NGC253 from Cambroon.....and now M31

[[1ponders]]

First cab of the rank for the weekend.

NGC253 using ED80, 300D (unmodded), 0.8 WO FR, autoguided using TV Guider (sweet! so easy).

6X10min @ ISO800, dark framed and stacked in Images Plus, processed in PS.

I've got a couple more to process (M31 and Orion using 135mm) but I picked up a pretty severe series of gradients on them that are causing issues. I'll post more when I'm a bit happier with them.

[[1ponders]]

Slightly different processing. Less noisy and more contrast on my screen. Slightly overdid the unsharp mask though :P

[leon]

Nice one Paul, yea I get a bit excited about the Un Sharp Masking too.

Leon

[h0ughy]

Nice work Sir!!

[Garyh]

Lovely widefield of 256 Paul. :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

M31 taken with the Canon 135mm lens.

About a 2/3 crop of the original from 3072 pixels to 1992 pixels and then reduced for the forum.

7/600sec@ISO400. Dark subtracted and High/Low Excluded Average combined in Images Plus. Additional processing in PS. Had some pretty serious gradient to remove (my red laptop screen was reflecting of the side of my car up onto the inside of the lens hood which then reflected back down onto the lens :sad: :doh: :doh: :doh: ) but otherwise I'm pretty happy with the amount of noise, especially seeing I haven't done any noise reduction or softening on it.


I've added a second image with some slight noise reduction to it.

[h0ughy]

Fantastic - too many stars to see the noise!! The core is a bit burnt out but man what a shot

[RB]

The NGC253 images are awesome Paul, some really nice detail in there and nice bright core.
As a side-note, personally, the frame doesn't appeal to me, it's a bit of a distraction from this fine image.

M31 looks very good too, very bright core.
Maybe if you can adjust the core slightly to tone down the brightness it may reveal some extra detail.

That Canon 135mm L is a real shinning performer (as is the side of your car :P )
What f-stop did you use?

Well done Sir !!!

[[1ponders]]

Thanks guys.
I used f/2.8 for the M31 shot Andrew. 10 min subs might be a bit long for M31 as the core was burnt out to start with so I just tried to blend it out to the edge. I'll see how I go with a couple of adjustments.

Ok, no more fancy frames :) I was playing around with creating pattern stamps.

[iceman]

phew i'm glad Andrew said that, I didn't like the frame either ;)

M31 is very nice Paul.. but where's the colour? It almost looks like a greyscale image.

[h0ughy]

I love the frame, but then I have no taste:whistle::P

[[1ponders]]

Ok, well I don't like the frame either than :P :lol:

I think the colour problem comes from removing the gradient Mike. You can see in the first image below how bad it was (a very quick and dirty process to bring it up). I'm having a hell of a job getting the Orion image I took worked out. I'll know not to park my car between me and the dob viewers next time :doh:


;) :lol:

Here's a slight mod on the M31 for you Andrew. I didn't redo the whole thing just adjusted the curves and gamma a bit on the final Tif image I produced. Hmmm :confuse3: ...looks a bit flat now. Guess I'd have to go back and start again. I think that different monitors will make it look different as well. The one on this laptop is on the way out and getting pretty dark. Having adjusted for this monitor it quite possibly looks too burnt in the core for others. Just means I've got to go and get a new processing desktop and monitor then :D

[Dennis]

Excellent work Paul; terrific images indeed. Have you managed to get the SBIG ST7 up and running yet?

Cheers

Dennis

[[1ponders]]

Thanks Dennis. I've only had one or two nights with it. I'm hoping to have another go tonight if I can get it to come to focus with the ED80. I'm waiting on a NextGen FR for my Meade then I can really go to town with it. Feel free to pop up at any time to show me how it works ;) :D

[acropolite]

Beautiful images Paul. If you're having troubles getting the image right on your LCD it may be worth using a CRT monitor for you processing tasks. :bashcomp:

[[1ponders]]

I've thought about that Phil but the hard part is getting a new one that is suitable and reasonably priced.

btw when are you going to post a few :evil: :whistle:

[BluMoon]

Nice work Paul...I saw it for myself at `cambroon..Looks just right!!:thumbsup: