M42 - my first CCD colour image

[naskies]

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 (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13644418/iis/M42-OrionNebula-Medium.jpg), or 3338 px wide (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13644418/iis/M42-OrionNebula.jpg)

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]

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

Cheers,
Nathan

[RickS]

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

[Paul Haese]

Well done for your first mono image.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Impressive Dave!

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

Cheers,

Justin.

[Larryp]

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]

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

[naskies]

Thanks Nathan, I'm already itching for next month's new moon :)



Cheers Rick! I'm glad I bit the bullet on the mono camera ;)



Thanks Paul!



Thanks Justin. Surely you must be getting tempted by the dark side too...? :lol:



Thanks Larry.



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.



Not many more sleeps to go! ;)

[ourkind]

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

[graham.hobart]

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

[Ross G]

A beautiful looking photo Dave.

What a great start.

Good luck.

Ross.

[RobF]

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

[naskies]

Thanks Carlos!



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



Cheers Ross!



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

[peeb61]

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

Paul

[naskies]

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]

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

[strongmanmike]

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

Mike

[Octane]

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

Congratulations on a pearler to start your account with. :)

H

[naskies]

No worries, you're not missing out on much anyway with so much cloud around! Hope to catch up with you in 2013.



Thanks Mike, appreciated! :)



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 :rofl: In fact, I got so carried away that I ended up acquiring a second 5DmkII body from a friend at mate's rates :lol:

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.

[ew]

Another great image of M42. Seeing the difference between imagers is very interesting and inspiring.

[Screwdriverone]

WOW Dave,

Thats fantastic. So smooth and so much detail.

Excellent work.

Cheers

Chris

[gregbradley]

What a great start Dave. A very beautiful image.

Greg.

[naskies]

Thanks Eric!



Thanks Chris! I got lucky with some excellent transparency shortly after some thick clouds parted.



Thanks Greg!