Eta with Canon 70-200mm f4L+ 1.4x Extender

[dugnsuz]

Hello all...
Most recent effort with my new Canon 70-200mm f4L lens with the Canon 1.4x extender.

Very happy with the quality this combo produces.

So, here is Eta Carina Nebula region with Canon 70-200mm f4L+ 1.4x Extender.

Canon 40D (unmodded yet!!!)
70 minutes total exposure time
FL = 280mm/f5.6 (448mm with1.6x crop factor)
iso 400
ICNR on

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[madtuna]

you've convinced me!

ordering an extender :)

[dugnsuz]

You wont regret it mate honestly!
Sharp to the edges with the extender at f5.6:D

[Craig_L]

Very nice. How long were the exposures?

Craig

[dugnsuz]

7x10mins Craig, a few of which were under a rising moon:mad2:

Autoguided - 80mm AOE achromat / ToUcam 840k / PHD.
Skywatcher SynScan EQ5 Mount.
Camera/Lens and Guidescope on Side by Side Plate

Stacked in IP
Processed in PS - Levels/Curves and one PS Action (Smaller Stars 10%) only!

[winensky]

Sharp as a tack and I can't believe what you are doing with an unmodded camera. I would love to see what you coud get with a modded and cooled one.

Kind regards
Matt

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Matt,
Hoping to mod the 40D soon.
It would be great to redo Eta again for comparison.
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[rogerg]

Very nice Doug, as others have said, very sharp. :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Roger,
That mug warmer came in handy!:lol:

[avandonk]

I must have missed this one. Looks really great. I never tire of this neb and that is why I use it as a test object. You will find the Canon 1.4X produces as good an image as the original lens or very close to it. You have to pixel peep to see the very slight difference. The Canon 2X does not at least for stellar images or very bright contrast as it introduces very slight CA and amplifies the CA of the lens.

This zoom should give you years of flawless service. Any L lens is highly weather resistant and dust sealed. This is very important with a zoom as some can pump in the dust as they zoom.

Again a wonderful deep image as I can see faint nebulosity that an unmodded camera should not normally record unless you have dark skies.

Bert

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Bert,
My skies in Hahndorf are quite dark - not pitch black by any means. A couple of these subs (3 I think) were taken with the moon shining through the trees too, so I think I have invested in a winner with this mini setup.

The short FL also hides the EQ5's tracking flaws nicely!
The lens isn't huge on my side by side plate either - a small footprint, weight-wise.

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[davewaldo]

Do you use the Canon Lens clamp/tripod mount Doug? Or do you find the setup is sturdy enough just mounted from the camera?

Dave

[dugnsuz]

I use the generic ebay "For Canon" tripod collar. It's a little snug on the lens so that the lock doesn't fully screw flush, but is still rock solid on the mount. ($20 v's $120 for genuine Canon model)
I bought one of these from Bintel to attach the collar, camera and lens to the dovetail of the side by side plate...
https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Images/Stock/7734X.jpg

I tried the Camera attached to this (no collar) with a smaller lens and it was reassuringly solid also.

Doug:thumbsup:

[davewaldo]

Thanks doug, thats good to know. :thumbsup:

[RB]

Great image Doug !
Excellent work.

Do you use the lens hood when shooting?
I highly recommend you use it at all times.
Also helps with the dew.

Also I'd recommend a clear filter for the lens to protect the front element at all times.

I use a good quality Hoya UV filter.

Keep up the good work.

:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Yes Andrew,
I use the lens hood, but I sold my hoya UV filter to sweeten the sale of my 17-85mm kit lens:screwy:
I could do with it now - I treat the lenses very carefully but accidents are accidents after all!
Doug:thumbsup:

[jase]

Good composition Doug. Colours look well balanced too. Keep them coming.

[Phil]

Great shot with a great lens. Well done
Phil

[avandonk]

If you leave the lens hood on when moving it will protect the front element from 'accidents'. Unless your UV filter is optically near flat/parallel it it will lower the lenses performance.

Bert

[Garyh]

Excellent result Doug, like everyones comments...very sharp and nicely saturated!
Oh I do want one...lol
cheers Gary

[Ric]

Lovely image Doug, very sharp and detailed.

[dugnsuz]

Thanks all - I have been enthused(!) by all your comments.
I hoped that I hadn't stuffed up by selling the ED80 to fund the purchase of this L lens and extender. Your comments have made me think that I've made the right decision - Thanks.
All the best
Doug

[Tamtarn]

Your image proves you made the right decision Doug it's a beauty. It must have been hard to take the plunge and go with the L lens.

We look forward to more to come.

[dugnsuz]

Thankyou B&D.
No, guys it's quite easy to spend money on nice gear!!!!;)
It's very nice to have a piece of equipment that behaves exactly as you want it to and the results it produces require minimal processing too!
Do you remember the trouble we had with CA etc with the pentax lenses and the processing troubles - this stuff is a joy in comparison, saying that I wouldn't trade the learning experience.
All the best - I look forward to your latest, you're continually improving and pushing the envelope!!
Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup: