40 degrees of sky... Milky Way Mosaic

[2020BC]

Subject: Milky Way
Lens: 50mm f1.8 @f6.3 Canon EF II
Mount: LXD-75 unguided
Camera: Canon 350D unmod
Exposure: 2 pics (left half 16x4mins ISO800; right-half 14x2mins ISO800).

For image reduced to fit screen click here (150KB) (http://www.zodiaclight.com/images/MOSAICCrossAndPointers16x4MinsWithE taCarina14x2mins50mmf1-8atf6-3UnguidedISO800DarkFlatWebPosterICE .jpg)

For a much closer look see the spacewalk click here (1.5MBytes) (http://www.zodiaclight.com/images/MOSAICCrossAndPointers16x4MinsWithE taCarina14x2mins50mmf1-8atf6-3UnguidedISO800DarkFlatWide.jpg)

[mill]

Wow!!! that looks excellent Bill :thumbsup:

[leon]

That is a beauty Bill, there is just something about wide fields, well done.

leon

[Ric]

That's a fantastic image Bill, a wide widefield.

Cheers

[jase]

A very memorable image Bill. Naturally coloured making it pleasing to the eye. Well done. It is reminiscent of those portrayed by Axel Mellinger's all sky milky way pictures.

[beren]

:thumbsup: Outstanding image :)

[ballaratdragons]

That is a great image, Bill!!!!!!!!
Nicely taken, nicely displayed.

[iceman]

Beautiful image, Bill! Lovely work.

[Alchemy]

superb:thumbsup:

[Phil]

wow stunning photo well done.
Phil

[dugnsuz]

Another Cracker Bill - Beautiful.
I've got to get me one them 50mm f1.8 Canon lenses!!!

Is f6.3 the 'maximum' f stop on this lens?
Do you image at f6.3 due to abberations at lower f stops?

Cheers
Doug

[2020BC]

Many thanks, dudes.



Yes, the 50mm f1.8 EF II is basically compulsory for me on a budget. At only $139 for a new one you just have to buy it...:lol: Bang per buck it is very, very good. Focus it at infinity during the day then carefully mark the focus point with an indelible pen. At night you will always then be able to get close to focus. Tip: a blob of blutac on the focus ring is so convenient to hold (lock) your focus once you get it! - and the blutac creates a nice drag (friction) for fine focusing.



The f stop goes all the way to f22 however I haven't experimented with anything lower than f6.3. I think beyond f7.1 we'd start to get diminishing returns.

I stop it down to eliminate field curvature ("coma") from the edges of the frame. At f/1.8 the stars are not round and you get significant aberrations. At f/2.8 it is much better. At f/4 it is very good, and at f6.3 I think the stars, even out at the very edge of the frame, are pretty sharp.

I started imaging with this lens at around f4 and found that f6.3 is just that bit sharper that it justifies the sacrifice of a longer exposure. At 50mm focal length a 2 minute or even a 4 minute unguided exposure will track very well - even on my mount (LXD-75).

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for the information Bill
All the best
Doug

[2020BC]

Doug, how is the Canon 40D working out ??

[dugnsuz]

Very happy Bill even though I've had minimal astro time with it.
From my first attempts (see signature link) 2 of which are single exposures, the camera shows lots of potential. The clouds and rain have kept me indoors for nearly 2 weeks now!!!!:help:

In the hands of more experienced imagers the 40D is going to set the DSLR benchmark for the next few months I reckon until Canon release the 50D or similar:lol:

Can't wait to get some decent (price justification!!!) results from the camera when the weather clears - next week hopefully.
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Garyh]

A beaut mosaic Bill! and seamlessly stitched as well!
Well done! :thumbsup:

[fringe_dweller]

just glorious Bill! what a backyard OUR backyard is! suffer in ur jocks NH

[joshman]

hahaha, fantastic image, one day i shall be producing images of this quality!!!!