Videos » Complete guide to Star Adventurer Mini (S.A.M.)
12 Dec 2021
The Star Adventurer Mini, or SAM, is a portable system that attaches to your tripod and camera to allow you to take extremely long (such as 60 seconds to 5 minutes) exposures without star trails. In this video I explain how it works, show you how to set it up, provide examples and share tips like using your own software and polar alignment.
Complete guide to Star Adventurer Mini (S.A.M.)
Video guide:
- 00:53 Tracked vs. untracked exposures
- 01:54 What’s in the box
- 02:37 What it looks like assembled
- 02:49 How it works
- 03:50 How to assemble
- 06:06 Connections and power
- 06:59 Power and WiFi indicators
- 07:14 WiFi options
- 07:51 Manual control of the motor
- 08:20 Astrophotography settings
- 08:55 Tip: keep motor running while controlling the camera with other software
- 09:53 Installing the declination bracket
- 11:39 Astro-timelapse settings
- 12:40 Framing using a ball head (or trigger) adapter
- 13:16 Regular (daytime) time lapse photography
- 14:29 Polar clock utility
- 15:17 Installing the polar scope
- 16:42 How to orient the tripod for polar alignment
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