A couple of widefields at last!

[dugnsuz]

Hello all...
Last night was the first time in a long while that I've felt I've go into it!!

Canon 40D (modified)
Canon 70-200mm f4L lens, 70mm @ f5.6 iso800
Skywatcher Synscan EQ5 mount
Autoguided via PHD

Both images 12x300sec exposures, ICNR on
Stacked in ImagesPlus, processed in PS.

#1 - Head of the Scorpion
#2 - SMC and 47 Tuc

both a bit noisy, not as clean as I would like but let's face it anything you can get in a drought such as we have been experiencing (astro-wise) is welcome!!

Higher Res Versions...
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k461/doug-robertson/?action=view&current=Scorpius-Large.jpg
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k461/doug-robertson/?action=view&current=SMC-Large.jpg

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Prickly]

Both awesome shots Doug.

Very nice lens that one and you can see the very fine perfectly tracked stars. The uncompressed version must be sensational.

Where did you get your 40D modded? I havent seen too many modded 40Ds around yet.

Cheers
David

[strongmanmike]

I don't think it is the noise that is affecting these images but the jpeg compression, it's really noticable :(. You have invested some serious exposure in these too so it would be nice to see'em in higher res.

What can be appreciated though is the overall vista which is unique to a nice wide camera lens :thumbsup:

The SMC looks like a little ghost floating in the sky.

Mike

[Phil]

very nice Doug what is making the spikes on the star.
Phil

[dugnsuz]

At f5.6, the blades in the lens cause that effect I think Phil, they're absent at f4.
:thumbsup:

Cheers for all the comments - I've posted higher res versions today, forgot to last night:doh:

[dugnsuz]

Mod was done by Peter Tan in Hong Kong at a really reasonable price.
Here's a link to his site...
http://www.tan14.com/gears.htm
Cheers
:thumbsup:

[leon]

Nice going Doug, F/5.6 dosen't quite get there dose it, but I do agree with Mike on the possible noise issue, it seems more of that dreaded compression factor. :shrug:

However having said that I reckon you did a mighty fine job, I just love that wide field effect. ;)

Well done mate, now I'll go and process last nights effort and see if I can get anything worth posting :whistle:

Leon :thumbsup:

[rogerg]

Great shots :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Should've just left the lens wide open at f4, think I was on automatic "stop it down" mode with the camera lens.

[Jeffkop]

They are fantastic Doug ... the more I see of this widefield stuff the more I get interested in it myself. I have the unmodded 40D with the standard 17-85 lens. Wonder how that would shape up ?? ..Guess there is only one way to find out.

Noice photos

[leon]

Doug, yep.

Leon

[Matty P]

Lovely images Doug!

Perfect round stars and lots of detail.

Very well done. :)

[drmorbius]

Good stuff Doug :thumbsup:

I love the widefield shots...

[Prickly]

Thanks for the link Doug.

A modded 40D is an impressive bit of kit.

Using Michael (Tilts) canon L series lens weve found it copes quite well at full aperture. Certainly worth a go.

Cheers
David

[dugnsuz]

Cheers David,
I'm trying out my new Hutech LPS filter right now at f4!!

FYI Peter Tan is a decent, reliable guy to deal with - I was recommended him by other longtime IIS members. As I recall it cost me $238AU all up for postage/insurance there and back, replacement filter and modification itself - that was the cheapest I could achieve on the planet!!
Well worth an enquiry
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[Alchemy]

a couple of nice targets that really need a W...I....D....E angle to cover them fully particularly the scorpio area. Good to see you at it with enthusiasm again.

[RB]

Hey nice shooting there Doug !
Well done.

I agree though, leave that lens at f/4 mate, it can handle it I'm sure.
It's just habit to stop it down I know but give it a go at f/4.

:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

I tried the kit 17-85mm lens for some widefields, but it didn't cut it for me Jeff. Great for daytime use though - good FL range.



Thanks Matty - I had my mount up for sale (it didn't sell), but I'm not really fussed as the Synscan mounts seem to respond really well to autoguiding commands and the EQ5 works nicely at these focal lengths.



thanks - more on the way hopefully!:thumbsup:



Thanks Clive - just received a Hutech LPS filter yesterday so I'm gagging to try that out, and yeah, enthusiasm is a fitting word. It's funny how one's interest can ebb and flow in this hobby! Probably dictated more by the weather recently though!!!



Cheers Andrew - f4 all the way now;)

[Ric]

Great images Doug.

Fine work indeed.

Cheers

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Ric
Work indeed
Fine!?:P
Doug:):)

[winensky]

Love the scorpio shot. The aquisition time realy brings out the dark nebulae. Never realized just how close Tuc 47 was to the SMC. Thanks.

[spearo]

Nice widefields.
Both very nice, I thought i likes the eery quality of the SMC best at first, then thought I preferred the Scorpius shot, now I cant decide !
hahaha
well done!
frank