2 versions of M45

[gregbradley]

I shot M45 this time last year with the Tak BRC250 and an Apogee U16M camera using Astronomik filters.

This year I used the same Tak BRC250 but this time a FLI Proline 16803 (I swapped over from Apogee to FLI) and Baader filters. Also this year I had a FLI PDF focuser (not sure if that was used in last years - it may have been).

I processed the latest version separately but also combined last years data with this years.

Of interest the latest data has way sharper stars - FWHM of as low as 1.7 arc seconds which is tight. Last years were more like 5-8 FWHM.
Perhaps that was also the focuser but I think also the Baader filters are sharper with less reflections than the Astronomik (not latest low reflection version). Perhaps also the FLI Proline is sharper although I don't know that this is the factor.

Anyway.

M45.

Latest version is

LRGB 50 60 40 40

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/118087346/original

The combined version is;

LRGB 110 90 70 70

http://upload.pbase.com/image/118087554

Processing is similar although not the same.

Greg.

[DavidU]

Greg the LRGB 50 60 40 40 is fantastic. I think it's the best M45 I have seen from an amature
Really well done mate

[toryglen-boy]

Congrats Greg, that image is an absolute triumph, and i do mean that most sincerely

what a beauty

;)

[TheDecepticon]

Very well done!:thumbsup: Anything with more than just red is for me!:eyepop:

[strongmanmike]

Both excellent examples Greg.

The stars are tighter in the new version with less obvious reflection halos but the fine detail is more delineated in the combined effort.

One thing to watch though is the transition from dust to space, at the outer edge of the dust this transition looks a little abrupt, otherwise top effort, that scope is really performing on this target for sure.

Incidentaly, the new low reflection Astronomiks are superb. I have now taken 10 images with them, both broadband and narrow band and I have not seen a single out of field star reflection nor any large halos around stars, the out of field star rays were quite a worry before as they appeared in lots of my images, so I am very happy about this seeming to be a thing of the past (fingers crossed).

Mike

[multiweb]

Both great shots Greg! :thumbsup: If I had to choose I'd say the new combined version is sharper and holds more fine data.

[gregbradley]

High praise - thank you very much David.





Yes plenty of blue in there.



Thanks Mike. Yeah the blue filter had a definite and abrubt end to the data on the right side. I've seen this effect before occassionally - the Horsehead data had some of that. I wonder what causes that. I did work to lessen that transition but a bit still shows through. Not sure where its coming from or why it occurs. Perhaps I should try assigning the colours in Photoshop channels and see how that works out although the blue exposures do have a sharpish edge.

That's good about the new Astronomiks. Reflections are a pain. The Baaders performed well here. The Proline 16803 performed marvellously with a flawless chip and practically zero noise, very fast downloads, fast and powerful cooling, very clean electronics - what a camera eh?
The Apogee U16M is a fabulous camera but the Proline is noticeably better in almost every way except weight).

Greg.

[gregbradley]

I've now sold this magnificent scope to Geoff, so hope to see some future images from his hands with the Tak beast.

Greg.

[CoolhandJo]

Very nice to these quality images compared. Thanks for posting both. I favour the baader set.

[Hagar]

Hi Greg, Both images do it for me. The Baader filters seem to reduce the reflections a bit more, me thinks. The combined image has real depth and almost looks like it is behind a glass panel. I personally would like to see more saturation, deeper blue but that's just me. The background could also be a bit blacker but again thats just me.

A pair of wonderful images. I don't see much between the two cameras.
Looking forward to seeing more like this.
Well done. Thanks.

[bokglob]

very very nice greg. love your work:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Yes I think the Baader filters are the better.



I used to be a bit heavy handed with saturation now I hold myself back a bit as I got a lot of comments about it in the past. Also there was a problem with the blue on the right side having a hard ending.

Both the Apogee U16M and FLI Proline 16803 are magnificent cameras.
FLI has better standard and faster cooling, faster downloads, a better shutter, slightly cleaner electronics but it is 1.5lbs heavier. The Apogee looks better, has the option of the DO9 body upgrade for US$2000 which cools the hardest -75C below ambient and takes 30 minutes to do it, it has a built in mask to reduce reflections (the Proline may as well - not sure). Either are a great camera. It was mainly the extra cooling that is fast that was the main selling point for me as I want -35C all year round and I should be able to do that with the Proline.
Greg.




Thank you very much for that!

[Peter Ward]

There is a real "snap" to that image. Nicely done :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Yep they sure do, standard now I think? Since upgrading to the new low reflection Astronomiks filter set though it appears I won't need the mask upgarde as I haven't seen any internal refections in all 10 images since the filter upgarde :shrug: (touch wood).



It's great, I have been able to use -35C every single imaging sesssion now for over two years. I don't think a 75 delta C is necessary unless you live somwhere that is regularly hotter than +25C at night and even then you could just go to a blisteringly warm... -30C instead :lol:.

Mike

[gregbradley]

That cooling power is hard to beat. I am happy with this Proline, its a high performer.

Greg.

[iceman]

Wonderful examples of imaging right there Greg.

Beautiful.

[h0ughy]

wow, one shot i never tire of, nice work - prefer the first shot with tighter stars

[gregbradley]

Thanks Mike. See you next weekend.



Thanks Houghy. Yes tight stars rule.

[Tom Davis]

Nice image Greg! One of these years I need to redo M45. Winter is terrible image season for me though.

Tom

[AlexN]

Sensational. I like the second one...

Really good work indeed... Its a tough target this one, but you've pulled it off nicely.

[Jeffkop]

Great image Greg. From the faint to the bright all perfect and all together make a grand vista. Cant wait to try that scope myself.

[Paul Haese]

Superb image, wow nice work.

[gregbradley]

I know how a bad season goes - my site has improved over the last few months but overall its been a poor year for weather there.



Thanks Alex. Yes it is a toughy.



You'll do great Jeff.



Thanks Paul.

Greg.