Moon with a Canon 7D

[Craig_L]

Haven't had a go before at imaging the moon so I thought I would try a Canon 7D. Tak Sky 90II with a 4X Televue Powermate. Stack of 111 exposures @ ISO 800 and 1/100 sec exposure processed in RegistaxV5.
I wonder whether I should be getting more detail with this setup. Should I use a UV/IR filter? Any comments welcome.
Craig

Photo revised

[mswhin63]

Nice image, nothing to complain about.

When I first opened it , it looked chuncky but that was because it was a big image with possibly a large percentage quality reduction to post it on the forum.

I wouldn't expect any more detail even from a DSLR. DSLR's are better suited for wide angle moon shots, most CCD cameras or webcam with high frame rate would be better. Some CCD's or webcams wouldn't even need a barlow due to chip size.

As a point of interest, try processing 1 image then 10 then 50 and so-on to see if 111 exposures are really needed.

[Craig_L]

Thanks Malcolm. Yes, there is a high compression even although I reduced the image to 25% it's original. It's a crop from a near full image of the moon. I'll try a smaller number of images.

[Craig_L]

I've now reduced the number of the stack to 55 being more selective and also reduced the image size. Think this is sharper and more detailed.

[dugnsuz]

Very nice, sharp image Craig - how was it working with a 4x powermate in the imaging train? I imagine any vibration would be amplified in the image.
Doug

[Jeff]

Awesome Craig ... now adorning my desktop.

[Craig_L]

Thanks Doug. The Powermate was tricky - I really need another extension tube to get the right focal length for the DSLR. As it was, I had to extend the Powermate out from its base - rather precarious and threatenning to fall out of the scope onto the "concrete"! Vibration wasn't a problem but an motorized focuser would be good. Would like to get the flattener reducer in the train which would allow me to get the whole moon in and also give me sharp edges. Not sure this is possible but will investigate.

Good aspect of shooting the moon is you can be done in about 30 minutes which makes a change from being up all night shooting 10 min subs.;)

[Craig_L]

Thanks Jeff for the comment. Glad you've found a use for it on your desktop.:)

[h0ughy]

not too bad a shot

[jjjnettie]

Lovely Moonage!
You're processing kept it very natural looking.
It is strange, isn't it, collecting enough data in such a short amount of time. Feels like cheating almost. But it a nice change to have a stress free imaging session.

[Craig_L]

Thanks David and JJJ. Yes, been out of it awhile and needed something easier to shoot, although nothing's easy. Different processing for one with Registax - a bit rough but learning the ropes. Maybe could reduce the stack even further from 55 to around 10 with more alighnment points. Might get more detail.

Would like to get in there a bit closer to those big craters though. Might have to look at a new camera, although the Sky 90 probably isn't the best scope for this with a short focal length.