it? Also, if I was to get it is it worth getting their tripod with it?

I need some help figuring out how I can get better detail in the dust/rings of M31. I have two shots from the past weekend that you can see on this link:

https://tonylambert.smugmug.com/Astrophotography/2026-08-Hurley-Astro

These are the best I have gotten to date but I am hoping I can get even better.

For both I used a Z8 on an iOptron SkyGuider Pro. The first is with my Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro lens and the second is with my Nikon 100-400 at 265mm.

The first one is 40 images stacked in DeepSkyStacker with a 90 second exposure for each at iso 1250 and f/2.8

The second one is 20 images (the other 20 were wrecked by clouds) at a 120 second exposure at iso 2500 and f/5.0.

What do I need to do different to get a more detailed picture or is this the best I can expect? I have a few thoughts and wanted to get opinions if changing any of these would help.

1. I started the intervals when M31 was about 30 degrees above the horizon. Do I need to let it get further up to get less atmosphere in the way?
2. Related to before should I be waiting to do this when the humidity is lower?
3. Would increasing my shutter time and reducing my iso help or opposite?
4. Do I just need to use more zoom get closer to give it a better chance of getting details?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I recently upgraded from a D750 and D610 to a Z8 and Z5II. I was using a Nikon 20mm f/1.8 with my D750 for my astrophotography and my sometimes my 70-200 f/4 when I used my star tracker. I am looking for a mirrorless lens option for my Z8.

I am debating between the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S and the Viltrox AF 16mm. I know the Z8 will require a reduced shutter time then the Z750 because of the increased pixels so I was thinking the 16mm would help offset some of that reduction.

I was hoping people had recommendations or first hand experiences with either lens. Thanks in advance.

Is anyone else playing Starfield on an LG 5K2K monitor? I didn't have any issues playing at the beginning of the game but late game I am getting really low FPS, I can get it below 10 FPS, when I am on a planet. It seems worse when I am wearing my speedster suit and aerial boost pack.

l am playing on Ultra with a 4090, 13900K, SSD, and 64gb ram. I have the game capped in my Nvidia control panel set to 60 FPS. I am wondering if that is just too much monitor for ultra settings especially with how fast I can move with the upgraded suit and pack. The first time I played the game it was on a 4K monitor and didn't run into issues but I also didn't get nearly as far in the game.