M8 & M83 taken from Heathcote, Vic with 12.5"

[John K]

Hi guys,

I am daring to post in the DS section of IIS (and not the Solar System!) so go easy on me as I am still using a DSLR that is 9 years old which admittedly in modified.

Had a great night out at the ASV's Leon Mow Dark Sky site at Heathcote (Vic) and here are the results from a night's work:

M83
29 x 5 min (2h 45mins) at ISO1600 with darks, flats and bias frames. Processed in Deep Sky Stacker and CS3.
Link to higher res:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnka...ream/lightbox/

M8
37 x 3 mins (1h 51mins) at IS0 1600 with darks, flats and bias frames
Link to high res:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnka...ream/lightbox/

Considering the OSC and uncooled element of my gear, I am happy with the results, but I am only a planetary guy still coming to terms with the amazing DS shots most of you post here.

Both images taken with an NGT 12 12.5" f/5 scope and modded Canon 400D.

Comments welcome and clear skies.

John K.

[mbaddah (Mo)]

John these are spectacular! Can't believe you achieved this with just a modded 400D. Well done.

[John K]

Originally Posted by mbaddah

John these are spectacular! Can't believe you achieved this with just a modded 400D. Well done.

yeah, thanks, especially for nebulas I think a modded DSLR really delivers.

A slightly lesser crop of M83 with an adjusted colour scheme also attached with high res here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnka...ream/lightbox/

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Great results John!

I like the un-cropped M83 slightly better than original post.

Well done.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Nothing wrong with these two images I like M83 ,you cant beat a good DSLR shot
AL

[John Hothersall]

From Mars to Messiers. Winning results you can't beat Newtonians for versatility. I especially like M83 as Ha really sets it off.

John.

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

Lovely colours John. @ great objects

[John K]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Originally Posted by Rod771

Great results John!

I like the un-cropped M83 slightly better than original post.

Well done.

totally agree - also like this way more.

John K.

[traveller (Bo)]

Well done John,
Setting the mark for what I can aim for
Bo

[alistairsam]

nice work John,

I particularly like the lagoon, smooth with lovely details.
you might get a 3D feel with slightly higher contrast, but it looks great as is.

Cheers
Alistair

[John K]

Originally Posted by alistairsam

nice work John,

I particularly like the lagoon, smooth with lovely details.
you might get a 3D feel with slightly higher contrast, but it looks great as is.

Cheers
Alistair

Alistair - that was good advice and always good for a fresh set of eyes to look at another's images as after spending several hours I think we can loose sight of the end result.

Some more contrast works well - image attached

John K.

[Marios (Marios)]

I thought 1600 might be to noisy looks like the cold weather really helps to keep it under control.

[alistairsam]

Originally Posted by John K

Alistair - that was good advice and always good for a fresh set of eyes to look at another's images as after spending several hours I think we can loose sight of the end result.

Some more contrast works well - image attached

John K.

Hi

Might be best to resize the attachment to 1024x768 and have the hi-res version in flickr.
I cant zoom out in the attachment here.

Was this with the split equatorial?

Cheers
Alistair

[John K]

...and another but not as harsh which I think works best.

John k.

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by John K

...and another but not as harsh which I think works best.

John k.

Poli Orea!

Very Nice..

[astronobob (Bob)]

Mighty Fine Results John The last Lagoon is a pearla

[DavidU (Dave)]

Very nice work indeed. Well done.