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Mickoid
16-07-2023, 10:02 PM
The cloudy nights just won't go away long enough to gather some useful data these days! Clouds cleared at about 11.30pm last night and I've been itching to give my latest aquisition a trial on some deep sky objects. M8 and M20 seemed good easy targets but by the time I was set up they were past the meridian and heading west into Melbourne's light dome. I'd hope to shoot an hour at least, to give the Fujifilm X-T100 a chance to show what it can do. I purchased this camera based on the feedback from other users that this camera had good Ha response - similar to many in the X range of Fuji's mirrorless cameras. This one uses a Bayer Matrix array, most of the higher end Fuji cameras use their patented Trans-X sensors. I wanted to keep it simple to eliminate the possible need to convert the Raw file format into a file format compatible with some software programs.

I didn't want to spend any extra on Astro modifying the Fujifilm camera ( I already have a Modified Canon 550d ), I just wanted a lighter, smaller, mirrorless camera with an APSC sensor sporting more pixels and features. Anyway here's the result of what I got before these targets dipped into the trees and I lost my auto guiding. 25 X 60 second exposures, ISO 1000, darks but no flats, through an Esprit 100. From this result in Bortle 6 skies, I'm quite impressed about what this little camera can do. :)

oska
17-07-2023, 05:52 AM
Good stuff Michael, great result and the camera is very impressive indeed.

AstroViking
17-07-2023, 09:02 AM
That's an impressive Ha response from the camera. Certainly better than most stock DSLRs, and almost up there with an astro-cam.

Great image, too - plenty of depth to the colours, and the star field isn't drowning the nebulae.

Cheers,
V

Dave882
17-07-2023, 11:24 AM
Yeah that’s beautiful! Lots of Ha in the lagoon too, but just enough of the reflection nebula in m20 coming through too. Great stuff!

Anth10
17-07-2023, 02:19 PM
Well worth the investment Mick, a very hand addition to your astro gear and opens up plenty more opportunity for widefield imaging given the performance from the Fuji sensor.
Nice pic, heaps of stars nice and sharp, and satisfying I'm sure to capture so much nebulosity as well.

Anthony

Mickoid
17-07-2023, 11:36 PM
Thanks John, never had a Fujifilm camera before, always been Pentax and Canon for me but I like what I'm seeing from this camera.



Thanks Steve, I was looking for a cheaper alternative to buying an astro camera with a APSC size sensor. This looks like it will do the job well enough for me for the time being.




Thanks David, these two always look nice together and I was pleased to show them off reasonably well with such a short exposure.


Thanks Anthony, I'm pretty happy with the result and am looking forward to having another go at M31 using it on the Esprit 100 in the coming weeks ahead.

Bodon
20-07-2023, 12:53 PM
Great photo Michael!

Mickoid
20-07-2023, 05:07 PM
Cheers Steve, glad you liked it. :thumbsup:

carlstronomy
20-07-2023, 06:34 PM
Michael, lovely image. Detail and colours are spot on, you should be very happy with such an image!

Clear skies :thumbsup:

xelasnave
20-07-2023, 08:22 PM
Very good image..I am inspired to try similar with the RASA ...I have 30minutes so far.

alex

Mickoid
20-07-2023, 10:30 PM
Thanks Carl yes I was happy with the result with limited data. The Esprit 100 with an APSC sensor frames them nicely.


Thanks Alex, go for it! It should turn out very well using your RASA.

JA
21-07-2023, 09:33 AM
Lovely image and great natural colour from your new cam ! It would be great if other manufacturers also extended the Hydrogen Alpha response of their cameras to that of some of the Fuji cams.

Best
JA