First image with ZWO2600MC FLT91 (M42)

[benklerk]

Over the past week and a half I spent the time imaging M42 (Orion Nebula). Its a classic object, but wanted to test things out to see how things go before I attempt a bit more harder objects.

Managed to get 900 subs at 1min unguided. With a combined total of 15hrs it really turned out pretty good. One of my best M42 images I have done.

Camera is the ZWO2600MC using the WO FLT91 with the 0.8x reducer giving me a F4.7 at 430mm. Living in bortle 4 skies I don't really have to worry about much light pollution around.

I imaged at gain 0 at -10C. Even at 1min subs I was still just under blowing out the core.

Processed in Pixinsight and give a slight touch up in Photoshop.

I included the annotated image as well as its nice to show the other NGC object I imaged in my FOV.

[Startrek]

Congrats on your first light with the ZWO2600MC , a fine effort there with loads of good data
I reckon you could have got away with 30 to 45 sec subs under those darkish skies at Gain 0. Ive had the same camera for 4 years.


One observation if I may and only my humble opinion, the image appears way to bright and is masking some excellent detail you have captured in the main structures of M42 and surrounding regions of dust.Stars also appear bloated too.


I hope you didn't mind but I ran your jpeg image through my post processing software Startools to see if I could tame the brightness down and expose more detail behind the scenes.


I applied a quick AutoDev stretch , Contrast and HDR to tame the brightness , reduce star bloat and expose some hidden detail.Took 5 minutes.


See what you think ??


In any case a fine effort and enjoy the new camera, it will serve your well



Clear Skies
Martin

[Crater101]

Firstly - Ben, a fine image, and one that interests me greatly. I have a similar setup (FLT91, ZWO 2600MC Duo, and the flattener not the reducer) and despite schematics, e-mails to WO, and some liberally applied invective :ashamed: I can't quite get the backfocus right, so I congratulate you on what you've achieved.


Martin - interested in what you did there. Gain 0, huh? (Wanders off to make further adjustments... :bashcomp: )

[benklerk]

Hi Martin

I really haven't done to much HDR work, still learning all the settings in pixinsight. I was guessing the sub length at 1min and it looked like a pretty good guess.

I was trying to keep both the core from blowing out and keeping background levels not to dark so you can't see the dust clouds and the faint HA.

But I'm still playing around with the camera, seeing what its limits. I moved up from using a 1600mm with a smaller dynamic range and well depth.

Your quick image looks ok, a bit dark for my liking.

Regards
Ben

[benklerk]

Went back and did a new HDR workflow. Turned out pretty good in keeping both the background and core.

[strongmanmike]

Yeah, the latest one looks great, well done :thumbsup:

Mike

[Leo.G]

Lovely!


The core blow-out is a common problem for likely everyone who's ever shot M42 and a learning curve. It's an easy assumption going from planetary that you're going to need longer exposures. I don't have the quality gear anyone here has but I learnt in my case it's all about lucky guesses (because I'm too stupid to figure it all out).

I liked the first shot too, while slightly bright in the core nowhere near as overexposed as many shots often seen are.


Sorry, dumb question (and google would tell me), what sensor does the 2600 have?
I think it's way out of my price range but who knows, one may come up here cheap in 10 years or so only slightly used (wishful thinking I'm still going to be around in 10 years).

[benklerk]

The ZWO2600MC uses the IMX571 from sony.

[Startrek]

Excellent result
You’ve exposed all the hidden detail behind the original glare or “bleached out pixels”
Stars are much tighter and sharper too
HDR did the trick
Well done !

[Ryderscope]

The revised workflow has scrubbed up very nicely Ben :thumbsup: