First light with a modded 350D

[Tilt]

Hi Guys,

I just had to do it and have my 350D modified by Eric (quick and reliable service :thumbsup:). As per usual the clouds arrived in force, so I had to wait a while until they pushed off just for few hours.

The moon was around 80% and illuminating everything, but I just had to give it a go. With a FL of 480mm I placed a few objects into the field of view, the Eta Carina Complex and NGC 3293 (Gem Cluster). The image could have used flats but overall for a quick go I'm quite happy with the result

Image:
12 x 300 sec (ICNR on)
ISO 800

Gear:
Canon 350D (modified)
ED80 + WO 0.8x flattener/reducer
EQ6 + PHD guiding

Processing:
Stacked in DSS
Levels and Curves in CS3

If you have a DSLR and you are considering having it modified, I say do it :)

Michael

[Les Tilly]

Good results michael not sure i would leave the in camera noise on, you should take separate darks so you can use them on other images at the same temp range but very nice results :)

Les

[CoolhandJo]

Nice colours and contrast

[Tilt]

Thanks Les.

Yes that's what I'm planning on doing next time, leaving ICNR off and taking darks myself, I always used ICNR with the 350D and I'm keen to see how I go.

Michael

[multiweb]

nice...way to go Michael! :thumbsup: Super shot! :)

[Tilt]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments.

Michael

[RB]

A lovely shot Michael, you'll love the modded camera.
And I agree, take darks instead of ICNR.

:thumbsup:

[Tilt]

Thanks Andrew. I will increase the duration between subs in Images Plus camera control so I have enough time to stick the lens cap on for the darks, is this the way it's usually done?

Michael

[iceman]

Usually they would take darks at the end, not between each light. But you need to make sure your darks are taken at the same temperature as your lights, otherwise they just won't match up and you'll end up with black spots in your nebula.

I'd love to be able to use darks instead of ICNR but the results have always been better with ICNR, for me.

[RB]

Like Mike said I do them at the end or if the temp is changing I'll stop the lights and do a run of darks and then resume the lights.

I use around 15 sec rest between shots, to allow the sensor to cool a little and let everything settle, but it adds up in the end, I may cut the rest time back a little.

Also are you using Mirror Lock up?
This helps too.

:thumbsup:

[Tilt]

Ahh ok, unfortunately I may have to take them while imaging, the ambient temp usually falls steadily here in Canberra during the night. Especially during winter /freeze



Yep, I'm using Mirror Lock up. I currently have the rest time between shots set in IP at 10 sec. Thanks for all the info, depending on how the temp is on the night I will take them at the end or during the run.

Michael

[Garyh]

Nice Result Michael! Once you have a modded DSLR you never look back!
With the darks I usually do a few at the beginning of the session and a few at the end of the session. I meridian combine them when calibrating them with the lights and flats.
cheers Gary

[EzyStyles]

Hi Michael great result! its nice to see first light and thanks for your kind comments also. can't wait to see more. I personally have missed imaging heaps.

leave ICNR off. take a series of different exposure dark sets ranging from different tempreture to different ISO. When you take your next iamge, record the actual tempreture reading, exposure and ISO then subtract from your records.

[Tom Davis]

Really pretty!! Great result and congrats on the new camera!

Tom

[Tilt]

That sounds like the go, thanks Gary.



Eric, thank you very much for providing the modding service. I almost fell off my chair when the first sub was sent to my desktop from the imaging rig outside :) The difference between before and after modification is significant and well worth it, all I need now is the practice with data collection and processing.

Michael

[jjjnettie]

Very nice!
So glad you're happy with the mod.

[Tilt]

Thanks for the comments, and yes, very happy with the mod.

Michael

[aworley]

Hi Michael,

Very nice!! Looking forward to more....

Alex

[Tilt]

Thanks Alex, I cant wait to capture more light.

Michael

[Octane]

On ya Michael,

There's no stopping you now.

Do you attend the Canberra Astronomical Society meetings? I don't really know of anyone else doing DSLR imaging around here. Would be nice to meet up.

Regards,
Humayun

[Tilt]

Hi there Humayun! No I haven't attended any Canberra Astro Society meetings before, always imaging/processing or observing if I have spare time :lol:

It would be great to catch up, Prickly (David) is another local and we usually meet up on weekends for imaging.

Michael

[Prickly]

Hi Michael,

First class image and having seen it close up the detail gets even better on zooming in! Next well have to try the GSO ED barlow x2.

Theres some great tips from everyone here and well have to try a few of these out in future sessions. I really like the idea of a bank of darks at different temps (although we might need quite a range here in Canberra!).

Humayun - well have to keep a closer eye on the CAS meetings. It would be great to catch up.

Cheers
David