Fundamentals and WPBB

Phil Arnold

Hi Adam,

Going through the Fundamentals and got to WPBB. What sequence of videos plus YouTube videos do you recommend today to get the basics plus the many updates? It is a bit confusing. It looks like Pixinsight WBPP is up to 2.3 now. The Fundamentals video was done with 2.0 and then off to the updates.

This must be a moving target for you.

What order do you recommend?

Thanks

Phil

BlockHead

The WBPP videos on the site are identical to those on YouTube (I believe). I would still recommend going through them in order. The changes are incremental- and as you see it evolve in the videos... you will better understand what is point of things in the latest version. 

If after going through them starting with 2.0, you do not agree and you think an update is in order...let me know!

-the Blockhead 

Phil Arnold

Hi Adam,

Yes I do think a 2.3 FastTrack update is in order. As I understand it, the idea with FastTrack is to get a new user up and running with minimum fuss as quickly as possible, and that worked great until you get to FASTTRACK No 5 and WPBB. You can't use the 2.0 tutorial with WBPP 2.3 that is available now. So the alternative is to work through the 16 YouTube videos to update to 2.1, and then the additional 2.2 WBPP videos. 

I may be wrong here, but it looks like you are recommending dark flats now for the "average" user rather than bias frames. The Fast Track WBPP is then using the exception for a well behaved camera rather than the 'normal' work flow. That seems backward.

That's no longer 'Fast' if you don't know what you are doing - which is why you buy the FastTrack plan in the first place.

So, yes, in my opinion, if it is to remain a Fast Track plan, it needs an update.

Not trying to be critical - I love your style of instruction. Just responding as a newbee that has a long way to go.

Phil

BlockHead

Thanks Phil. You point about the WBPP updates is valid and well taken.

(It really was a moving target in 2020/2021)

Your comment about flat darks is not quite right.

The problem is there exist really lame cameras that many people that are jumping into the hobby are using. Bias frames *are the correct thing to use* unless you have a crappy camera. BUT- there is no harm in matching darks until you figure it out. So I am actually showing the absolute correct thing and minimizing the number of issues that many first time users run into it. Cloudy nights, Facebook...etc are filled with pages and pages of the same conversation about this... all because of a handful of crappy cameras. 

The problem is ... the entire conversation about this is nuanced. FastTrack users do not want explanations. This was the point- "Adam, don't explain...just show me..." Then after watching FastTrack, hopefully they want more.... 

Finally, again the nuance... a Bias IS A DARK FRAME... it is just a dark that contains the electronic signature of the bias level, amp glow and whatever else is going on. The only difference between a Bias and "Dark Frame" in usage...is that a dark frame contains some dark current in addition to the bias level (extra electrons that accumulated with time).

-the Blockhead

Phil Arnold

Thanks Adam. Appreciate all your work. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Phil Arnold

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the Fast Track WBPP update!  Much appreciated.

BlockHead

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