Orion Nebula - WO FLT132 first light

[blueskies123_89]

Hi All,

Here's the first light image of my new FLT132 (thanks Gary). It's cropped more than I would like because images didn't line up very well between the nights. Camera is the 400D and mount is EQ6

5hr 40min worth 10min subs at 200ISO
Darks and flats were applied.

I also did a 20/80 blend with old OIII data (10hr, 10min sub, 400ISO) from an Orion ED80. SO it is a L+OIII R G+OIII B+OIII.

Thanks for looking, please be kind, its only the first image with the scope :)

George

[AlexN]

I'll be as kind as possible...

That is a tremendously good image of M42! The FLT132 is really strutting its stuff there! Not to mention the great processing...

Really really nice George..

[blueskies123_89]

Ah, that is very kind of you Alex!

I'm sorry, criticisms are also welcome, of course! :)

[AlexN]

I suppose I could help out with criticism too... It would be a real nit pick though... The darker areas (mostly bottom left and top right) could do with a very light noise reduction.. even a selective blur on the noisy areas could do the trick..

Other than that, I'll run through my checklist...
Guiding - Great
Focus - Great
detail - lookin good
field of view - nice!
colours - subtle, yet pleasing.


No, nope I think the noise is the only critique I have.. :)

[TrevorW]

Good one George I'd be happy with that

[bmitchell82]

thats a great image of m42 great nebulosity and colours and the OIII gives it a real boot in the pants.! cant wait to see you with a dedicated astro ccd in your hands :)

keep up the good work

[strongmanmike]

Excellent image George! I agree with Alex :thumbsup:

I find it a little odd that there isn't less noise and a bit more depth after 15hrs of exposure though...?

Still, a lovely image mate!

Mike

[telecasterguru]

I like the image, it is very well processed given the different data used.

Frank

[Miaplacidus]

Very disappointed. I can't find anything to criticize. Try harder next time.

[blueskies123_89]

Thanks guys, the scope is great. I too am puzzled by the high noise levels, I think it is a combination of heavy light pollution, the heat, and the unmodded DSLR - probably most of all the light pollution.

I have applied more aggressive selective blurring and levels. I did expect to capture more of the dust, but obviously not.

PS: I am using the Flat68, which outputs with a t-thread instead of a 2" barrel, and my OIII filter is 2". Does anyone have an idea of how to use the setup with a 2" filter in the middle? I went to Bintel today and the only thing they had was a filter wheel...

Thanks,
George

[AlexN]

Yeah thats a tricky one George, I think a filter wheel or a filter holder is the only real solution.. I was going to ask if you were using the flat68 on the FLT...

Lumicon make a filter drawer that is T threads on both the telescope and camera side, it has a drawer that you screw your filter into, then drop the drawer into the holder.... I dont know if anywhere in australia advertises these, but you'll find what im talking about if you google for "Filter Drawer"

Price wise I think its cheaper to buy the Orion 2" manual filter wheel. The problem with that is, If you add the filter wheel between the flat68 and the DSLR, you will not have the correct spacing between the flattener and the camera sensor, which means you'll end up with a curved field of view...

Just wondering, what mount do you have the FLT132 riding on?

Alex.

[blueskies123_89]

Yes, it works so well!

Yes I see what you mean by the filter drawer... seems to be an ugly substitute for a filter wheel though. I guess the Orion one is the cheapest, but it probably adds 3cm... any idea how severe that is? I am going to go into mono dedicated CCDs soon, so I guess a filter wheel would be a good investment.

I got it on an EQ6 guided by a DSI II mono and PHD. The mount seems to handle the weight fine. I did lose 3hrs of data because the cable caught onto the mount though... :'(

Cheers,
George

[AlexN]

If you intend to go down the monochrome route in the future, its best to hold off on a filter wheel until you do that.. Certain cameras are better suited to certain filterwheels etc.. So if you were to buy the Orion wheel now, you might have to change it in the future anyway... Likewise if you went for a manual filter wheel now, you would get over that very quickly I think.. Although it doesnt sound like much to stand up, change filters then commence imaging, after you've done it a few times it will grind your gears!

Think first about what CCD you intend to buy, then choose a CFW that will suit...

3cm added between the DSLR and the flattener will make a massive difference to the overall image quality... I wouldnt do that If it were me... I'd consider selling the 2" OIII filter in favour of one of the Astronomik EOS clip in filters that inserts into the front of the camera body. This way you are not changing your spacing at all, and you can just release the T-mount from the dslr, insert the filter, and reconnect the T-mount and your camera should be in the same orientation on the scope as it was before... That would be the cleanest and easiest solution for the time being I think.,

[blueskies123_89]

Hmm yes. I guess I should sit on my current setup for a while, shoot whatever I can until I get the funds to go mono with all the filters. I don't feel like buying an EOS filter and discarding it soon.

There are a lot of small OIII objects I can go for in the mean time without the flattener. :)

Thanks for the help.
George