30 second M42 w/Canon 400D & 12.5"

[John K]

Received my prime focus adaptor for the Canon 400D a few days a go so last night just before going to bed I thought I'll just take a quick shot to check out the image scale I will get when I get around to trying deep sky imaging next new moon.

Just rolled out the JMI NGT 12.5" on the sun deck, pointed the polar axis south and took some 30 second shots of M42.

No serious polar alignment, moon blazing away and light pollution everywhere as I live 6kms north of the Melbourne CBD.

So this is my first deep sky attempt. After looking at the image I went ....Holy cow! ....Even though the image is quite poor and light polluted I can now see why the IIS guys are right into the deep sky stuff! This is great!

Attached below is just one 30 second unguided shot at ISO1600, simply adjusted in contrast, brightness and curves as well as some minor noise reduction in Noiseworks (noise reduction was also completed by the Canon).

Can't wait to have a another go at this when I go away next new moon and when I get things like a remote shutter control for the Canon and can drift align my scope for longer exposures.

John.

[Dennis]

A very nice photo John, particularly given the casual approach! Can't wait to see the results when you have more time to set up and align, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

[Ric]

A good start John, I can see some nice depth in the nebula structure and the stars are well resolved.

A good first deep sky image, now the addiction will set in and you wont be able to stop.

Cheers

[jjjnettie]

Great first shot John.
You're going to have a ball with your setup.

[[1ponders]]

Welome to the DDS (Digital Dark Side) John :evil:

Very nice start mate. :thumbsup:

[leon]

Another soul is lost to the imaging addiction, :whistle: well done John.

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[lineout]

Mate you have inspired me to try the same thing myself. I live a few kms from Sydney (lower north shore) and light polution is really bad where I am. I'd almost given up getting any decent images until I saw this. Of course it can only get better under a dark sky and with a longer exposure but it's a damn good start.

Are you able to give a detailed description of the whole process so I can try?

Cheers

[John K]

Just point and shoot really! I focused on Saturn. Then simply set the camera to the B setting with a 30" second exposure. I guess it's a bit of a trila and error. Have a go and share the results with us. Then adjust contrast, brightness and curves either in the Canon software or P/shop.