The Running Man (~9hrs with RC8 and modded 30D)

[swannies1983]

I spent the last two weeks collecting Running Man data. Despite being summer, evening temps haven't been too bad, mostly below 20 degrees. Gully winds also haven't been as strong this year compared to the last couple of years.

Details
Imaged over 6 nights
Scope: GSO RC8 imaging at 1624mm
Mount: EQ6
Guide scope: 60mm f/11 tasco refractor
Guide camera: unmodded toucam
Guiding software: PhD
Imaging camera: Modded Canon 30D
Camera settings: 21 x 10min exposures @ ISO1600 and 69 x 5min exposures @ ISO1600 giving approximately 9hrs of data. It was the first time I have pushed subs out to 10mins using the scope. Most subs had round stars so was happy with that.
Stacked in DSS and processed in CS3. I used a greyscale version of the RGB image as a synthetic luminance image.

Larger version here (2.5MB) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47268787@N05/8480578420/sizes/h/in/photostream/)

[Octane]

Congratulations, on an excellent effort and a very fine image. This is /exactly/ the way images should be made -- with patience, dedication and many, many hours.

You've trumped my longest DSLR data collection by a factor of two. :)

I hope you continue to make images with this dedication!

H

[David Fitz-Henr]

Yes Dan, that's an excellent image; great colour and detail! The results are well worth the effort - nicely done!

[Octane]

One small suggestion I'd make after having viewed the high resolution image (on a proper/calibrated monitor) is to perhaps go a little easier on the noise reduction/smoothing routine. It is OK to have a bit of grain in an image! :)

H

[swannies1983]

Thanks Humayun. Given I can only collect about 1hr of data per imaging session, it's generally a long process to collect enough data for each object. My aim is to pick one target per month and collect as much data as possible. I was fortunate this month as we had a lot of clear skies and the night temperatures were kind to be able to image with an uncooled dslr.

This is my second longest "total" data acquisition on one subject. I collected about 10.5hrs on the horse head. Higher temps and a fainter object meant I had to collect more data to control the noise.



Cheers David :thumbsup:. Getting the colour right in this image took some time and I'm not sure if they are exactly what I want, but close to it I think. Maybe a bit too much magenta? :shrug:



Yeah, I went through multiple smoothing and sharpening runs as I couldn't settle on the amount of noise. You are probably right in that I could sharpen it up a touch :)

[jjjnettie]

:) wonderful work.

[Larryp]

Really nice:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Very nice Dan, lovely subtle result.

Mike

[swannies1983]

Thanks :)



Much appreciated :)



Cheers Mike :thumbsup:

[suma126]

well done like this alot magic :thumbsup:

[swannies1983]

Thanks Shane. I'm happy with what I could dig out under suburban skies and an oldish dslr :D

[SkyViking]

That's a really nice Running Man indeed. Impressive effort and a fantastic result, great work :)

[cybereye]

Bloody hell, 9 hours - I'm moving to a place where it doesn't rain!! A nice job on the Running Man. :thumbsup:

Cheers,
Mario

[swannies1983]

Thanks Rolf :)



Driest state in the driest continent...explains it all :P

[Leonardo70]

Great Shot .. congrats.

All the best,
Leo

[astronobob]

I Dig this one Dan, It could handle a few more herbs in processing but it looks fantastic as it is , I find some 3D effects going on in there to, so, makes a very classy image to me :thumbsup:
Very nice work ! !

[swannies1983]

Thanks Leo :)

Astronobob: Cheers for that. More than happy to hear your processing suggestions. Always willing to learn more ticks.

[astronobob]

Lol Dan, you dont want to hear my processing formulas mate, they are rather erratic and unorthodox by standards hey :screwy:
I was meaning that the processing is fantastic because you havent needed to over push the levels to have such a nice result, Beautifull & Smooth, Like doing 200kph on a bike with another 100 in reserve ;)
Cheers !

[cybereye]

The rain must follow me then! I can remember playing Rugby League in Adelaide (they do play it down there!) back in 1984 for Central Districts at a field down near Tapleys Hill Rd. (I think). It was pouring and the rain was coming in horizontally! Geez I was quick with the wind at my back...:lol:

As for 9 hours of exposure - I don't think I've managed that long all summer....:(

[Ross G]

Great capture Dan.

A very nice photo.

Ross.

[dynamo]

Good work, thanks for sharing!

[LewisM]

Great stuff! Qld'ers can only DREAM about this sort of time :(

[multiweb]

That's a very nice close up Dan. Beautiful processing. Colors are spot on. Gotta be stoked with that one. Well done. :thumbsup:

[swannies1983]

Thanks Ross.



No worries. Glad to share it.



lol...you guys will get your chance. Us here in the south will have our extended cloudy period starting in a couple of months.



Cheers. I'm happy to hear the colours are great. I wasn't quite sure on the colour of the dust. Lots of magenta but I found most pictures show it as chocolate. I'm happy with it.