I had a go using the Tamron 500mm mirror lens on this galaxy about the same time last year. I think this year's attempt is an improvement because I've used an Heq5 pro mount and a UV IR cut filter on the lens this time.
Not the ideal conditions to have a go but I felt like photographing something last night without dragging out the telescope. So here's the result from a Melbourne suburban sky with a quarter moon shinning nearby.
25 x 90 sec subs unguided at f 8 @1600 iso using my modded Canon 550d. The stars have an odd triangular shape which must be caused by some rogue tracking included in the stack but it was just a bit of fun to show what can be done with basic equipment and conditions.
It is still showing up quite well!
The triangle stars may be caused by the UV IR filter. I used a UV filter on my Signa 85mm and it caused the lens to perform significantly worse for Astro work. Likely not noticeable for everyday photography however.
Thanks Colin, well you may be right because looking at the one I took last year the stars are nice and round. This year there is much better detail and less noise but that may also be because my processing techniques have changed ( for the better, I hope! ).
