I shot IC4685 a couple of months ago with the IDAS D2 filter and again last night with the L-Enhance filter, both 12x7 minutes, TS115, Nikon d5600 @ ISO 400, Lights only (no calibration frames), Bortle 4/5 sky.
More nebulosity and detail shows up in the L-Enhance image while colours are more natural with the D2. Stacking all of the subs together produced something half way between the other two images.
IDAS D2: First image
L-Enhance: Second image
The last image is all frames from both filters.
That is very interesting Tony. However perhaps now stack each group separately and merge them with the total stack using the rubber tool in photo shop (which is just a convenient masking approach I guess) and accentuate different regions from each image depending on how they show particular aspects better or worse...into the total stacked image.
I sometimes do similar but with the same image by using a bright copy and a darker copy and blending so as not to blow out a core..for example.
Probably not the done thing I expect.
Very impressed with your results in any event.
Alex
Thanks Alex, I'll investigate. I'm sure there are ways to blend images and get the best of both but my processing is still fairly basic - picking up things slowly.
Folk don't think photo shop is useful but I find tools like rubber, dodge, burn and the ease of layer manipulation worth the investment...you can buy what I have outright..it's not the rental one.
But it is very easy was supposed to be my main point.
It would be very handy for you I feel.
You would know the software I use but I will list it..DSS, Startools, Photoshop and Gimp. I have the old version of gimp on my lappy but on the desk top I have the new version which I have yet to learn ...it's free and I suspect it will do most of what Photoshop will do.
Alex
That’s an interesting comparison. You can also add the L-Enhance as a luminance layer in PS and adjust the opacity to suit. That should help keep the more natural colour and also accentuate the narrowband data.
Interesting comparison Tony. I tried a similar combination with a CLS CCD and the STC Duo. I found the sharpness and over all quality of the STC subs was significantly better and adding the CLS subs was actually detrimental to the final image.
What are the luminance levels like in your L-enhance subs vs your IDAS subs ?
Great images all 3
Although I prefer the first one as the star field has more impact against the main object
That’s just my preference though
It certainly is a matter of personal preference. I put a priority on nebulosity but the stars themselves can be main features, especially with Newtonian spikes.
Alex and Paul, I'm using DSS, PS and PI, but have only scratched the surface.
You seem to be able to bring out the nebulosity a lot more with the l-enhance
I can see myself using the L-Enhance more and more, not only for the increased nebulosity but it helps to cut through less than perfect conditions too, especially light pollution or moonlight.
The L-Enhance subs look slightly brighter. Perhaps the increased contrast allows more stretching without blowing out other features too.
Interesting. The STC subs tend to be more feint but with significantly better contrast which means, as with your L-enhance, you can stretch the image much further.
Agreed. I'm finding much the same with the STC Duo. And will use it more & more for nebulae. Although Ryan thinks there are subtle differences.
I'm finding I can stretch objects way more. I'm splitting the R & G channels and denoising/sharpening them. Then I'm stretching them and recombining. Finding I can bring out the OIII in objects where the H-alpha overwhelms.
Quote:
Originally Posted by casstony
I can see myself using the L-Enhance more and more, not only for the increased nebulosity but it helps to cut through less than perfect conditions too, especially light pollution or moonlight.
Agreed. I'm finding much the same with the STC Duo. And will use it more & more for nebulae. Although Ryan thinks there are subtle differences.
I'm finding I can stretch objects way more. I'm splitting the R & G channels and denoising/sharpening them. Then I'm stretching them and recombining. Finding I can bring out the OIII in objects where the H-alpha overwhelms.
Maybe I didn’t explain my experiences properly. I totally agree, the differences are far from subtle. I agree also that it’s much easier to separate the O3 during processing. What I was saying was more focused on the stark differences with sharpness between the two filters also.