BRESSER PM-100 StarTracker Astronomical Photo Mount Instruction Manual

BRESSER PM-100 StarTracker Astronomical Photo Mount

Safety Precautions

To ensure your safety, please read the following instructions carefully before use. To prevent bodily injuries or property damage,this instruction provides important safety information. Incorrect handling may cause injury to body or property.

• Max. Load Capacity: at Astronomical Mode : 5kg (C.O.G. height of 10cm from the turntable / less than 20kg • cm of moment load) at Time-Lapse Mode
• When the turntable and the ground are close to parallel: 5 kg
• When the turntable and the ground are close to peroendicular: 2 kg (2kg at C.O.G. height of 10cm from the turntable / less than 20kg • cm of moment load) use under above mentioned figures
• Depending on the position of the image equipment the C.O.G. even below the above mass, there are some configurations that are difficult to balance due to it´s shooting angle or total balance.
• Remove camera and other equipment from the unit whire transporting. Camera or other equipment may fall from the unit and cause bodily injury or property damage.
• To prevent injury or damage ensure your camera is securley attached and to tighten all screws.
• Also, spread your tripod legs as wide as possible for a solid foundation. Insufficient leg spread may cause camera shake and the tripod to fall over.
• Be careful running cable while providing driving power with USB cable. Hooking cable may result tripod flip over and equipment falling over.
• DO NOT use in the rain, dense fog, or in locations where the unit may get wet. Electrocution or equipment failure may result if unit is handled or operated in wet conditions.
• DO NOT apply any grease or oil to this product.
• It may cause product failure.
• If the movement of moving parts gets worse, please contact the dealer you purchased from or Slik Service Center.
• DO NOT mix new and used batteries. It may cause fluid leaks or equipment failure.
• DO NOT use the unit close to flames or leave in a hot car for a long time.
• DO NOT use the unit for any other purpose than photography.

Maintenance

For cleaning the unit, use only a clean soft cloth with mild detergent. Do not use organic solvents like paint thinner. Remove batteries from the unit when not in use for a longer time.

Parts Descriptions

Before Use

• About Test Shooting
  It is important that you test the unit with your equipment prior to an impor- tant project. Review the instruction manual thoroughly and ensure the unit is operating properly.

• About Shooting Contents
  Even if the results of using this product were not satisfactory, we are not compensate the recorded contents and expense related to the event.

About Mode
Refer page 7 to 1 1 for “Astronomical Photography Mode”, Page 12 to 16 for “Time-Lapse Mode”

Necessary Equipment for Shooting

•  E C H — 6 3 0
• Tripod A medium or larger tripod is highly recommended for best results. For connection with tripod, the unit accept either U 1 /4 or U3/8” screw. To connect the unit with U3/8, remove Double Screw Adapter from the screw thread.
• Head 1 / Head 2 (for astronomical photography) Head 1 is mounted on the turntable of the unit and set the composition of the shot Head 2 is placed in between tripod and the unit for astronomical pho-tography. It is used for adjusting polar alignment
• Camera / Lens / Recording Media & etc.For Astronomical Photography
• The camera should have a Bulb (B) function or exposure times that meet your needs.
• Wide-angle to medium telephoto lenses are recommended. Super telephoto lenses are not suit for astronomical photography. For Time-Lapse Photography
• A camera must have an interval photography (Time-Lapse) mode, or controllable by a special shutter release cord.
• Power
  Use four (4) AA Alkaline batteries (manganese and Ni-MH batteries can also be used), or mobile battery (with Micro USB cable) It is recommended you keep batteries warm in low temperatures for in-creased shooting time.

Useful Items

• Cable shutter release
  Pressing shutter button by finger may cause shaky image. A release with the timer function is useful.

• Headlight or flashlight
  Red light headlight or flashlight will reduce irritation to the eyes during astronomical photography. Turn off light during exposure to avoid reflections.

• A planisphere and smartphone app is useful to confirm the direction of constellations and position of the stars.

