M8

[Tandum]

This is really a photoshop test for me. It's a composite of 14 x 120sec and 7 x 300sec images all at iso1600. I think they may be a little out of allignment, not much.

The idea is to use the 2 minute images where the 5 minute images would be burnt out and use the 5 minute images for detail. Clouds rolled in at 9pm and imaging stopped so only 7 x 300sec images. It probably needs a brighter object or longer exposures to make a bigger difference.

Is it worth the effort :shrug: ... not on M8 :)

[edit] Added m8a that has been sharpened with a mask :thumbsup:

[renormalised]

I think it's worth it....M8 looks quite fine to me. I only had a cursory check but they looked aligned to me.

[AlexN]

Nice shots Robin! :) number 2 is a stunner! great detail in the darker patches around the lagoon!

Seems that CLS filter is paying off!! :D

[Tandum]

Ya think. I was hitting sky fog with 300sec@800, that has at least doubled with the filter but check out a raw file attached. I'm desperately trying to find a decent tool to get the colour balance back. Damn hard to fix in PS. Easy to fix the raw files in PS with Camera Raw but the stacked colour ones aren't as easy.

You got that eq6 yet?

[AlexN]

nah suffering like hell without it still.... York (and I quote) "cant provide an accurate ETA for the time being. Quoted price still stands."

DAAAMMNNN IIIT!!!!!

[Tandum]

So August it is like me .... Hate to say I told ya so but :)

[Garyh]

Not bad for 1600 iso shots. :thumbsup:
5min subs at iso 1600 sounds way to long for a f/5-f/6 scope for M8, I think you would get nicer results with a heap at say 3min instead or drop back to iso 800..
cheers Gary

[Matty P]

A good result Robin, the extra work is definitely worth it.

Well done.

[RB]

G'day Robin, that's a very nice result and the extra work seems to have paid off.
I really prefer the first one though.

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to use PS Camera Raw to adjust a stacked lossless image. :D

[bluescope]

First image looks good to me Robin .......

:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Cheers guys, these photoshop masks are a really handy tool but they do need a lot of time to get right. That 2nd image looks alot better here at home than it does there. There it looks noisey around the outside. I also thought I might try for a custom white balance to go with this CLS filter. That might be the easy way out of my balance nightmare :)

[AlexN]

CWB is a fine idea indeed... :) should clear up any issues you're having with color balance...

[AlexN]

hate to talk about spending cash and all as its so very close to tax time and all.. but you may at some stage want to invest in a MPCC (coma corrector)

Its not by any means bad, but to the corners of your image i just noticed the stars take on a "warp 9" sort of look... Maybe only warp 2... I've seen coma MUCH MUCH worse, so maybe not even worry about it just yet....

Also, in the bottom corners of the images, there is 2 little red triangles? what are they from?

[Tandum]

Bottom left and right, that's the focuser tube. I remounted it on Saturday. Cheap **** it is.
Tax time is tuesday, I've got it almost sorted and it's looking good. I'll be fixing coma with a new vixen scope :)

[AlexN]

Vixen VMC200L Here you come ay! :) must be stoked...

[Tandum]

Nope, VC200L and have asked for a price on the VMC260L, but I'm expecting around $4K on that one which is out of the question. A side by side mount is in the mail as well.

[AlexN]

Even better.. wont have to worry about dew forming on the frontal element... :)

When these damn EQ6's finally get here we'll have to find a dark spot to set up and have a joint imaging session!

[Tandum]

Your on ... but I still don't want my EQ6 till August. July will be a big bill month for me. Rates, School Fees, Tax, BAS, new scope, you name it, I'm paying it in July :(

[AlexN]

But you've got your HEQ5 to do you till then.. Untill I get my mount, if i attach my dslr to my scope i get very narrowfield star trails... Not exciting! :D

[Tandum]

Did you see the latest on Andrews web site ->
=Special packages with EQ6PRO in place of HEQ5PRO=
You could get a new scope and an EQ6 now :thumbsup:

PROMAK150 A$1799 with an eq6pro

Bintel have the eq6pro alone back at $1995.

[AlexN]

but who wants a promak150??? 6" mak vs 8" newt - Newt wins! :)

If it were a 180 7" mak it might be worth it...

Do andrews have stock though?

[AlexN]

besides, next scope for me is a GSO/Skywatcher 12" F/5 Newt.

[Tandum]

PROMAK180 EQ6PRO SynScan in place of HEQ5PRO SynScan only A$2199

You'd need to talk to them regards stock.