Another go at Rho. This time with bonus Comet.

[Retrograde]

Spent most of SPSP playing with the new wide-field toy - the Samyang 135mm f2. :)

This image is a two-panel mosaic. Each panel consists of 20 x 90-sec subs at f2.8 using a modded Pentax K-5iis DSLR at ISO 400. It could've done with more data of course but I'm still experimenting with this setup and am pretty happy with the result for what it is.
I also managed to capture the faint periodic comet 71P/Clark which was estimated to be magnitude 13.15 on the night I took this (26th/27th May). I wasn't actually aware that Comet Clark would be in the field and only realised after seeing a recent APOD of the same region that was taken just a few days before this :lol:

High res available here: http://www.astrobin.com/full/297926/0/

[strongmanmike]

Wow, an excellent image Peter, nice work, you should put that in the SPSP astroimaging comp/display next year!...I'll give it a vote :thumbsup:...such a photogenic region that, I assume that small greenish smudge just right of centre is Clark?

Mike

[RickS]

Great image, Pete, and the comet is a nice catch.

[multiweb]

Terrific field Pete. Really really cool. Love the colors and contrast. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[topheart]

Beautiful!!
Cheers,
Tim

[marc4darkskies]

Excellent image Pete! Just gorgeous! :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

what a cracker of a shot and great take

[Placidus]

Aye, gorgeous, and with a comet!

[gregbradley]

That's the nicest Rho image I have seen for a long time. Super image.
Greg

[cometcatcher]

That's awesome. The comet is a bonus. :thumbsup:

[zardos123]

Yep that is very nice, i can feel a larger mosaic coming on :thumbsup:

[atalas]

Gorgeous shot Peter:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[nebulosity.]

Lovely shot Pete, what aperture were you shooting at with the lens?

Cheers
Jo

[Retrograde]

Thanks Mike - OK I'll put it in for sure if it'll get your vote :lol:
Yep the small green smudge you've identified is Comet Clark.



Thanks Rick!



Thanks very much Marc.



Thanks Tim - cheers!



Thanks Marcus - much appreciated!



Appreciate your comment David. :)

[Retrograde]

Thanks M & T!



Cheers Greg!



Thanks Kevin. Actually it might well be the first comet I've imaged since Halley in 1986 :lol:



Thanks Brad - yes I wanted to grab the Blue Horsehead as well - maybe next time (and I suspect it would require more data than I captured this time around).



Thanks very much Louie



Thanks Jo.
I was using f2.8 with the lens.

[Camelopardalis]

Fantastic Pete, well done :thumbsup: lens looks like a winner!

[Retrograde]

Thanks Dunk. Yep the lens seems to be going well now.

I've discovered that focus is critical (through trial and error) which is probably not news to anyone with experience shooting at fast f-ratios. :lol:
Weirdly my first test images showed very bad curvature/tilt rendering 1/3rd of the field unusable - not sure what was going on there - maybe the bayonet mount was somehow incorrectly seated or something :screwy:

[Camelopardalis]

Yeah we take screw threads for granted with scopes, etc. I can only guess that the slightest mis-mating of the lens to camera body is just exacerbated.

Looks like you've nailed the focus though, it is very hard with a fast lens, and then there's keeping dew off the glass :eyepop:

[astronobob]

Very awesome scene Retrograde/Pete :eyepop: A great object target & beautifully Fitted, Composed & framed Indeed :thumbsup:

Top Stuff !!

[Retrograde]

Thanks very much Bob!

[IanP]

What a beauty !!!
:party2:

[Decimus]

:eyepop:A stunning image, Pete - congratulations! IMHO, this is every bit as good as the top quality CCD images I have seen of this region (if not better!). Well done.:thumbsup:

Cheers,
Richard

[Retrograde]

Thanks Ian!



Thanks very much Richard. :)

[DJT]

Jeez that's a really good image. Great colours, well framed and the comet as the bonus. Top job!

[Retrograde]

Thanks David - appreciate your comment. :)

[OzEclipse]

Excellent image Pete. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Stunning.

[astronobob]

Had to have another 'squizz' at this Peter, loving the colour and view :cool:
Im hoping to give this area another go, since a few yrs back, Lol
Was wanting to ask if I can 'save' your attached image (Not the astrobin one) altho that just looks fantastic :eyepop:
I would love to use this for reference when I finally have a go, hoping to use my 50mm F1.4 :question:
Cheers if ok, cheers also if not :thumbsup:

[Retrograde]

Thanks very much Joe - those Pentax DSLRs aren't half bad eh? ;) :lol:



You are welcome to use it for that purpose Bob - I'm rather flattered that you would want to actually :)
Wishing you every success with your new image. If you can run your lens at f1.4 for astro then I suspect you'll do very well.