I guess I won the draw. Ok you have up to 14 days to make a move we can post the results when done.

Hey the Pics are looking much better, Sirius!

Use MACRO setting for close ups and details
Make sure it's set to use the Maximum Resolution

Thanks Pawly. I'm so used to using 35m SLR's, it's taking a bit of time to get used to digitals. Thanks for the macro tip.

Hey Pawly, thank you. Macro really brings up the detail. Got a surprise this morning in the mail. I'm very impressed with the company's customer service. Received replacement Jupiter & Jovian Moons.



I don't suppose you have any good tips on how to avoid shadows?

No problem. Major improvement!

As for shadows, I'm no expert but I know if the light in the area your are photographing is sufficient then the flash
isn't necessary (I can see from the reflection in the "Sun" that you had the flash go off). Try turning on various
lights around your subject and experiment. That's the great thing about digital, no wasted film when trying to
get the perfect shot.

I hope you have an opportunity to capture some video of it in action when completed. I'll bet it's quite relaxing to watch.

HEY SIRIUS B
THE PICS DO LOOK MUCH BETTER. MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. PAWLY GAVE YOU THE RIGHT IDEA WITH A FEW LIGHTS AROUND IT.
WHEN USING THE MACRO SETTING, THE FLASH IS NOT FOCUSED FOR THAT CLOSE SO IT CAN CAUSE SHADOW PROBLEMS.
DON'T FORGET THAT MOST PHOTO AND PAINT PROGRAMS ALLOW YOU TO LIGHTEN ANY DARK PICS AS WELL WITH A COUPLE OF CLICKS. IN FACT YOU CAN FIX A LOT OF BOOBOO'S ONCE ITS IN THE COMPUTER. I USE THE MACRO SETTING FOR MODEL CAR PICS. TAKE A FEW PICS OF EACH SUBJECT WITH DIFFERENT LIGHTING TO SEE THE METHOD THAT GIVES YOU WHAT YOU WANT. THE MOST IT COSTS IS BATTERY POWER AND NOT LIKE FILM. IT DON'T HURT TO THROW AWAY THE BAD ONES.

Pawly & Zappdog, thanks guys. On last trip to London, purchased a 4gb SDHC card. Have been trying it out with video & the thing I like about the camera is the USB cable - it has 3 connectors, usb, audio & phono jacks. Tried plugging into tv & was gobsmacked.

When finally finished (should be feb 09), will set up all the planet calibrations & video it. Before then, will have to learn about setting up video on youtube. Still fairly busy here, so will tinder with it at the weekend.

After using 35mm for years & messing around with f:stops, iso speeds etc, I'm beginning to like digital

MY BROTHER WAS INTO PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AWHILE. HAD HIS OWN DARKROOM ETC.
I SPENT SOME TIME IN THERE AND LEARNED THE BASICS. THE EARLIEST PICS OF MY SON WERE TAKEN AND DEVELOPED BY MY BROTHER.
AFTER PLAYING WITH CHEMICALS, ENLARGERS, TIMERS, ETC, BOTH OF US LOVE DIGI.
I DON'T REALLY OWN A DIGI BUT MY WORK HAS A DECENT OLDER CANON THAT GETS BROUGHT HOME QUITE OFTEN.
WHEN I FIRST STARTING USING IT, I USED RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND TOOK LOTS OF PICS TO GET USED TO IT.
UNLIKE WHAT YOUR MOTHER USED TO TELL YOU AS A YOUNG LAD, "KEEP PLAYING WITH IT, IT ONLY GETS BETTER."

Hi guys, no photo this month. Received the latest delivery this morning. It completed the previous stage & started the next stage which is Saturn & it's Moons.

These were part of the delivery, but have to wait for the next delivery to be able to attach it to the column.

Also, have a bit of a poser. At the start of Stage 2, it was stated that there are 10 phases to be completed before starting stage 3 which is the motor.

Wth each phase being a planet, & there are 10 in total, with this current phase (6) & just Uranus & Pluto to go, what are phase 9 & 10?

Oh well, just have to wait for October's delivery to find out.

HEY YOU IRISH PADDIES !!!
I JUST HAD A BOX OF THE GOURMET BEANS FROM THE JELLY BEAN FACTORY.
MADE IN DUBLIN NO DOUBT. THAT WAS QUITE THE TASTE EXPERIENCE !
I AM NOT A JELLY BEAN FAN BUT I ENJOYED EVERY ONE OF THESE.
A DARN GOOD FAT FREE SUGAR FIX.

Saturn & Moons



Again, with this month's delivery, received Uranus, Moon & support arm, but will have to wait for next month's delivery to be able to attach it to column. Again, still puzzled by stages 9 & 10. Uranus is stage 7 & Pluto, the last planet will be stage 8 - I can't see what stages 9 & 10 will be as there will be no more room on the column & stage 3 is building the motor.

Received Uranus gears this morning. Looks great, only Pluto left, then onto the motor.



Finally found my tripod. No more shaky hands. Pretty sure that I have a mini-studio setup, just can't remember where I put it. Tried various places & lighting, but no joy. Really need to find that setup.

Looking great! What kind of dimensions? about 18 inches tall?

I'm gonna guess that the last delivery will be the feet and pedestal housing.

Wow that's huge! Very nice looking.

I guess you have to be patient to get this kind of project completed!

wow that looks fantastic !

Thanks guys. At the moment, it stands 11" tall. From what I can see from the 1st issue, the planets will be completed by issue 40 (currently on 35). That leaves 12 issues to provide the pedestal, feet & motor, so at a guess, I think that the very last part will be the motor itself.

When it comes to working on the pedestal & feet, I think it's going to take a couple pair of hands as believe me, it really is heavy now & Andrea had to help when I attached Uranus.

As Pawly said in a previous post, I think I agree with him - It really is going to be a facinating centrepiece in the lounge.

Next delivery should be on or around the 24th followed by the last planet delivery about 22/12/08.

Oooops, looks like I got it wrong. Just received the latest delivery which was Neptune. So Phase 9 will be Pluto & Phase 10 will be Eris. I knew there was only 10 planets, but since they reallocated the designations, they now include Ceres (Gas Giant) & Eris (Ice Dwarf), so it looks like the planets will be complete with the January delivery.

Neptune & Triton

I going to need to see some video of that thing in action when yer done Sirius!

That makes 2 of us... I can't wait to see it finished & working - Will set up lighting & tripod as I don't think my hands are steady enough.

S2 (P9)..........Pluto & Charon

HEY SIRIUS B
ITS LOOKING REAL FINE.
HOW MANY MORE TO GO NOW ?

Just one - Eris. Next delivery will be the gear arm to complete Pluto & half the pieces to complete Eris. Feb's delivery should complete Eris & the pedestal & March's delivery will be the final pieces to build the motor (it should be 14th March).

Estimated delivery dates for last 3 deliveries: -

17th Jan
14th Feb
14th March

Talk about keeping folks on the edge of their seat.

Planets now complete.

Eris



10 months since it started.........Time flys when you're having fun

You've gotta make a video when it's all completed and moving!