• A protractor and compass
  It is useful for polar axis setting. (it is required during the shooting in the Southern Hemisphere)

Install batteries

• Use four (4) AA Alkaline batteries (manganese and Ni-MH batteries can also be used) Make sure the power of the unit is OFF gently push the battery case lid slide the lid
• Insert the batteries following the direction guide. 2 batteries will be placed on both sides of the unit.
• DO NOT mix new and used battery.
• Put battery case lid back.

Powering the unit via USB cable
The unit can also be powered by external power supply such as mobile battery via Micro-USB connector. (more than 0.5A of current capacity)
The external power supply can be used while batteries are inserted into the unit. The external power supply will take precedence over the batteries.

• DO NOT use USB charger adapter.
• It will damage internal circuit. Be careful where you place the battery unit and cable to avoid tripping and knocking over your tripod.
• When connecting mobile battery to the unit via the USB port, we recommend that you install 4 pcs. of AA batteries to the unit.
• The unit requires a very low stream of power during its setting process. Some mobile batteries may not recognize this low stream and trigger their own internal “Auto-Off’ function to conserve their batteries.

Brightness Setting for Display Light
On the setting scr brightness setting. Brightness can be set freen upon powering up, press [▲om 1 to 20 when pr] once to access the essing [◀] [▶] buttons. Press [SET] button to confirm the setting. (The command will not execute without pressing [SET] button)

Illumination Time Setting
On the setting screen upon powering up, press [▲] twice to access the illumination time setting.
Illumination time can be selected when pr essing [◀] [▶] buttons.

• [ON]……… Light all the time
• [15 s]…….. Turn off after 15 seconds
• [30 s]…….. Turn off after 30 seconds
• After selecting illumination time, press [SET] button twice.
• (The command will not be executed without pressing [SET] button)

Optional Equipment

Micro Motion Head [MH-100] is highly recommended for astronomical photography. As Micro Motion Head [MH-100] is designed for use with the equatorial mount, polar alignment can be performed easily.

Shoot Astronomy

• Install the unit to the head firmly.
• When setting up the tripod, please make sure one tripod leg and the unit face north.
• Also, to prevent the tripod from falling over do no extend the tripod legs more than you need. When using a short tripod, please spread and extend each tripod leg as much as possible to prevent the tripod from falling.

Find Polaris

Polaris is a bright star that shines the north, and there are the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia in the neighborhood. To find the Polaris area; Locate two outer stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Just draw a line between these two stars and extend it out about 5 times, and you eventually will reach the vicinity of Polaris. There is a Polaris around five times the line connecting the star in the middle of the W and the intersection of the lines extended. Depending on the season, time, and place, one constellation may not be observed.

How to align Polar Axis (use peep holes)

In the Northern hemisphere, you can use peep holes to match the polar axis. Using indicator groove, point the head toward Polaris. Move the head so that the Polaris will come in the peep hole (L). Then, move the head to confirm Polaris is visible in the peep hole (S). For smooth and easy operation, optional Micro Motion Head [MH-100] is ideal product.

How to align Polar Axis (use compass and protractor)

Polar axis can be easily matched with commercially available compass and protractor. When aligning direction, align the direction of N with the orientation of the indicator groove of the main body when the direction of the magnetic needle is shifted to the deviation angle. When adjusting the latitude, place a protractor on the surface where the display window is located, and adjust the angle so that the latitude is on the observation site. Latitude and delination of each place, see data sheet on page 18.

Using in the Southern Hemisphere
When using the unit in the Southern Hemisphere, the compass and the protoractor are necessary to adjust polar axis

1. loose the two fixing screws of the turntable
2. remove turntable
3. turn a head mounting wing nut to securly install the pan head to the turntable.
4. put the turntable back to the main body and firmly fix the turntable with two fixing screws.

Mounting Camera

Before mounting camera to the pan head, make sure two fixing screws are firmly tightened. After mounting camera to the pan head, move the camera to the direction you want to shoot. Setting the East side of the unit (right side of the display window) become slightly heavier will reduce the influence of gear rattle (backlash)

Caution

Do not directly mount the camera to the turntable. It may damage the camera. The center of gravity of the camera does not need to be the same as the position of the mounting screw. If one side of the camera is too heavy, it may rotate depending on the angle. Use a commercially available slide plate to correct the center of the gravity of the camera.

