BENRO POLARIS - For Deep Sky Astrophotography? | REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Purchase a Benro Polaris here: bhpho.to/3WhWqTe
The Benro Polaris is a "smart" tripod head offering star tracking, automatic panorama features, and much more. In this video I try it out for deep sky astrophotography and talk about the pros and cons of this tripod head / astrophotography mount.
If you have been considering the purchase of a Benro Polaris, and you hope to do some deep sky astrophotography in the future, this is the video to watch!
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#astrophotography #polaris #tutorial - Наука та технологія
Software engineer here - using the home LAN hotspot to connect your phone app and your camera should be no more difficult than doing it via a SIM card (GSM), which I believe this also supports. The only difference of cause being the range of what you get over the phone network as opposed to your local WIFI hotspot.
What needs to happen technically is the same. So this should most definitely be solvable in firmware. It requires the hardware to be fast enough to do encryption of the traffic (which I hope it already does standalone) in order to connect to at least a WPA2 type. At this pricepoint - this should be no problem.
I hear others say you must add a SDCard for this device to work at all. At this pricepoint I think you could expect the device to have enough internal fixed storage to avoid this. Also - why would you take photos to the sd card in the tracking stand when your camera, in the case of the Fujifilm T4 has dual high speed sd slots?
I find the USB hack you did creative, but it is very strange it makes any difference. Did you try a different USB-C cable entirely from what was in the box?
Upset. They sent you one to review and I’ve been waiting for mine for what seems like forever.
I can confirm... no issues so far with Nikon gear (D800 or D850). I have the astro/cell version. I'm really liking this unit so far with my testing/use, although the software/firmware is still maturing. I too would love to know where that manual you got came from. None was included, neither printed or PDF, with the units sent to us backers (#680 here).
My reason for backing this project and wanting one is... it does far more than your average star tracker, mainly helps with panorama shooting. Nice to have a unit that can do multiple jobs.
My tips... (1) make sure your mount is perfectly level to the ground & on a stable tripod and (2) use a decent app on your phone (like SkEye or Sun Surveyor) and calibrate your phone's sensors (GPS and compass) before you perform the goto in the Polaris app. The more accurate the phone is, the better the result of the tracking.
IMHO a possible solution to the zenith issue... have a setting on the tracker that permits a physical 45 degree wedge to be used, so the unit "knows" it is tilted 45 degrees and can cover the zenith. Of course that means another portion of the sky can't be covered, but you can set that based on the direction the mount faces at initial setup... again, the app could know that up front.
BTW... I agree 100% on the ability to join a local WiFi network and not have to connect via PTP WiFi (to the phone). It would work just like the cell version does, but use WiFi when available and not incur cell data charges.
You can enter Messier names for goto functionality; ie M42 will take you to the Orion Nebula without needing co-ordinates.
Thanks for an excellent in depth review of the new Benro Polaris. BTW, I use the fantastic Benro 3-way geared head, so I appreciate their quality.
As a beginner astrophotographer (Milky Way) I use the Move-Shoot-Move star tracker, which is the lightest and most compact star tracker. But has its limitations (weight of long tele lenses, accuracy over time), and it requires some add-on gear required for polar alignment, so it us no longer a compact- but clumsy, complicated and time consuming to set up. Aside from the cost (approx $500 with all add-ons) it takes me minimum 30-45 minutes to set up and start shooting. it has no smartphone interface and I still have to buy the 90 degree right angle viewfinder for the polarscope. the MSM is like a DIY kit, assembled in a garage.
Aside from its cost, the Benro Polaris, as your mentioned, seems like the panacea for beginner-intermediate users.
Can you demo how this works for Milky Way photography? Or at least how it would work, considering at the time of this video release, it is past Milky Way season in N.A.
