First go at NGC2024 & B33

[Omaroo]

Boy - what a bugger! This thing is hard. The D40 has a pretty aggressive IR filter, so lots of exposure required - and the constant tracking threat that involves.

Anyway - turned out OK for my first go.

Nikon D40 @ prime focus on Intes MN74@f/4

6 frames @ISO800 for 300secs, 5 frames@ISO1600 for 180 secs, 4 frames@ISO3200 for 60 secs, a dark for each set.

Combined in Deep Sky Stacker

Adjusted a little in PS.

DSS - I really have to learn how to use this little toy a bit first.

Next time I'll do shorter exposures and many more of them.

Cheers
Chris

[ving]

woah chris!!! graet stuff mate! :D
glad one of us is giving the d40 a workout on space! :D
got some nice detail there too :D

congrats mate :thumbsup:

[iceman]

Excellent result, Chris! Great first up effort!

[Omaroo]

Thanks David! :)

I have another session planned where I'll try to vary the timing a lot more. Great fun though!

[Omaroo]

Thanks Mike. I really need to bone up on asto-related post processing. It's a whole new ball game for me. Still - keeps us off the streets..... :thumbsup:

[matt]

Well done, Chris:thumbsup:

Didn't know you had a mak-newt, now that you have changed that lengthy equipment sig of yours:P:lol:

So many scopes.....so little time:rofl:

[Omaroo]

Cheers Matt - :)

No, I don't have a Mak Newt, so call it "rented".

How's the Mewlon hunt going?

[matt]

:rofl:

Slowly...very slowly...as you know only too well!!!

I wish I was like you, financially....shoot first...ask questions later...

but alas...;)

[Dr Nick]

Tracking looks a little off, but its still a great image with lots of detail and contrast! ;)

[Omaroo]

Thanks Nick

Yep - I agree wholeheartedly. The balance was off a bit on RA, and I only really found out at the end of the night after downloading to a PC and seeing the images at full size and then going back to the scope to physically check. I'm doing it all again on the 12 of December, and will get the balance perfect BEFORE I start the session this time...... :(

[Alchemy]

Why ? iwould stick with just long ones unless you need to fill in burned out areas.

pic nice too

[Ric]

Hi Chris, that is a beauty for your first go. Nice colour and detail as well.

Looking forward to more.

Cheers

[Omaroo]

Thanks everyone. I'll get it better next time - that's learning! :)

[Garyh]

Good one Chris! :thumbsup:
If you have a nice dark sky I would go for nice deep exposures especially with a unmodded camera. 5-6 min at iso 800 and f/4 and lots of them.
cheers and CS