Deep Sky Stacker vs Imagesplus

[Matty P]

Now that I have started to stack images my DSO images and that it has been cloudy for the past few days. I've had a lot of time to think to myself. I was just wondering out these two stacking programs, which one is better?

I've started out using DSS and am very happy with it but would like to know if Images plus is any better.

I know that DSS is free and Imagesplus isn't but is paying a couple of dollars really worth it?

I see that many people use DSS and Imagesplus but want to know which one people think is the best overall in terms of ease of use and functions.

Looking forward to your comments. :thumbsup:

[garymck]

Deep sky stacker is very nice to use, Images plus is more fiddly to use. Imagesplus, to me at least, doesn't seem to do any more than DSS in the calibration/stacking area. Images plus is, of course a full fledged image processing program and does much, much more than DSS.

Imagesplus is a favourite program of many people, but you can get results just as good with Iris, which is free.

my 2c
Gary

[leon]

Matty, although I haven't used DSS, but do have Image Plus, and although there is probably many other types of processing software around, I have found Image Plus really value for money, so to speak.

However it will cost more than a few dollars as you mentioned earlier, probably closer to 200 plus dollars.

I'm sure some more experienced members will step in here, but I am very happy with the program I'm using.

Leon

[Matty P]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Just a quick question,

Does Imagesplus have any kind of camera control system?

[leon]

Yes Matty Image Plus dose have Camera Control, and Focusing control as well, not that i use them, but others may be able to help you here.

Leon

[Alchemy]

Gday Matty

I havent used imags plus, BUT. have not needed too Deep sky stacker is free and works well . Its the rest of the process that causes trouble.

With your exposures, pay attention to temp if using a dslr... it makes a huge difference. Calibrate with dark frames accordingly. Plus Flats (most important)

The biggest problem people have is the processing. You have to turn the dim image into a bright and clean one. This is where most images fall over, and takes time and practice to learn.

[Geoff45]

I have IP, which I mainly use for focusing, raw conversion, calibration and stacking. Then I go to Photoshop. IP has camera control, but I prefer to use the programmable Canon hand controller and leave the images on the camera for later downloading. The trouble with IP is that the updates are quite expensive--no free updates, so as time goes on, you shell out quite a lot of money. Recently I've bought a copy of Nebulosity (http://www.stark-labs.com/nebulosity.html) which is a lot cheaper than IP (Only $US45) and which seems to do everything that I normally do in IP, but I haven't tried it in the field yet.
Geoff

[garymck]

Tried both, with my QHY8 Deepskystacker over compensates flat fields and creates an image that looks like no flats have been used, ImagesPlus processes perfectly...

my2c

Gary

[Tilt]

Just a quick question. I have a 350D and only discovered that other than the Canon supplied USB cable I have, I will also require a long exposure serial cable to take 'bulb' exposures. Is this correct?

[iceman]

Yes Michael, that's correct.

I have both. The Canon USB is for downloading the image and some settings. The long exposure serial cable is for controlling the camera in bulb mode.

[Tilt]

Thanks for confirming that Mike.

Do you know if I will be able to obtain the required cable locally, or will I have to look to the US for this?

[iceman]

I'm not sure of any shop that sells them locally - I got mine made by a friend. You could try posting a WANTED ad for someone to make you one? Or look O/S.

[Terry B]

The other choice for stacking etc is Iris and it is free.

[Tilt]

Essentially, with ImagesPlus I'm going to use the camera control component for the 350D. I would like to set up the gear in the back yard, with the camera plugged into the notebook running IP. Meanwhile, I want to be inside using the desktop watching the frames as they come in - I will be able to connect to the notebook outside via wireless. The notebook is old, and cannot process images like the desktop can :thumbsup:

[ozstockman]

If your notebook is old and you'll try to contol it wirelessly via remode desktop software it will be very slow. With 802.11 b/g network cards and a signal strength less than 90-100% you will have to wait a while to see what's going on on your laptop. It can be better with 802.11N cards with signal at 100% but I don't think it will be as good as when you access your laptop directly.
I had the same idea in mind for contoling autoguiding and imaging via remote desktop over 802.11g connection and found out that sometimes it can be so slow so it starts annoing you.

re to your question about a cable for long exposures look at my post here http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=339123

It's not about cables for your camera but you can get a cheap lcd timer for your 350D and won't need to use cables or your laptop for your camera at all.

cheers,

Mike

[Tilt]

Hmm, you have a point there Mike. Say if I wanted to use Mirror Lock Up and ICNR from the custom functions on the 350D, will that still work ok with one of these remote controls?

[ozstockman]

as far as I know there is no ICNR in 350D even if you install russian firmware. I believe this function isn't available in 300D/350D/400D/450D models.

re mirror lookup, I am not quite sure either. I used it a couple of times in my 300D but gave up as I could see any advantages when it's used with slow scope imaging DSOs.

I guess a mirror lock up is a part of a camera operation and you cannot control it via software or remote. If you install this firmware you'll be able turn mirror lockup on in your camera settings and use it. The only thing I think software can do in regards to mirror lock up is to set some delay which gives a camera some time to get mirror up before it opens a shutter.

cheers,

Mike

[asterisk]

OPT have the cable you are asking about:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=319-327-331-8452

I have also heard that Bintel can supply it, but I can't find it on their website.

Cheers

[Tilt]

I made one last night, works well.