It would work great! Basically everything I was critical of in this review becomes a non-issue. For Milky Way, I highly recommend it. With that said I probably won’t make a dedicated video on using it for MW as that’s not something I’m particularly good at 😀
@@forestchaput there are a lot of questions on that. Does it creates a mosaic/panorama of tracked milky way shots? (Whats also useful for DSO). It's pretty much different of just choosing areas of the sky since a mosaic would not only auto move it keeping intersections but also without rotation between framing
Hi, thanks for this post. One question: where did you find that manual? I was purchaser #65 of a Polaris unit, Astro version but have never seen this manual, nor heard of it, not even in the dedicated Facebook group. Thanks for your reaction.
That manual you show hasn't been provided to backers, even as a PDF download. Most of the non-astro functions of the Polaris app are either of little value (you don't need a robotic head to do focus stacking or people removal) or they work poorly. The panorama function is okay within the constraints of a mechanism that can't be corrected for parallax on one axis. Path lapse links straight line segments of travel with no option to curve travel or ease point transitions. Camera support is inconsistent. Benro uses an open source control library, and the supported camera list provide by Benro is incorrect. Benro has released the head to retailers but still has yet to put heads in the hands of all the backers who invested years ago. I've had mine since December 2021 and don't consider the software or support to be ready for retail. Benro's sending these out for review by people interested in just the tracking features. Note that the astro attachment is an option. There aren't many goto targets bright enough that you could find and center them via the app. And the focusing controls via the app are inadequate for precision focusing. The folks who've been posting for months at the Facebook group use the camera's focusing tools to manually focus - disconnected from the app. I personally have zero interest in deep sky photography. Wide field astro is my only use that would leverage tracking. I don't think we'll be seeing reviews from folks who aren't exclusively about deep sky...at least not with the lousy state of the other functions. Potential buyers beware that the short astro unit cable is NOT a standard USB cable. It's a custom Benro cable. The camera cables provided have shown to be vulnerable to damage.
Which is exactly what I'm having trouble with now Sept, 2023, all of the above as well as the App no longer connects to the Polaris
Great review. Very useful. Big Benro fan and I didn't even realize this mount existed. May be a good addition to my MSM tracker - certainly seems more sturdy. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching!
An outstanding review, and definitely not too long. Comprehensive and thorough. Thank you so much for pulling this together. I already own the Polaris, but this has helped give me a heads up about to be prepared because I am going to use it to track the Sun for the Solar eclipse in April, 2024. The Zenith problem is concerning to me, but it looks like in Killeen, Texas it won't quite be at the Zenith during totality. Like I said, I'll be prepared because of you, many thanks.
Thank you and Good luck!
I had the same USB C cable problem and solution with my Polaris. Chalked it up to a defective cable, but now you are making me think it might be something else.
Awesome vid!
Glad I could help
where can we get this Manual. My Polaris came without it. Cant find any similar on the internet.
btw. great review
A very interesting video ( sadly I only saw it late on ). One point I would make. You said that at the zenith, it stops tracking. Does it ? I have had experiance with some astromounts that due to mechanical limitations become blocked, but the motors keep running. In many cases of cheaper mounts, and despite its cost, this falls into the cheap category, they often have worm gears that under these conditions become damaged. I doubt this mount has a friction slip drive, where the motor just runs but there is no damage done.
It does stop tracking to prevent damage to the motors.
@@forestchaput thanks for the info. That’s good news
Thank you for such a great review, and very helpful insight. The Benro mount looks really interesting, but for such a high price it has way too many short comings. For the £1100 price in the uk i would expect it to have much better camera support, Have much better star catalogs or at least have the ability to link to a 3rd party app like Star Safari etc. The 1 star alignment is also really poor, i would expect a minimum of 3-star alignment or ideally plate solving. Lastly i would expect to be able to image at the Zenith.
It has so much potential, it's just a shame that the Astro imaging side feels like an afterthought rather than something they have consciously thought about. Hopefully in a later V2 revision of the hardware, they will be able to overcome all these limitations where i will gladly hand over my cash.
This is so real. I have run into so many niggling issues with the Polaris. The range limitation is a big one. And anything pano YUCK is another
Thanks for this very informative video .... any thoughts on providing an update since Benro really hasn't put out any new videos ( I suspect waiting for Theta Release ) ???
