First light Canon 70-200mm f4L lens - Crux

[dugnsuz]

Hello all...
Last night finally cleared up long enough to try out this lens - Canon 70-200mm f4L with the 40D.

Imaged Southern Cross and Coalsack

FL=70mm @ f5.6
iso 400
11x300sec, 6x600sec (1hr55mins total)
Autoguided via PHD and 80mm Achromat.
Stacked in ImagesPlus, tweaked in PS.

The lens is sharp to the edges! The attached image is a crop so you'll just have to believe me!!:P
Very impressed with "L" glass so far.

This lens is going to form the heart of my imaging set up for the near future, sold the ED80 a few weeks ago to concentrate on widefield stuff.
Also bought a 1.4x extender to push this lens a bit - hope that works out!

I've uploaded a very large file too 1Mb+, so broadband is a must to view.
[IMG=http://dl106.filemojo.com/files/tn/921/021910926673159/th_Crux-Large.jpg] (http://www.filemojo.com/021910926673159/Crux-Large.jpg)

Cheers for having a look!
Doug:thumbsup:

ps...also was first time out for my side by side setup. Tracking looks pretty good to me!:)

[skwinty]

Very very nice Doug, I wish you many happy hours with your new lens.
Was it very expensive?:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Not too bad Steve, an ebay success story!
$660AU As New etc etc!
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Antu]

Very nice image ! This lens from Canon is excellent, once you've got L-glass you'll never accept anything else :) Too dangerous for your wallet :)

[Zuts]

Great image Doug. I would love to have a collection of the various constelations in widefield.

When you say eBay, do you mean one of the hong kong sellers?

Paul

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for the comment

Widefield imaging is my passion - and it's less critical of the gear!!!!!

No Paul - managed to get a decent 2nd hand one (there are a couple going at the moment I think), If I hadn't won this lens I would have probably gone for one of the HK retailers, cheapest price is around $740AU inc postage I've seen.

:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

:lol::lol:

[madtuna]

Doug I have the 40D and the same lens. I'd be very interested in your opinion with the extender when you get a chance. :D

[madtuna]

hehehe I got the other one :)

[dugnsuz]

Hope to have it soon - bought it today!
The review sites seem to love it...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=118&sort=7&cat=31&page=1

(albeit for daylight work - wierdos!!!!:lol::lol::lol:)

This one is good - photo examples.
Looks like it'll have to be stopped down a bit to get crisp stars!
http://photo.net/equipment/canon/tc1/

...the 2x TC looks like it sucks!

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[madtuna]

Thanks mate..having as read now.

I've only had my lens a few days so haven't given it a decent shake down yet. Very impressed so far though...it dwarfs my old 90 -300

[iceman]

Looks very nice, Doug! A lovely image with a lovely lens.

[Lester]

Good one Doug.

One day I will get some L series lenses too.

[Garyh]

Great stuff Doug! :thumbsup:
Those L series lenses are nice hey!
Look forwards to seeing the results with the 1.4x extender as I would love to get one in the future!
cheers

[RB]

Beautifully done Doug, nice detail and very crisp.

Gotta love those L lenses hah ;)

[Tamtarn]

What's this !! No ED80............You've always loved the widefields Doug.

Fantastic first light mate :thumbsup: Keep them coming !!!

[dugnsuz]

Thanks,
Selling the ED80 was tough, but I've wanted to try this for a while.
Anyway it went to the good home of another IISer!
Going to try the 200mm end of the zoom next, and then with the 1.4x extender at 280mm!
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Alchemy]

wow !

[leon]

Doug that is a splendid image, ;) bet you are glad you went up that path, I like it a lot. :thumbsup: well done.

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Cheers leon - thanks mate.
I am trying to image Eta at 200mm tonight with a slightly cloudy sky and all I'm getting is milky white crapness!!! This lens needs absolute darkness!!!!
Doug!:thumbsup: