Here's my first-ever colour image from a mono CCD camera. What better target to celebrate it than with good ol' Orion!
I'm very impressed with the level of control possible over the imaging process and post-processing, and the much-improved sensitivity compared to a DSLR exposure of equivalent time.
Details: 1.5 hrs LRGB (25 20 20 20) with a GSO RC8 scope, AP CCDT67 reducer, SBIG STF-8300M camera + FW + OAG, and EQ6 mount. Subs stacked with DeepSkyStacker and combined in PhotoShop.
Wow - that's great for your first CCD pic - the bar is set high for me.
I would have used a little less saturation but that's personal choice.
I bet you'd like to add another frame or 2 to make a mosaic?
That is a wonderful picture and the better part is it is only your first.
Thanks Nathan, I'm already itching for next month's new moon
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Originally Posted by RickS
Nice work, Dave! I couldn't go back to OSC
Cheers Rick! I'm glad I bit the bullet on the mono camera
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Originally Posted by Paul Haese
Well done for your first mono image.
Thanks Paul!
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Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne
Impressive Dave!
Certainly mor subtle colour variation through the image compared with a straight DSLR RGB.
Thanks Justin. Surely you must be getting tempted by the dark side too...?
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Originally Posted by Larryp
Very nice image, Dave. Lots of detail and colour variation
Thanks Larry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alpal
Wow - that's great for your first CCD pic - the bar is set high for me.
I would have used a little less saturation but that's personal choice.
I bet you'd like to add another frame or 2 to make a mosaic?
Thanks mate. I probably did go a little overboard, but I was just so impressed with how much the data could be pushed without breaking down unlike with my DSLR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJT
congrats on the first mono image. Tak still under the christmas tree..sob
Dave,
Wow! Nice colours all over and I love the diffraction spikes!
mighty fine indeed.
Thanks Paul - it turned out much better than I'd expected! I think I was lucky with some excellent transparency when the clouds parted and Orion was near zenith.
Life's been a bit busy for astronomy lately Dave, but Leyburn is astro heaven, and definitely on the wish list for 2013
No worries, you're not missing out on much anyway with so much cloud around! Hope to catch up with you in 2013.
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Originally Posted by strongmanmike
This is very good Dave, congratulations, first of many more to come
Thanks Mike, appreciated!
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Originally Posted by Octane
Shooting your first mono image is always a revelation. I know your joy.
Congratulations on a pearler to start your account with.
Thanks H! You were right, I eventually took your advice from a year ago and just thought "aah bugger it", went nuts with the camera set up, and totally loving it In fact, I got so carried away that I ended up acquiring a second 5DmkII body from a friend at mate's rates
After coming from higher end Canon photo equipment, the niche astro market's quality control (or lack thereof) is a bit of a pain though.