Very cool video. Please do more of these. I am new to this tool. I would be very interested to see a start to finish shot of the Milky Way with this tool and also a simple deep space (Andromeda for instance). I am definitely not comfortable for instance with the steps involved following the initial alignment. Thank you
Thank you for your review. This is of great interest to me. Star adventurer GTi is another option for consideration. As a beginner for deep sky, Polaris seems easier, adventurer GTi seems to have more capability if I can learn to sight it in.
I agree. I own both and would recommend the GTi to someone who knows they want to dive deep into astrophotography, and the Polaris so someone who is mostly looking for Milky Way with a bit of deep sky astro.
@@forestchaput - very helpful.
I agree with your last point about the device connecting to the local Wi-Fi.
Also, since the documentation is absolutely awful, could you kindly produce videos that shows step-by-step guys for each of the shooting modes?
Hi Forest, Thanks so much for a great review. I've clicked the link to purchase the Benro Polaris Astro Edition 3-Axis Smart Tripod Head. Hope you get credit. I really appreciate you mentioning shooting the Zenith. This is good to know and will keep a watch on this. Would you recommend buying the tripod you mentioned? I have a Nikon Z 7ii camera. Do I need a separate memory card for the Benro Polaris?
Thank you so much! Yes, you will need a memory card for the Polaris. I love the tripod I used in this video. It's my go-to for almost everything.
Great review. Still need to learn more about this gear. As a supporter of the original Benro project on Kick start, I wish they would have come out with some kind of manual for us rookies. But since I am still waiting for my Polaris to arrive, I guess I'll be patient for a little while longer. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch any and all videos about the Polaris.
Thank you for the review. I was wondering if it works if you are in a place that has no phone or internet reception? Thanks
I have the same question as some of the best areas for astrophotography have absolutely no internet or phone connection.
With all the comments here and around it seems best to wait a year and check again on this to see if they will have fixed the many issues. I saw another video shot of the moon and there was some pretty nasty jitter. Disapointing since the hw seems of good quality. Also, I saw on the kickstarter page that there are apparently grounds for legal action if you're a backer around non-disclosed shipping fees and in general for failing to deliver to backers and it's already in stock and B&H. If you're a backer, check the comments there.
You mentioned the possibility of an upcoming 2 star alignment process. What Firmware or Software levels do you expect that in, and what were the levels of each at the time of your video. Lastly, do you plan an updated video?
Great questions! I have no idea if a 2-star alignment is even in the works. I hope so though! I'm not sure which firmware version I was using in the video. Unfortunately no, I don't plan on making an updated video.
Thanks for that review.
One question I couldn't find any answer to: Do I have to keep my phone on and connected for hours to track a star or will the Benro run autonomously after beeing programmed?
Got my Polaris and in case anyone is interested: yes, it keeps tracking even when the phone disconnects.
In addition the answer to the USB converter is: the polaris needs to be the USB host and the camera the USB device. Unfortunately benro seems to have forgotten a resistor on the USB circuitry and therefore you need to plug in an USB OTG adapter bringing the Polaris to the 'host' role of the USB connection. The USB-A port on that OTG adapter is then the host connector (like a PC) for the camera, forcing you to use an USB A to C cable.
I hope that helps someone.
Great feedback for the Zenith hop. Love this but a bit on the pricy side for a "specialized" device such as this.
Great review! Really thorough.
Much appreciated!
You mentioned at the very beginning of the video that you have the fancy leveling head. Why not just point that head 10-20 degrees back to give the polaris a helping hand in getting to 90 degrees?
Hi
Cannot connect Canon EOS R6 to Benro Polaris - any solution or advice? Thank you.
Can the Polaris be used for the solar eclipse next month?
EXcellent! Do you know if Benro is working on a new version? (I would like to buy one but not if a new one is coming)
I'm not sure! I have this one for sale though if you're interested. It's at a pretty nice discount! shop.rmsp.com/products/benro-polaris-astro-edition
@@forestchaput Thanks, I have just purchased it new with a discount. You do not like it?
