The Diamond Cluster (NGC 2516) in Carina

[Octane]

All,

This is all I imaged out at Belanglo the other night.

My first complete image taken with the splendid Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

I swore to myself I would never, ever, go above ISO-400 on a DSLR. However, I thought I'd see what was possible at ISO-800, bearing in mind how clean my terrestrial (wedding) photography come out at extreme ISOs (as well as my test Eta Carinae Nebula shot from the other day at ISO-1600). I have to say, I'm not disappointed.

This is a 4 hour presentation here and is a crop from the centre portion of the frame. This beautiful target would be well-suited to a longer focal length instrument.

Diffraction spike haters need not comment. ;)

Read and view here (http://members.optusnet.com.au/mrozycka/Belanglo/Belanglo_20091113_NGC_2516.html).

Regards,
Humayun

[TrevorW]

Nice one H what did you use for the diffraction spikes

[DavidU]

Gorgeous looking field H. Great processing. That APO and 5D mk11-G11 are going to do some serious damage !!!
Love the spikes BTW.

[rat156]

Hi H,

Perhaps I shouldn't comment?

Why such a long exposure on a star cluster?

I could understand if you wanted to get some nebulosity that is surrounding the area, but I didn't see any.

Cheers
Stuart (straining not to comment about the ...)

[Octane]

Trevor,

Cheers. Cotton thread. It was something Mike Sidonio recommended about 3 or so years ago but never got to try until Friday.



David,

Thank you, sir. Yeah, I'm almost tempted to sell the 40D now, hah!



Stuart,

Bite it, bite it! ;)

Why the long exposure? Why not? Us paupers with DSLRs need to take lots of exposures to flatten out the noise in the sky background. There is an immense difference, in my experience, between taking a handful of exposures, and a crapload of them. It was also a test of the camera to see how it would handle at ISO-800. I am pleased to say that in the high resolution original file, there is virtually no perceptible noise in the background. Taking dark frames immediately after the imaging session may have something to do with that. Also, it was just above 0 degrees out there that night. That would play a big part, too.



Cheers, boys.

Regards,
Humayun

[Hagar]

Nice H, very nice. Background is as smooth as a babies bum.

Not sure about the difraction spikes though. It's a refractor. LOL

[TrevorW]

Got to go with diffraction spikes on open clusters otherwise quite dull

[Octane]

Doug,

Thanks, and, lol! Cheeky! :)

Refer to reply to Trevor below.



Trevor,

That's why I do it. I think only the largest open clusters are worth doing this on. The Pleiades sans spikes... nah. Don't like it. Well, it's great for showcasing nebulosity, but, I don't see how the spikes interfere. Yes, OK, I agree, my last attempt at M45 was pretty bad with the thick spikes. It would turn out a lot better with thin ones. Looking forward to trying again.



Cheers.

Regards,
Humayun

[strongmanmike]

Lovely work Humi, the extra exposure time has paid off with a velvet smooth look but not plastic...those star spikes do look like software induced ones though..? Cotton you say huh? ;)

Mike

[multiweb]

That's a beauty Humayun. The framing and processing are tops. Lovely star colors. Love the spikes. You have to have diffraction spikes. No doubt about that. :thumbsup:

[sjastro]

I'm not usually a fan of open clusters but this one stands out Humayun.

Regards

Steven

[lacad01]

Beautiful work Humayun. So clear. Can't wait to get some decent skies so I can have a peak at this cluster :)

[Ric]

Very nice Humayun, I like everything about it.

Poor old clusters tend to be forgotten at times but they do produce such classic images.

Cheers

[bluescope]

Looks very nice to me Humayun ... makes me want to attach my 5D Mark II to the FLT110 when I get back home and on my feet again ... keep it up ... and I see nothing wrong with long exposures on clusters ... they are beautiful objects ;)

:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

A lovely capture. Very aesthetic.

Greg.

[Octane]

Mike,

Thanks, Mike. :)

I know what you mean about the spikes looking like they've been induced. I will be careful in future to mask my curves so they don't highlight the spikes that much. And, yep, finally, followed your advice and used cotton. :)



Marc,

Cheers, matey. All other images I had seen of this object had the cores of the cluster in the middle. I intentially cropped the image in this fashion because those beautiful outer stars really do add a dynamic to the field.



Steven,

I'm pleased it meets your approval. :)



Adam,

Cheers, buddy. It looks really pretty through a scope, too. The cluster really sticks out naked eye, too. Can't miss it.



Ric,

Cheers, and, I agree. :)



Steve,

Thanks! Long exposures for me mean velvet smooth and inky-black backgrounds devoid of noise.



Greg,

Thanks, mate. :)



Thanks, everyone!

Regards,
Humayun

[Garyh]

Lovely Humayan! beautifully framed and those star colors are to die for!
:thumbsup:

[glenc]

WOW! :thumbsup: NGC 2516 looks like a camel in my 20x80s.

[TrevorW]

H

I notice the difference between yours on mine albiet 2 hrs expsoure difference that a dark sky site really makes, you've been able to bring out the blue and star colour far better and have a cleaner background both of which significantly improve upon the image.

Cheers