First go at M16

[pluto]

The Sydney skies cleared unexpectedly last night so I set the scope up on the balcony at work to shoot some narrowband. I'm pretty happy with the result despite the epic light pollution in Rushcutters Bay plus the almost full moon.

5x10min Ha
5x10min OIII
7x10min SII ( a couple of these had clouds passing through)
Atik 314L+, SW ED80, EQ5pro, DSS, Startools, PS

Slightly bigger and better quality version here: http://hughsblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/first-go-at-the-eagle-nebula/

[pluto]

Couldn't stop fiddling with the processing, I think this is a bit nicer:

[scagman]

Hi Hugh,

Thats a great looking image. Yes, I think yhe 2nd edition looks better.

Just come in from attempting this one myself. Havent processed it yet but.

Cheers

[pluto]

Thanks John :)
I finally finished playing with it now, reprocessed the SII image and redid the colour.
This is the final:

[Larryp]

Great image, Hugh. Colour, contrast and detail all excellent-almost a 3D look.

[Poita]

Wow, shows what is possible with an ED80!

[Meru]

Great shot hugh, how great is the 80ED! My only feedback is that I personally feel the saturation is slightly high around the outer nebula. That being said, you are definitely on the right track!

[pluto]

Thanks guys :)
Thanks for the feedback Meru, I think my lappy screen is a bit undersaturated as I had a look on my work monitor today and I agree, it's a bit too saturated.
Love the ED80 :D

[Meru]

Ah I see, do re-post the low saturation version. The 80ED is great, and with the size of the sensor you have you dont have to worry about the curvature at the edges :P

[pluto]

I've had another play with the processing, especially the saturation. I think it's as good as it's going to get until I get some more data for the SII and OIII channels as the Ha (green) channel is much stronger than the others.