Camera Setting

At first, set up the camera settings. (shooting mode, shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity and etc…)

• Shooting Mode, Shutter Speed
  Set the camera to Bulb mode.
  When the camera does not have a bulb mode, set shutter speed to more than 15 sec and try several test shots to find the optimum shutter speed.

• Aperture (F-number)
  Set iris at wide open (smallest F-number) or close the aperture one step.

• ISO Sensitivity
  Set ISO sensitivity to 400 or more.
  Depending on the camera model, raising the sensitivity may result in poor image quality due to noise.
  Try several test shots to find the optimum ISO sensitivity.

•  Auto Focus
  The auto focus function may not operate properly due to low light and lack of contrast. Set camera to Manual Focus and use viewfinder or live view mode for focus accuracy.

•  Image Stabilizing Function
  Turn off the image stabilizing function for best results.

For information about how to set up function and use the camera, please refer to the instruction manual for your camera.

Setting Example for Starry Sky Shooting

• Lens: Focal Length 11 to 20mm F2.8
• Camera: Digital SLR Camera
• ISO Sensitivity: 1600
• Exposure Time: 60 to 120 sec.

Indication of Lens and Exposure Time in [STAR] (Star Tracking Mode)

Above exposure time is a measure of the time taken to capture a star as a point image when capturing Polaris in the peep hole (S). Above figures may change according to polar axis setting and shooting condition. Trial shooting is highly recommended to obtain optimum setting.

Setting Example for Starscape Photography

•  Lens: Focal Length 20mm F2
•  ISO Sensitivity: 1600
•  Exposure Time: 5 to 20 sec.

Indication of Lens and Exposure Time in [1/2] (Starscape Mode)

Sec.

Above exposure time is a measure of the time when the scenery far from the ground does not trail. Above figures may change according to setting and shooting condition. Trial shooting is highly recommended to obtain optimum setting.

About Display Window

Switch Setting Screen

Main Unit Setting

As in the SUN T described in the Tracking, the Moon Star Tracking Mode, racking and the She setting tar items Farscape Mode.e the same ShorThe unit stt-cut or es the last setting when the power is turned off Tthe power to use the same settings as last time, porch, it will short-cut to the final confirmed [▼] setting automation SCeen on then turn on

About Running Screen

opera with manganese batting time is set assuming the use series or Ni-MH recharge alkaline vegetable batteries. Aries, the correct operation time is Also, evnot displayed. en alkaline b atteries, there are individual differences depending on the battery The display type and entire the operation mode selection will be [EQUonmental conditions, so please use the display time as an rATORIAL] ex eferencecept for the Time-Lapse Mode. The backlight turns off automatically.

Turn Off the Power

To turn off the power of the unit, turn off the power switation, turch. n off the power. Also, tThen, turn on the power swito change the setting while the unit is in operch and change setting.

Time-Lapse Shooting

Mounting on the Tripod

TMount the unit firo mount the unit tmly to the tripod. o the tripod with U3/8 mounting screw, remove the double screw adapter Tout fro prevom the scrent the tripod frew hole with a coin, scrom falling over ew, do not extdriver, etc. end tripod legs more than necessar y. Tcommero adjust the centcially av er oailable slide platf gravity o e.f the camera near to the center of the turntable, see

Attaching the pan head

1.  loosen the two fixing screws of the turntable
2.  remove turntable
3.  turn the head mounting wing nut to securly install the pan head to the turntable.
4.  put the turntable back to the main body and firmly fix the turntable with two fixing screws.

