What a difference a year makes

[KenGee]

While there is also some changes in gear. I think this does show how much can be learnt with this forums helps about astroimaging and processing.
Image a taken with a 132mm Williams refractor and Q8.
Image b was taken with a 250 RC with ST11000.
Image B should be better but my understanding or the art and processing has also helped.
I think I've come along way, but I still got many miles to go, before I can mix it with the best on this site. I know one thing though I'm going to love every minute.:thumbsup:

[leon]

Your right Ken, a year can make so much difference to all that we do, I often look back and see how far I have traveled, and learned

Leon

[AlexN]

great progression in one year ken.. both in processing and equipment..

A year ago I didnt own a single scope, and would have laughed at anyone claiming to be able to image planets or deep space objects...

Here I am, 9 months later, buried up to my teeth in scopes and cameras, imaging planets and deep sky objects as often as the sky allows... Its truly amazing what one can accomplish in one year if they put their mind to it...

By this time next year I hope to have one more mount and have built myself an RC (and or bought one like yours.. pricing parts to build one now)

[KenGee]

Sounds like the bug got you good and proper AlexN. Like the rest of us. This post got me thinking and a looked back even further and pullout this. Back from 11 years ago and my second ccd camera a Star light express m516 I think it was called.
Sadly I have lost my first camera files expect for the hard copies.:(

[AlexN]

Yeah mate... It stuck hard and fast in March last year.. was lucky enough to come into a bit of money mid year and went a little silly buying gear... :D

That not half bad for an 11 year old CCD image... I've looked back at some of my images even from september and I just have to laugh mate.... the differences in imaging skill and processing techniques is astounding... I didnt think I was capable of learning at this rate... :)

[Hagar]

Great improvement in both the image and the equipment list. Astrophotography is one form of photography where you can never know it all. No matter how good you become there is always a new imager or at least an image which is better. The bar is always lifting higher. Then again if you knew it all it would no longer be of any interest and we would probably give it all away.

Keep up the nice work. Keep learning and lets pass on that learning to someone somewhere.

[richardo]

Hi Kenny,
chalk and cheese there ol' son!
Image A is well blown out, image B is pristine, great colour and detailed to the core.

Makes a big difference when you know what works and what doesn't with processing for sure.
Helps with good, astro specific software, plus PS being a must imo.

If it's any consolation, I still have your old Hx516 I bought off you in 03 I think it was. I've been using it as my guider ccd for at least 3 years now. Sold it once, kicked myself for doing so, and then was lucky enough to buy it back just for guiding.
And she's still going great!:thumbsup:

Have a good year with your new gear.
Let's hope it's a good 'n'.

All the best
Rich

[spearo]

nice progression!
I love these comparisons!
frank