12:40 that's a bummer.. imaging at zenith is the best way to have more contrasty images (less light pollution). I guess I still prefer my old AZ GTI eq
Great review! I’m deciding between either the Polaris or the star adventurer GTI. I use a canon 7Dmkii mainly with my 100-400ii lens which I currently mount on my AZ-GTI and use in AZ mode and quite enjoy the goto feature. Between the star adventurer and this, which do you think is the better option for my setup? Are there any other portable goto mounts that I can use with my camera and lens? Thanks!
I am considering these two as well right now. What did you end up with? I am just starting deep sky astrophotography so still researching and learning.
@@didimoser778 I actually chose neither! I got the ASIAIR and a counterweight for my az-gti and that works way better in my opinion. I already had the AZ and the Asiair cost less than the SA-GTI. If you have no equipment at the moment, the id probably say the SA-GTI. The Polaris is not great for its price as I asked someone who has experience with it and they said that at long focal lengths, you’d exposures cannot be very long
Within 2 minutes of exposure, there is no smearing in the starry sky, and the smearing will gradually increase beyond this time. There is very slight smearing at 3 minutes and 4 minutes, which is almost invisible without zooming in, and it is still within the usable range. After more than 4 minutes, the degree of tailing will be significantly enhanced, and it is recommended not to exceed 4 minutes during use.
That depends on your focal length. With something over 200mm you would be lucky to get 60 seconds without trailing.
Great review, thank you
Hi Forrest, do you have a more recent review of the Benro Polaris?
Unfortunately we do not :(
I noticed at the 5:27 min of the video you are calibrating the Polaris and have your phone pointed in the opposite direction of the camera. Is this correct or should the phone be oriented the same as the camera?
Just wondering if using a Z bracket so you can point your camera straight up while the Polaris is somewhat level would solve the issue of pointing to the Zenith.
Yeah, I do have problems on Nikon Z5. I used the TypeC to TypeC cable but nothing happened. Does it require some extra settings from the camera? Or shouls I try using TypeA to TypeC?
Great info, very easy to follow !!! Did you do any test on wide field Milky Way, say with a 14-20mm lens, what is the longest exposure time you can use with this guy without seeing any star trail? Thanks.
Within 2 minutes of exposure, there is no smearing in the starry sky, and the smearing will gradually increase beyond this time. There is very slight smearing at 3 minutes and 4 minutes, which is almost invisible without zooming in, and it is still within the usable range. After more than 4 minutes, the degree of tailing will be significantly enhanced, and it is recommended not to exceed 4 minutes during use.
Thankyou for your review. Presently use a xt3 and doing Milkyway panoramas. Looking to upgrade to a xt5.
Also have been considering the benro polaris to do Milkyway and get into deep sky.
Maybe I hold off for the updates to firmware.
Also interested in modifying my old xt2 for astro. Based in NZ so light pollution is not a problem. Any suggestions welcome.
Hi, interesting video and quite honest too! I would like to use a Benro Polaris Astro Edition with a telescope for Deep Space photography, could I use it?
You could, but the limitations of pointing at zenith will be frustrating.
Please help me. What's the best for portrait. Canon RF 85 f2 macro or Samyang RF 85 f 1.4 .
I just bought the head with the Astro feature. I have a Nikon Z72 and a Nikon Z7 I cannot get the app to recognize my camera, despite connecting to a USB-C or or USB see adapter to a USB A. I’ve been in talks with Polaris about what could be the issue so far no one knows any ideas or help so that I can get the Polaris app to finally see my camera? It connects to the head it just gives me a message that it doesn’t see my camera
Would not a de-leveled tripod work for straight above your head photography?
Nope. The Polaris wouldn't be able to calibrate without a level base.
if I follow your review and limitation for zenith shooting and what the cause is, the knobs, could or would a solution be possible if the astro add-on knob would be at the opposite side? Any idea if this is under review with Benro as a possible hardware change.
It could be. Not sure. That might limit the cameras ability to point near the horizon though.
I'm on the fence about this Polaris purchase. Will this head do a "tracked" astro pano.. ie. multi frame milk-way shots or anything else in the night sky. ....Can you run one sequence for the foreground and then a second longer pattern for the sky?
