Lagoon with Canon 40D and ED80

[Robert_T]

Hi All,

First image for quite a while. Gradually getting the polar alignment and PEC improved bit by bit.

For this image I pushed the ISO up to a 1000 to see how it would go and try and get away with 200s lights instead of 300s - I have a much better success rate autoguiding for 200s.

It came out quite a bit noisier than I expected. I generally run 800ISO anyway, but this seems noticably noisier and not worth the slight increase in speed.

Anyway here it is. Best 13 of 15 x 200s lights with 40D (unmodified) WO 0.8x focal reducer, YO ED80. I applied darks and flats and processed in Images Plus. Cropped and tweaked up in photoshop. I feather selected the centre and brought out the red.

Comments and advice welcome.

cheers,

Rob

[Hagar]

Hi Rob. You do have a little noise to deal with. The 40D seem to have a much better signal to noise ratio when used at 800ISO but there are a few things you can do if you are going to use higher ISO figures. I hope you don't mind, I have taken a copy of your image and run it through Noiseware on the default setting. You can download a copy of NoisewareCE off the net free at http://www.imagenomic.com/download.aspx Scroll to the bottom of the page. The standard version is very cheap and has more features.

I made no other changes to this image. Hope this helps.

[AlexN]

Nice shot Robert, great focus....

Doug's noiseware idea seems to have paid off nicely!

[jase]

Good Stuff Rob. As Doug points out...A few noise reduction tweaks and shaazzam - a super image. Colours look good and some nice details on display. Keep them coming.

[Robert_T]

Thanks Guys, and a special thankyou to Doug! that's a great tip that noisewear link.:thumbsup:

cheers,

Rob

[dugnsuz]

Yeah Rob just a bit noisy (dealt with), but very cool shot - centre it next time!;) (like I'm the expert!!!)
Well done mate
Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

ps... I heard you should stick to the standard iso settings 200,400,800,1600 as the intermediate steps are software based and less worthy!!!!!
Now I'll probably be hung out to dry but I remember that from an Astro or Photography forum somewhere!?
Any comments anyone???
Doug

[cookie8]

This is a wonderful link. Thanks Doug for this Noiseware tips. I downloaded the freebee & it works like magic. Yeeeeepie!!!!:rofl:

[AlexN]

I've heard this and also seen the effects.... I always stick to the standards.

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Alex - wasn't too sure of me fax!!!

[Dennis]

A very nice image Robert and I agree with the other comments - Doug's noise reduction has improved it remarkably. Top job.

Cheers

Dennis

[spearo]

very nice
well done
frank

[Robert_T]

Cheers Guys, another great tip to stick to standard iso settings...:thumbsup: that would certainly explain why 1000 is no much more noisy than 800. I might give a try either side on 800 and 1600 and see how it compares. cheers, Rob

[Matty P]

Nice result Rob, very sharp and good colour.

Well done.

[Hagar]

Hi Rob, Glad the link was of help. Another little thing. If you had moved the scope a bit youmay well have fitted both Lagoon and Trifid nebulas in the one shot. It is possible when you are using the 0.8 WO reducer/flattener. I actually fluked it one evening.

[skeltz]

Looking good there rob,keep it up!
cheers

[Prickly]

Hi Rob,

Thats a terrific shot.

We've found the in camera noise reduction on the 350D works really well. Saves mucking about with darkframes etc. Takes a little longer but the end result is worth it. When you stack a lot even at high ISO the grain can be pretty acceptable (Michael {Tilt} taken a great shot recently which I hope he posts that proves this beyond doubt). We also use the mirror lock up function too.

Congratulations.

David

[Robert_T]

Thanks David - I use Images Plus camera control and it doesn't allow using the mirro lockup so I use liveview. I'll have to give the ICNR a go again one clear night. I find when there's any chance of cloud about I'd rather get all my lights out of the way while the gettings good... also have a limited horizon and the short imaging windows favour the darks. Do you know if the ICNR works with the highest 3200ISO setting? cheers, Rob





Thanks Doug, yeh I actually fluked that myself a while back - it's one of my better pics actually... a very pleasing combo . I thought I'd try the other side of the lagoon for this one;)

[Tandum]

This is worth a read Rob -> http://www.astrosurf.com/~buil/eos40d/test.htm

He has tested 40D sensitivity and this page shows ISO 100 on the 40D gives the same results as ISO 400 on a 400D and 20D. I think, if you can read between the french, that he is saying they have cranked up the sensor gain in the 40D by a factor of 4.

[Prickly]

Hi Rob,

I had thought that the mirror lockup did work in images plus. Weve been using images plus camera control for the 350D. Maybe we've just been leaving a few secs delay after the image has been taken. Michael (Tilt) has been doing most of this and could tell you.

I really am not sure about this ICNR at 3200 but I believe Michael was using this with 1600 fine. Compared to our early attempts theres just no comparison with ICNR on.

I think Michael was leaving a few secs between images too to let the chip cool (which would be pretty quick here in Canberra at the moment!!)

Cheers
David

[Tilt]

When running ImagesPlus with the 350D, I use ICNR and Mirror Lock Up at ISO1600. I just set both of these functions in the camera itself within the custom functions, or I think if you just check the boxes in the 'Bulb Capture' tab in ImagesPlus it will set them in the camera anyway. As the others have mentioned here, have a go with a standard ISO setting and see what you get.

Michael

[RB]

Very nice capture Robert.
As others have said stick to the standard ISO settings, also I wouldn't recommend going higher than ISO800.
At most ISO1600 if your really have to, depending on the object.

The 40D is a great camera and it's (14 bit) sensitivity is a real bonus over the older models.

Another thing to watch out for is when using NR programs that you don't go overboard with the NR, I've seen many images with the dreaded 'plastic' look because people have applied too much NR.
Doug did a very nice job on yours. :thumbsup:

[Tilt]

Agreed, I will knock it back down to ISO800 as soon as I get a guide camera :thumbsup:

[Robert_T]

Thanks Guys,

Robin, that's a great article, but it's left me confused... it seems to be saying first that the 40D is more sensitive than the 400D then that this gain is only apparent?

David, I'll have to try the tip of leaving an interval to allow chip to cool. I'm a little stumped about the mirror lockup. When I set it in the camera and go to release the exposure in Images Plus it comes up with a message saying to turn off mirror lockup and turn on live view instead. I'm using the latest version that works with the 40D...maybe it assumes because I have live view I'd use it. Hmmm wonder if it's the same with the 450D.

cheers,

Rob

[Dr Nick]

Nice shot, and thanks, Doug for that link, it seems to work very well, I'll have to try it... ;)