M78 and Orions Belt

[avandonk]

Took three 20min exposures on Fri 17 Nov of Orions Belt area at home. I was hoping to do some imaging at Snake Valley but weather and equipment conspired against that. Even so looks very promising for when Orion gets higher ealier. A bit of Barnards Loop is also visible.

Details
Canon 5DH, Canon 300mm F2.8L at F2.8, Hutech LPR filter, 3x20min at 200 ISO, processed with IP and RS adjusted in PS.
Large file 1.3MB
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~avandonk2/M78+.jpg

Bert

[h0ughy]

top shot, man that 5DH must be good and that lens too!

[iceman]

Nice satellite trail visible in the full version :)

Great shot Bert, lovely large area of sky.

[Dennis]

A beautifully composed and processed image Bert. I am gob smacked that you grabbed this with the lens wide open at F2.8, simply amazing.

Cheers

Dennis

[avandonk]

Thanks all. Even though the 5DH is a very good camera I don't think I have mastered it's full potential yet. I have had it for nearly a year and images keep improving as I learn more about exposure conditions and processing methods. I had hit a brick wall with the 20D as nothing would improve the images I was getting. Just shows that perseverance with the equipment you have will pay off.
I still have to try imaging at a dark sky site. The Hutech LPR filter roughly doubles the exposure needed to get the same image as at a dark sky site. This of course depends on the light pollution you have at home.

I was stunned at how clear the skies at Snake Valley were. At home I can just see the LMC and SMC on a really clear night. At SV they could not be missed they were so apparently bright.

Bert

[[1ponders]]

Beautiful shot Bert. Would make a great component to a mosiac ;);)

[Striker]

Impresive Image Bert

Well Done

[ving]

m78 was one of the first DSOs i found in my 60mm wobble-o-tronic and will always be a fave :)

[avandonk]

A bit like this Paul?
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~avandonk2/mos1.jpg

Bert

[[1ponders]]

Definately a good start Bert, but I was thinking along the lines of the whole of Orion ;) You know just something to keep you occupied during the daylight hours :lol:

[tornado33]

Excellent work Bert. Nice long subexposures too, 20 mins. Well framed to fit it all in.
Scott

[RB]

Excellent Bert, very impressive at 20 min subs and 200 ISO.

Well done.