Horse Head Neb, First Try.

[leon]

Hi All

A few nights back i tried my hand at the Horse Head Neb.

The sky was pretty average, and this image consists of eight, 2 minute exposures, using Canon 300mm F/4L Lens, on EQ5, no guiding, and Canon 5D.

There seems to be a little focus problem, and a few artifacts that shouldn't be there, so next time i hope for better results. :P

I can only improve in time.:D

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[matt]

Leon.

For a first attempt I reckon that's not bad at all:thumbsup:

I can see the HH and the flame very clearly.

I've not even ventured in this direction yet, so all power to you... ;)

[beren]

:thumbsup: Very nice mate, you must have nice dark skies I have to break the 3-4 min barrier before I get a good signal with the flame and over 5 for a trace of the HH :P

[iceman]

First try! Excellent result.

[ving]

thats a great first go at teh horsey.! :thumbsup:
onya!

[leon]

Thanks Guys, and Beren, no, the skies are not that dark here at all, i forgot to mention that i also used a 72mm Hutech, Light Pollution Filter. with the lens.

Cheers leon

[RB]

Excellent start Leon.

Was that with the lens wide open at F/4 ?

Also what ISO were you using?

Looking forward to more images mate.

:thumbsup:

[sheeny]

That's an excellent effort for a first attempt!:thumbsup:

Al.

[leon]

Hi RB, yes the Lens was set at infinity, and i used 400 ISO, i find this seems to be my best range.

But i am going to try some more settings, and try and get the right combination with the next few attempts.

I "Bugger" myself up when i do imaging sometimes, by trying to do to many objects in one night, instead of sticking with only one, and getting that right first :P

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[RB]

It's tempting to try and get as many objects as possible in the one night especially with this terrible weather we've been having, but as you say it's best to concentrate on one or two objects and get as much exposure as possible.

Your doing well mate, gotta love that 5D too, awesome.

:thumbsup:

[Garyh]

Hi Leon,
Great for a first go at the horse expecially with LP.....:thumbsup:
I have imaged it about ten times now and just getting the exposures just right to show it nicely. Not a easy subject I find!
Andrew is right with what he says. I used to try to image 4-5 things on a good night. Now I just image one or two per night.
With my last few posts I have put about a hours worth of lights into them but that is still not enough to get rid of the noise and bring out the fainter details. I be pushing 1 to 2 hours from now on unless the weather beats me.
Keep em coming!!!!
Cheers Gary

[spearo]

Yep I agree with everyone else's comments: well done as a first go with this target! It's very exciting when you first capture the HH .
I made the same mistakes everyone else made trying to image evrything i could in one clear night and now try to limit it to one or two
psychologically you "feel" less pressured and get way mor exposure time to get a better signal / noise ratio.
I also always use some noise reduction, noisware used t be free i think you can still get it community edition for free but you have to log in some details i think...might be worth a look into
cheers
and well done
frank

[RB]

I must admit I've used NR software in the past but I try and avoid it now if possible.
To me it gives the image a "Plastic look" and personally prefer a more natural image even if it has a little noise.

I try and get more exposure if possible to aid the s/n ratio.

[acropolite]

Excellent first effort Leon. :thumbsup:

[spearo]

Andrew's comment supports the notion that in the end, it's what each one of us finds pleasing to the eye.

It's more of an art than I science i think
keep them coming!
cheers
frank

[dugnsuz]

Lovely stuff leon,
I see you've taken all my advice!!!;) :lol: ;) :lol:
Looks great.
Wish i could pull detail like that out of the noise!
More please!:P
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[leon]

Hey Doug, your turn is coming, i expect some real masterpieces from you shortly ;) you know what i mean :P seems like the pressy
hasn't arrived yet mate. :mad2:, maybe tomorrow.

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[Ric]

Great image Leon, it all looks very well resolved and detailed and the colour is very natural looking as well.

Top stuff

[leon]

Where trying Ric, i think there is plenty of room for improvment, give me 12 months, but thanks for the engouragment.

Cheers Leon

[atalas]

Great effort Leon , I would love to have a field that size ! with some careful planning you can progress very quickly and If you want any processing help mate I'm only an email away.

[leon]

Keep that in mind Louie, and thank you

[stephenmcnelley]

Wide field aspect, lovely!