u/theraphosa

I'm pulling the trigger on a base 2009 LT3/Z51 with 86k miles. First thing she needs a replacement for a leaking seal on the differential, as well as worn rear brake pads and rotors. The shop manager suggested I get ceramic pads for her instead of the stock pads. Sounds like an upgrade, to cut down on the brake dust, but is there a downside to them?

Been looking for a while now and finally found one, 8 miles away. 2009 C6, 83k miles, 7 previous owners. The color and options I want; heated seats, HUD, BT. Just hate the champagne interior. Figure I can recover seats and get new floor mats.

No maintenance records on Autocheck, but no recorded accidents either. Seems decent for $25k, am I rushing into it? Planning on a test drive next week then a PPI.

I've been gradually working into DSO Astrophotography from my wildlife photography. I've been using a D850 and a 300mm f4 lens with decent, but not extraordinary, results. I did purchase a StarWatcher EQ-AL55i goto mount and an ASIAir mini controller to make tracking, polar alignment and targeting a bit easier. I'm starting to get more comfortable with my Siril workflow and feeling a bit more confident about the whole process.

Now, I'd kind of like to think about moving up to a dedicated Astro camera and a refractor astrograph. I'm trying to decide whether to get one of the ZWO Air cameras, which would effectively put me into the ZWO product line for the foreseeable future, or go with some of the other options, like Svbony.

I realize there is likely a financial cost to going with the more streamlined ZWO ecosystem. It seems to really work well for a lot of YouTubers, but I don't believe that everything you see on YouTube is the experience that I might have with those same products. I have noticed that a lot of the posts on r/astrophotography come from ZWO products, do you all find them worth the price differential for that streamlined workflow?

https://preview.redd.it/6ylmz3t2029h1.jpg?width=1643&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fe68e23e81742383f3c0be7cbef562fbe309c81

A photo I took this morning. I was using a Nikon D500, a Nikon 500mm PF, and a Kenko 1.4X. The focal length for this was 700mm. 1/320, f/8, ISO-100. Tripod mounted, process in Lightroom Classic and the image was also run through Topaz Sharpen. The solar filter was constructed by me using certified solar safe mylar film.
Zooming in, you can see the details of granular surface of the sun's photosphere, as well as a few sunspots. My question is what causes the blurring around the edges of the sun. Was it an artifact of the camera lens, or did I cause it with my post processing?

https://preview.redd.it/5kzbel91hu7h1.jpg?width=1617&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d197dacbe6de52b5a72df61f61d21812b4f37ec5

Eventually, I'd like to try some time lapse of sunspot activity. This was done using a certified solar film filter that I assembled myself. I'm pretty happy about the surface detail.
Nikon D850, Nikon 500mmPF, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO-64, tripod mounted, processed in Lightroom

I've been a photography enthusiast for a really long time and I've long been fascinated with astrophotography. In the past, I've taken some star, moon and Milky Way shots but now that I'm retired I want to really step up to deep space objects. I just ordered a Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i Pro Mount that I plan to grow in to as my gear gets better. Right now I'm going to use a Nikon D850 with a Nikkor 300mm f/4 PF prime lens. My question is should I use my Godox wireless intervalometer, the internal intervalometer of the camera, or cable the camera to the mount and use the Sky-Watcher software?

I typically use the Godox so I can stay hands-free, even if I have change something on the fly. However, I can see how the Sky-Watcher app might be able to avoid slewing the mount in the middle of an exposure.

Also, in the past I've had to use short exposures to avoid star trails, how long should I set exposures for this set up? Eventually I plan on a dedicated astrograph, camera and guide scope, but as a beginner I wanted to start with a decent mount for my current equipment. I'd rather get familiar with the mount before I start getting into new optics.

https://preview.redd.it/vwyyubpr7j2h1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d6ec027005f4408072a0b939f3936d5fea988c0

I'd like to maintain the original box and straps in pristine condition, not that I ever plan on selling it, but I would prefer a metal strap. I've seen on eBay and their website that NY Watch has a metal strap for $29. I also saw on Islander Watches website that they have a metal strap for $129. Does anyone know if there is really a hundred dollar difference in fit or quality between the two, Or is there a better place to get one? All I saw on the Bulova website was leather straps. Thanks!

Much better experience this time, was much less rushed, and I spent far more time on exploring and interacting. Got all of the "evidence" slates, and and it made a significant difference at the end. Spent a lot of time exploring the Legacy, and it was a better, more moving experience. Think I may wear the Legacy Captain's hat for the rest of the game. Highly recommend taking your time through it all.

I don't think I can make it any more powerful. All my weapon skills are at max. A sneak attack headshot kills just about anything I've found.

And as a bonus, it totally looks badass.