M8 and M104

[Tandum]

Looking at M104, 10minute subs @ iso1600 is too long for this canon (60minutes), it's pretty noisey but M8 with 5min subs @ iso1600 isn't too bad(60minutes). I think a lower iso and more data is on the cards for next time.

[iceman]

M8 is the pick of the bunch, but in both shots your focus is off.

How do you focus? Do you use the live-view of the 450D?

[Tandum]

Still coming to grips with live view. I used it early in the night to focus a star and locked the focuser. Was concentrating on how far you can push the camera tonight. I now know I need a 2nd battery and I can see why cooled cameras are the go, yet it's around 10C out there tonight.

[bluescope]

Lower ISO and more subs to stack is the way to go when using a dslr. The next important skill is processing the images. Eric Styles gets some amazing images at iso400 ... his processing skills are very good.

Good effort to start with anyway ! Practice makes perfect !

:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Eric certainly has some amazing pics on his web site and yes some times more isn't better. This was the pick from tonight, a red M8 this time with 6 x 5min @ 800 with no darks and I think M104 is just too far away for me :lol:

[AlexN]

Not bad, Not bad at all!! the 2nd M104 is a lot nicer, alot more of the edge is visible.. :)

Keep em coming!

[Matty P]

A good effort Tandum.

The second M8 is lovely, well done.

[Alchemy]

good effort Tandum, the lagoon Nebula frames very well with an 80mm refractor, the Sombrero is a tiny target even for most of the larger scopes and what youve captured is pretty consistent with most ive seen.

cheers Clive

[Tandum]

Thanks guys. M104 really is small for me, here's the full frame from that other cropped image. Funny how it's one object I can see through the eyepiece without much trouble. Been looking for M83 but haven't seen that one from here yet.