Mounting Camera

Beforfixing screws are mounting camera te firmly tighto the pened. Aftan head, maker mounting the e sure two ycamera tou want to the po shoot.an head, move the camera to the direction

Caution

Do not dirIt may damage the camera. ectly mount the camera t o the turntable. The center same as the position oof gravity of the camera f the mounting scrdoes ewnot . need t o be the If one side odepending on the angle. f the camera is t oo heavy, it may rotate center oUse a commerf gravity ocially avf the camera.ailable slide plate to correct the

About Time-Lapse Mode

• This time-lapse shooting. product can rotate at a constant speed for
• Several settings can be done with the unit will be explained below;
• ONE WAY (choose fr……………………….Rotatom continuous res in the selectotation or sted direction op at a set angle)
• SWING …………………………… Rotates in the select posted dire direction section, then r(continuous operation only)otates in the o angle with the rIn SWING mode, swing motion is rotation start position at the conformed at a seter. (ex. If SWING is set to 30 degrees the table turns 30 degrThen rotates 30 degrees in the specified degrees in opposition. e direction. It repeats its operation alternatively.)
• DirAlso, the direction of Rection rotation r …..notation, the clockwise (CW), Countotation angle, and the red clockwise (CCW) rotation speed can be set. Rotation Angle ……………..from 5 to 360° (5 increments), ENDLESS (only ONE WAY)  ENDLESS will continuously rotate in one direction.

Time-Lapse Rotation Speed Table

About Time-Lapse Shooting (Interval Shooting)

best results. Using the camera´s interval mode and a shutter release cable is highly recommended for Pressing the shutter button by finger will cause camera shake (interve and creatal shooting) to function when e blurred images. Use a commerour camera does not havcially available re a time-lapse functionelease with time-la

Approximate Minimum Shutter Speed

rotation and prSetting the shuttoduce reduced star trails. er speed higher than the suggest ed number will reduce blur caused by The setting conditions, so tf the shuttest shots arer speed may ve highly r recommended ty depending on the location and shootingo find the optimum setting.

About Display Window

ExtBatterernal Py V ower Suoltage(HIGH, MID, LOW)/

About Setting Screen Display of Time-Lapse Mode

of astrThe display ontological photons geography mode. f the setting screen for the last time-lapse mode differs from the one Set the unit referring following figure and the [◎ Main Unit Setting] column.

Short-cut
The unit stores the last setting when the power is turned off.
Twitch, it will short use the same setting as last time, pr-cut to the final confirmation screen [▼] setting button. on while turning on the power

About Running Screen

• opera with manganese batting time is set assuming use series, Ni-MH recharge alkaline beable batteries. Aries, the correct operation time is not displayed. Also, even alkaline and on the type and condition, so please use the batteries, there are
• individual differ display time as a reference dependence
• For the right of [TIMELAPSE]e operation mode display, [ONE WAY] or [SWING] is displayed to the
• The backlight turns off automatically.

Turn Off the Power

• To turn off the power of the unit, turn off the power switation, turch. n off the power.
• Also, then, turn on the power to change the setting while the unit is in perch and change the setting.
• UKCA Declaration of Conformity

Bresser UK Ltd. has issued a „Declaration of Conformity“ in accordance with applicable guidelines and corresponding standards. The full text of the UKCA declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www. bresser.de/download/4964130/UKCA/4964130_UKCA.pdf

