PDA

View Full Version here: : December-January Imaging Challenge - A new direction


DavidTrap
13-12-2010, 12:56 PM
Dear All,

I'd like to take the opportunity to spice things up a bit with the imaging challenge. There have been some great images posted over the last few months (despite the La Nina) but interest may be waning a little.

How about we trial the following? Change to a challenge that runs for 2 months, one subject only, and voting for the best image, divided into two categories of imaging setup less than or greater than $5000.

To simplify the "weight divisions", the cost should be include the mount, imaging scope and imaging device only. You can exclude the guidescope, autoguider, mounting plates, adaptors, etc. The price should be based on a fair "retail price" at the time you bought that gear, even if you bought it second-hand. If you want to claim the Paramount and CDK-17 you bought second hand was retailing for <$5000 you are only kidding yourself. I WILL NOT BE ADJUDICATING ON SETUP COSTS - you are all on your honour.

The image will ideally be taken during the challenge, but I realise that we have been experiencing foul weather for a long time and imaging time for many has been scant! Perhaps, voters can consider which images have been taken during the challenge when casting their vote.

I'll open up voting at the end of the challenge for 1 week and the Winner of the <$5000 category can chose the target for the next challenge. The target should be one that is visible from the whole of Australia, and ideally have it's "transit date" during the challenge.

As usual, can you please include the details of your image for others to compare:
* Weight Class: <$5000 or >$5000
* Scope: (+/- reducers/flatteners)
* Imaging device:
* Mount:
* Guiding:
* Exposure details: (include ISO for DSLRs, temp for CCDs)
* Stacking method: (Median, average, sigma, etc. Darks, flats &/or bias frames)
* Summary of post processing:
* Darkness of imaging site: (Good, bad, ugly!)
* Date(s) image taken:

To start things rolling, this months challenge will be Anything in the Constellation of Orion

Regards
David T

mental4astro
10-01-2011, 01:21 PM
I don't get it, the imaging forum is littered with Orion based shots, yet no one wants to submit one here?

What are you all scared of?

Bugger it, here is MY image of M42, M43 and the Running Man.

Catergory: <$5000

Scope: 2" refractor
Imaging device: eyeball, black paper, pastel & brush, white & black charcoal, white ink
Mount: Alt/az
Guiding: hand
Exposure details: human eye physiology, dark adapted, OIII filter, 25mm Plossl
Stacking method: n/a
Summary of post processing: touched up with rubber to remove errors, and black charcoal pencil for added definition
Darkness of imaging site: UGLY, my backyard in Sydney
Date: 30'th December, 2010

David, no disrespect intended. I've seen how much work you've put into this. I really just don't get the lack of response.

Come on! I DARE YOU! Hotshots!

TrevorW
10-01-2011, 06:46 PM
Ok HH close up

GSO 200mm RC
QHY OSC CCD
EQ6 mount

not much more than $5k

telemarker
12-01-2011, 01:14 AM
Having been rather weather limited of late, I'll stump up an image of the running man.

* Weight Class: <$5000
* Scope: Meade 2080 SCT with F6.3 reducer/flattener
* Imaging device: Orion SSDSI
* Mount: LXD-75
* Guiding: Lodestar with OAG
* Exposure details: Single 30 min sub
* Stacking method: None, Single Dark, 10 flats
* Summary of post processing: Nebulosity for calibration and DDP, PS for curves, levels and attempted gradient removal and cropping to remove effects of distortion due to camera being 140mm from flattener (supposed to be 110 but I haven't the required adapter yet).
* Darkness of imaging site: Backyard between clouds, mossies and a pair of overfriendly doggies. :rain::rundog::rundog:
* Date image taken: 7-1-2011

DavidTrap
01-02-2011, 11:26 AM
A public thank-you to those who have contributed this month - some impressive efforts.

Unfortunately, support from the broader IIS community is lacking. Mike warned me when I started this challenge that it had been tried before with limited success. I now realise that imagers may well have their own agenda, potentially acquiring data for projects over several years, so a focused challenge may not fulfil their needs.

I will not continue running this challenge. Alex has suggested that those who seek inspiration for targets might look to the ongoing Visual Observing Challenge. I'll leave it to him to discuss how imagers might become involved there.

Thanks again to all those who have contributed to the challenge in its various forms over the last few months. Hopefully this La Nina will dissipate quickly so we can enjoy some more favourable skies in the near future.

Regards

David T

strongmanmike
01-02-2011, 05:01 PM
Because it wasn't a competiton par se, I think it may have been doomed from the start particularly once you attached the equipment value to the activity? I imagine many would find this a little confronting and very subjective. If someone posts an image most people can tell what sort of equipment was used and keep that in mind when they assess the quality, it wasn't a competition after all. Plus what has cost got to do with it in the end anyway? Plenty of mediocre RC + PME et al images out there and plenty of high quality ED80 on EQ6's too. I have some expensive gear but I move heaven and Earth in order to use it :scared: :screwy:.. should we also take this into account in some way..? ie most difficult setups graded 1 to 10? (not that I think we should, I'm just flapping :))

The main speed hump to this venture was that there was already an active forum to which everyone already posts the same images, what was the point of posting it twice? All the same helpful info can be easily gathered in the replies to each image post:shrug:, I just didn't really get it :question:..?

I know you had the best intentions and it was only some fun, I mean no ill will at all, nor am I making fun here, (perhaps I am missing the intended point though :P) just some honest thoughts :)

Mike

DavidTrap
01-02-2011, 05:29 PM
Thanks for your comments Mike - you raise some valid points.

The original thread that prompted this challenge ran to about 4 or 5 pages from memory - there seemed to be lots of aspiring imagers keen to be involved. I was hoping to bring things into a common forum to facilitate involvement. You are certainly right that a lot of information is contained within threads about images, however I often find it easy for good information to be lost amongst compliments - you may need to revisit an image thread multiple times to extract one pearl of wisdom. (I'm certainly not implying there is anything wrong with telling someone they have done a good job!)

The "weight class" and competition aspects were proposed in the initial thread. I had initially avoided that so that people would feel welcome. This last thread was either a "kill or cure" effort to see what the IIS community was after.

I take no offence to your comments. A public "debrief" of this might help others who take on a similar challenge on IIS or elsewhere.

Regards
DT

gregbradley
01-02-2011, 05:41 PM
A successful model for this type of thing was the monthly challenge on the Yahoo digital camera forum for DSLR imagers. It was super popular.

You submitted your image on an announced object and forum members voted which was their favorite. No other criteria.

Admittedly this was a DSLR site so everyone was using either a Canon or Nikon DSLR. Scopes/mounts tended to be modest.

I agree a cost limit to divide the challenge is sensible as who wants to compete using a $4000 setup against a $50,000 setup?
The $50,000 setup would really have to mess things up to not be better.

Greg.