Sombrero

[raymo]

This obviously needs a much longer focal length scope, or a barlow.
20 x 15 secs @ 3200. I have added an enlarged version.
raymo

[nebulosity.]

Gee that's nice, will have to try this one with my setup, although it's only 200mm longer than yours.

Jo

[cometcatcher]

Looks great Ray. You're really coming along now.

[raymo]

Thanks Kevin and Jo.
raymo

[Marios]

I think you should be able to crop this image and resize it to achieve a larger image. Have a little play around with paint if youre not comfortable with PS.

See my version...

[raymo]

Hi Marios, yes I could enlarge it, but the image quality drops
off rapidly with enlargement, so I'll be taking some more subs
at a greater focal length.
cheers raymo

[Bassnut]

15sec subs?. What are you doing?.

[Marios]

Hi Raymo

I think with a reasonable mega pixel camera and at least 30 minutes worth of subs at MAX 1600 ISO you should get some pretty good images to blow up IMO. :D

[raymo]

Hi Fred, What I'm doing is making the best of a bad job. I'm pushing 80,
so my gear gets heavier by the day, so I frequently just roughly align, and adjust my sub lengths to my accuracy on the night. Also, SWMBO
has no time for my hobby, so I am under pressure to call it quits just
as I'm getting everything running right. This has been the situation for over 50 yrs, so I am thoroughly used to it.
Hi Marios, I'm working on improving my technique so I can reduce the
ISO.
raymo

[RobF]

This is looking very promising to my eye Raymo. I have a 8" F5 newt too and don't be too quick to write off what it possible. Here is the same field heavily cropped with about an hour of data from surburban Brisbane, albeit not fantastic tracking (subsequent 2 shots are the wider frames).
https://picasaweb.google.com/UserRobF/Galaxies#5574653475802614978

Your image looks a little black clipped. More data and a bit more processing practice could well do wonders.

Love the story about your wife's attitude to the hobby. :lol:
But at least we're off the street and behaving :thumbsup:

[BruceG]

Hi Raymo, I may have a bit of a suggestion to get you up and imaging in a shorter time. This method works for me, I call it the "poor mans" pier.
I have 3 steel right angle brackets purchased at Bunnings
http://www.bunnings.com.au/angle-bracket-sturdy-zenith-100x100x50x5mm-hdg-heg0100_p3961276
These have 2 holes drilled on each face which are large enoughfor the tips of the tripod legs to go through.
I did a fairly rough alignment of the mount, got it level and then bashed the angle brackets into the lawn so that the tripod tips sit securely in the holes in the bracket. You just have to mark which holes you are using. Setup your scope and using what ever method you are comfortable with, spend enough time drift aligning until you are satisfied that it is very close - I had never drift aligned before so it took me a couple of hours with the illuminated reticule eyepiece to get it right. Now all I do is keep the tripod and mount assembled and move it out to my brackets and plug the legs into the marked holes and I'm polar aligned.
Now if the tripod and mount together is too heavy ( I always remove the counterweights first), you can remove the mount from the tripod by marking the azimuth knobs with a line pointing straight up and undo then both 3 turns counterclockwise - remove the mount and when you reassemble it just remember to turn the knobs 3 turns clockwise and you're in business!
It really saves me time - I just set up the gear in the late afternoon and go out when its dark and i am imaging within a fairly short space of time.
Cheers,
Bruce.

[raymo]

Thanks all; I've got help and suggestions coming at me from all directions, but rest assured that I'm taking it all on board.
raymo

[cometcatcher]

Good idea Bruce. I'll try that myself.