Data Sheet

A Table for Latitude and Deviation Angle for Major Cities of the World

CITY| LATITUDE| MAGNETIC

DECLINATION

| CITY| LATITUDE| MAGNETIC

DECLINATION

---|---|---|---|---|---
Abidjan| 5.336° N| 4.72° W| London| 51.509° N| 0.46° W
Addis Ababa| 9.023° N| 2.28° E| Los Angeles| 34.052° N| 12.05° E
Alexandria| 31.228° N| 4.40° E| Luanda| 8.814° S| 3.5° W
Amman| 31.949° N| 4.67° E| Madrid| 40.422° N| 0.76° W
Athens| 37.974° N| 4.43° E| Manila| 14.601° N| 2.13° W
Auckland| 36.904° S| 19.75° E| Marseille| 43.291° N| 1.58° E
Baghdad| 33.332° N| 4.61° E| Melbourne| 37.81° S| 11.62° E
Bangkok| 13.731° N| 0.57° W| Mexico City| 19.411° N| 4.68° E
Barcelona| 41.385° N| 0.81° E| Milan| 45.471° N| 2.48° E
Beijing| 39.904° N| 6.84° W| Monaco| 43.739° N| 2.06° E
Beograd| 44.802° N| 4.67° E| Montevideo| 34.894° S| 10.64° W
Berlin| 52.524° N| 3.75° E| Moscow| 55.746° N| 11.04° E
Bishkek| 42.87° N| 5.37° E| Munich| 48.14° N| 3.11° E
Bissau| 11.864° N| 7.25° W| N’ Djamena| 12.105° N| 1.16° E
Bogata| 4.61° N| 7.26° W| New Delhi| 28.638° N| 1.2° E
Brazzaville| 4.281° S| 1.39° W| New York| 40.714° N| 12.92° W
Brussels| 50.837° N| 1.05° E| Nirobi| 1.274° S| 0.58° E
Bucharest| 44.43° N| 5.56° E| Ottawa| 45.412° N| 13.29° W
Budapest| 47.491° N| 4.7° E| Panama| 8.994° N| 4.41° W
Buenos Aires| 34.612° S| 8.91° W| Paris| 48.853° N| 0.57° E
Cairo| 30.065° N| 4.37° E| Perth| 31.933° S| 1.71° W
Calcutta| 22.544° N| 0.24° W| Phnom Penh| 11.559° N| 0.5° W
Cape Town| 33.925° S| 25.21° W| Plymouth| 50.379° N| 1.76° W
Caracas| 10.491° N| 12.31° W| Prague| 50.079° N| 3.92° E
Casablanca| 33.605° N| 1.85° W| Rio de Janeiro| 22.909° S| 22.77° W
Chicago| 41.85° N| 3.9° W| Riyadh| 24.640° N| 2.99° E
Christchurch| 43.524° S| 23.89° E| Rome| 41.899° N| 3.04° E
Colombo| 6.927° N| 2.13° W| Saint Petersburg| 59.952° N| 10.77° E
Copenhagen| 55.693° N| 3.66° E| San Jose (CRI)| 9.927° N| 1.74° W
Dakar| 14.687° N| 7.37° W| Sao Paulo| 23.581° S| 21.32° W
Damascus| 33.519° N| 4.86° E| Sarajevo| 43.856° N| 4.23° E
Dhaka| 23.71° N| 0.25° W| Seattle| 47.606° N| 15.76° E
Djibuti| 11.589° N| 1.91° E| Seoul| 37.532° N| 8.38° W
Dubai| 25.282° N| 2.48° E| Shanghai| 31.248° N| 5.93° W
Dublin| 53.342° N| 3.05° W| Singapore| 1.299° N| 0.21° E
Dushanbe| 38.565° N| 4.44° E| Skopji| 42.004° N| 4.54° E
Guatemala City| 14.625° N| 1.1° E| Sofia| 42.711° N| 4.9° E
Hanoi| 21.024° N| 1.46° W| Stockholm| 59.287° N| 6.11° E
Havana| 23.117° N| 4.91° W| Sydney| 33.892° S| 12.59° E
Helsinki| 60.161° N| 8.86° E| Taipei| 25.035° N| 4.43° W
Ho Chi Minh| 10.759° N| 0.47° W| Tbilisi| 41.71° N| 6.64° E
Hong Kong| 22.278° N| 2.84° W| Teheran| 35.696° N| 4.73° E
Istanbul| 41.066° N| 5.44° W| Tokyo| 35.681° N| 7.42° W
Jakarta| 6.212° S| 0.65° E| Toshkent| 41.305° N| 5.4° E
Jerusalem| 31.774° N| 4.64° E| Tripoli| 32.876° N| 2.63° E
Kabul| 34.528° N| 3.13° E| Tunis| 36.819° N| 2.39° E
Kiev| 50.454° N| 7.58° E| Ulan Bator| 47.921° N| 4.64° W
Kinshasa| 4.321° S| 1.39° W| Vancouver| 49.243° N| 16.29° E
Kuala Lumpur| 3.15° N| 0.04° W| Vladivostok| 43.125° N| 10.34° W
Kuwait| 29.329° N| 3.59° E| Warsaw| 52.245° N| 5.83° E
La Paz| 16.499° S| 7.93° W| Washington| 38.895° N| 10.87° W
Lima| 12.093° S| 1.81° W| Wien| 48.202° N| 4.23° E
Lisbon| 38.727° N| 2.4° W| Yangon| 16.784° N| 0.67° W

