M42 - my first CCD colour image

[naskies (Dave)]

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.

Larger versions: 1600 px wide, or 3338 px wide

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.

Thanks for looking!

[A23649 (Nathan)]

That is a wonderful picture and the better part is it is only your first.

Cheers,
Nathan

[RickS (Rick)]

Nice work, Dave! I couldn't go back to OSC

[Paul Haese]

Well done for your first mono image.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Impressive Dave!

Certainly mor subtle colour variation through the image compared with a straight DSLR RGB.

Cheers,

Justin.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Very nice image, Dave. Lots of detail and colour variation

[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?

[DJT (David)]

congrats on the first mono image. Tak still under the christmas tree..sob

[naskies (Dave)]

Originally Posted by A23649

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

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

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Well done for your first mono image.

Thanks Paul!

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...?

Originally Posted by Larryp

Very nice image, Dave. Lots of detail and colour variation

Thanks Larry.

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.

Originally Posted by DJT

congrats on the first mono image. Tak still under the christmas tree..sob

Not many more sleeps to go!

[ourkind (Carlos)]

That is fantastic Dave!! Lots of detail in the centre and the balance of exposures is excellent. Congratulations

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Really fantastic Dave!
One for the pool room!
Cheers
Graham.

[Ross G]

A beautiful looking photo Dave.

What a great start.

Good luck.

Ross.

[RobF (Rob)]

WTG Dave. You've got a great rig going there, and beautiful first image to show for it!

[naskies (Dave)]

Originally Posted by ourkind

That is fantastic Dave!! Lots of detail in the centre and the balance of exposures is excellent. Congratulations

Thanks Carlos!

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

Really fantastic Dave!
One for the pool room!

Thanks Graham... though I may have to invest in a pool room first

Originally Posted by Ross G

A beautiful looking photo Dave.

What a great start.

Good luck.

Cheers Ross!

Originally Posted by RobF

WTG Dave. You've got a great rig going there, and beautiful first image to show for it!

Thanks Rob! Will you be heading out Leyburn way in the coming months?

[peeb61 (Paul)]

Dave,
Wow! Nice colours all over and I love the diffraction spikes!
mighty fine indeed.

Paul

[naskies (Dave)]

Originally Posted by peeb61

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.

[RobF (Rob)]

Life's been a bit busy for astronomy lately Dave, but Leyburn is astro heaven, and definitely on the wish list for 2013

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

This is very good Dave, congratulations, first of many more to come

Mike

[Octane (Humayun)]

Shooting your first mono image is always a revelation. I know your joy.

Congratulations on a pearler to start your account with.

H

[naskies (Dave)]

Originally Posted by RobF

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.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

This is very good Dave, congratulations, first of many more to come

Thanks Mike, appreciated!

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.