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Old 12-11-2018, 02:28 PM
Startrek (Martin)
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My 1st M42 Orion Nebula

This is my very first processed image of M42 taken down the south coast NSW
20 x 30 sec lights
20 x 60 sec lights
15 x 30 sec darks
15 x 60 sec darks
ISO 1600
No flats
6” f6 newt on a HEQ5
PHD2 guided
Canon 600D stock

Unfortunately core is blown out , maybe ISO 800 may have helped ?
It’s hard to come up with ideas at 3.30am when you need some shut eye
Any ideas on avoiding the core from blowing out as I’ve tried all the modules and masks in Startools but can’t clean it up
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  #2  
Old 12-11-2018, 02:57 PM
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xelasnave
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Very nice Martin.
I have spent two nights trying to get something...I will post it mainly cause its taken a great effort to work thru the problems..
That is an amazing first effort.
I just want to get it this year if nothing else.
alex
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Old 12-11-2018, 03:33 PM
glend (Glen)
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Martin M42 is one of the hardest objects to image well, simply because it is so bright in the core. The solution that seems to work best for some people (using Photoshop), is to create layer masks of different exposure lengths. If you shoot a set of subs to propertly expose the Trapezium, and then others to get the cloud detail (forgetting about the core blowout). A layer mask allows you to use the Trapezium exposed file, to lay over the blown core, which is effectively replaced. There are online tutorials (Utube) about the process.
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Old 13-11-2018, 08:16 PM
Startrek (Martin)
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Thanks Alex and Glen,
Yes I’m pleased with the image and will learn a lot from it
I found out a way in Startools to clean up the core to give a 50% improvement
Instead of an Autodevelop to stretch the image I use a manual develop so I can control the level of exposure and glare by adjusting the gamma
Also HDR has a feature called “ reveal DSO core “ which gives reasonable control of the core area
There’s other modules which I used to make minor tweaks , it’s not perfect but a big improvement from my posted image
There is a compromise though , you do lose a bit of detail in the Nebula on the outer regions
Startools has a lot of features which I need to experiment with and learn to get better outcomes.You can spend hours and hours on the same image and get a dozen different outcomes. I suppose it comes down to individual taste and expectation I suppose
Thanks for the replies
Appreciate it
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Old 14-11-2018, 10:22 AM
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traveller (Bo)
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Well done on M42 Martin,
Further to what Glen said, M42 is very challenging to master due to its high dynamic range. Layer masking is a very good tool to get the exposures right. This video was my guide when I was learning, and I still look at it now and then https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-PC4Sq0Zho&t=344s
Cheers
Bo
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Old 14-11-2018, 01:00 PM
Startrek (Martin)
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Thanks Bo
I think I’m a tad too aggressive with processing which is probably a typical mistake by newbies like me
I’m going to spend some time on M42 data and try a few different things to achieve some better outcomes
Cheers
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