FAQ

Batteries do not get in

… when using batteries

… when using external power supply

| Battery exhausted| Replace with new battery
Battery is inserted upsi- de down| Check the polarity (+ and –) of the battery and insert batteries again in right direction
Lack of remaining battery| Charge external power supply
Cable is not properly connected| Check the direction and rattling of the cable and connect it correctly
Want to charge via USB| | Cannot be charged via USB cable
Want to set up the unit from PC via USB| | Set-up the from PC via USB is not supported
Backlight goes off| Backlight illumination time is too short| Backlight illumination time can be set at „15 sec.“, „30 sec.“ or „light all the time“. For setting details see page 7
Backlight brightness is too high or too dark| Brightness is not set up correctly| Backlight brightness can be selected in 20 steps. For setting details see page 7
Want to use the unit with a tripod with U3/8 screw| | Remove the adapter from the tripod mount on the bottom of the unit
Pressing the down button changes the mode arbitrarily| | Pressing the down button on the mode setting screen to switch to the previously set mode.

Pressing the up button will bring screen to

mode selection screen.

I do not understand what is being displayed| | For astronomical photography mode, see operation screen on page 12, for time-lapse mode, see operation screen on page 17
Setting can not be changed after operation| | Setting change is not possible while the unit is in operation.

Turn off the power and set it again.

Stars are blurred

| Correct mode is not selected| The programmed contents differ in each

mode. Select the mode suitable for the

purpose

Hemisphere is not correctly selected| Select the correct mode according to observation site
Misaligned polar axis| See page 8 and set the polar axis again
Exposure time is too long| Change ISO sensitivity and exposure time setting.
There is not solid connection to the tripod, the pan head or the camera| Tighten the screws and check additional connection points for any play
There is a play in the main body axis| | It is not abnormal as some play is necessary for the smooth movement of the gears

Product Specification

Max. Load Capacity

| at Astronomical Mode: 5kg

(2kg at C.O.G. height of 10cm from the turntable / less than 20 kg • cm of moment load)

at Time-Lapse Mode

When the turntable and the ground are close to parallel: 5kg

When the turntable and the ground are close to peroendicular: 2kg

(2kg C.O.G. height of 10cm from the turntable / less than 20kg • cm of moment load)

Head Mounting Screw| U 1/4
Tripod Mounting Screw| U 1/4 • U3/8 (remove double screw adapter)
Polar Axis Diameter| 17mm
Worm Wheel| made of duralumin outer diameter: 51mm gear teeth: 100
Worm Screw| made of brass         outer diameter: 10mm
Reduction Ratio| Inner: 1/91 Outer: 1/2.5 Worm Wheel: 1/100
Motor| compact bipolar stepping motor
Driver| constant current driver
Drive Frequency| [STAR]mode: at sidereal time [MOON] mode: moon average
Operating Temperature| -10°C ~ 40°C (No condensation)

Power

| 4AA alkaline batteries (AA manganese or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries can also be used)

DC5V (Micro-USB)

Battery Duration| about 20 hours (with alkaline batteries) (at [STAR] mode, 20°C, no backlight)
Power Consumption| about 100mA (at [STAR] mode, no backlight)

Please contact the service center first for any questions regarding the product or claims, preferably by e-mail. Number charged at local rates in the UK (the amount you will be charged per phone call will depend on the tariff of your phone provider); calls from abroad will involve higher costs.

• e-mail: service@bresseruk.com Telephone*: +44 1342 837 098
•  www.bresser.de
• Bresser UK Ltd
• Suite G3, Eden House Enterprise Way Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF

References

• Bresser | Startseite | Expand Your Horizon mit BRESSER
• Bresser | BRESSER StarTracker Astrofoto-Montierung PM-100 | Expand Your Horizon

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