I do giga pixel projects ... I've got a janky setup using MSM and SyRP but the load limit on MSM is 6lbs,,,, none of it is meant to work together and it's a pain in the ass. At this point on a canon R5 and sigma Art 85mm along with all the other crap it takes to jury rig up a solution I'm just over 8lbs total. I need something I can lock onto Polaris and get at least 2min exposures at 35-105mm. I don't want to go down the astro mount rabbit hole if i can avoid it. I don't do alot of DSO just night panos..
I'd really like to get down to one setup that does the job of tracking while allowing me to shoot giga panos.
Good job, thanks.
Has there been any update on the promised 2 star alignment or any updates on expanded astro catalogs ?
I’m actually not sure. I haven’t used the Polaris since the fall (we don’t get many clear nights in the winter/spring in Montana). I would check the Facebook group for the Polaris for more information.
You left out something you promised to do - talk about field rotation.
Great review/ What would you recommend to someone who already has a tracking mount like the skyguider pro? Is finding the object in this case (and alignment) worth spending over 1.1K?
I would say no. Instead I would spend that money on a Astro modified camera or even a new small telescope like a William Optics RedCat if you’re really into doing more deep sky photography.
@@forestchaput Thanks!. I actually just modified a canon 1200D myself to full spectrum. I intend to use it with Rokinon 135mm F2.
That’s going to be a great combo with the SkyGuider! 👍
Having a very level tripod is extremely critical for think to work properly, at least for astronomy.
I have read conflicting information and I am unsure what to do: Should the tripod itself be level? Or the Polaris with the astro attachment? Or the camera on the astro attachment? Do you know?
Very nice video. I got mine few days back and tried to use it. It is pointing to completely different direction! 😫
I hope it is not an issue of the mount and I am doing something wrong. I will try again with some more clear sky.
i think you did the calibration wrong - i believe that when you hold your phone to the mount, you need to point your phone to opposite way, i.e. point it in the opposite direction your lens is facing. i saw that reported on a youtube video
@@wafflefreetech7062 Indeed. I saw that as well. Very important detail that is not obvious and not documented! 😔
Even though for last few days we didn’t see the sky; hopefully I can test it today.
@@AMPhotography I will be very interested to see how you get on as the product seems to get very mixed views. I have seen some people praising it and others describing it as garbage. Some say they can get 2-3 mins without stars elongating and others say they can barely get 60s exposures.
@@wafflefreetech7062 Will let you know once I manage to test my one properly. Only if I get some clear sky.
Hopefully you like using it! I know I did (despite the few limitations).
Thanks!
So a year later and non of the software features have improved. No 2/3 star alignment, very limited object library. The idea behind this mount was good but between being late on delivery, actual features promised in the original kickstarter (built in gps for example for all models, not only sim versions) and general lack of any new improvements for a long time it seems like Benro just gave up on further development and just moved on to the next kickstarter product.
Forrest very nice review. Tell Neil hi, from Roger Munro
Will do Roger!
Smaller knobs?
That price tag is way too expensive and can not even do polar align accurately. only 60 sec exposure accuracy does not worth it. We would stick with the ordinary star tracker which is a lot cheaper and can get 2-4 mins exposure easily. Thanks a lot for this video.
Glad you received value from this video!
Can I use the Sony FE200-600 with A7r4 on the Benro Polaris safe?
4:47 cat tracking ?
:o)
I believe you also cannot autoguide with the Benro.
True!
The more I watched this, the more i liked it, then I realised the camera's in focus and you aren't.......4 mins 30 seconds
ESTAFA pagado en agosto, no lo mandan y no contestan correos, peligro
Also remember, this thing is expensive and can barely hold a camera, very limited pay load.
Pay load is 7.5kg. I use my Nikor z9 with 400/2.8 and TCs without any issue.
@@kwongwt I know this is an old comment, but what length exposures are you able to get? I'm looking at getting the Polaris Astro for my Z9 & 180-600 lens as an upgrade over my iOptron Sky Guider pro for a smaller package.
Way over priced it should be half this price
It might be! I think it's perfect for some photographers though.