Rough Wide Fields From Coonabarabran

[Ross G]

Hello again,

I'm still processing the shots from my Coonabarabran trip nearly 8 weeks ago.

While my main scope and QHY8L were shooting away at DSOs I also set up my Vixen mount with with 2 Canon cameras to take wide field photos.

These photos were taken with a modded Canon 1000d and Olympus 135mm F2.8 lens.
Unfortunately I forgot to switch on In Camera Noise Reduction and I did not take any darks (.....it was cold, I was tired, the night was scary etc etc...).

I have done the best I can with Photoshop and I am actually surprised they have not turned out as bad as I expected....however, what do you think?

Thanks for looking.

Ross.


ANTARES & LMC...4X10min exposures.

SMC...17x10min exposures (..but does not look any better than the others..).

DSS + PHOTOSHOP CS3.

[RickS]

They're quite nice, Ross! Not that rough at all.

Cheers,
Rick.

[gregbradley]

I agree they aren't rough at all.

Very nice.

Greg.

[jase]

A solid portfolio of images there Ross. Well done. Rho is my pick of the bunch.

[leon]

Not that rough mate, quite good actually.

Leon

[Ross G]

Rick, Greg, Jase and Leon thanks for your positive comments.

I thought having no noise reduction or darks would produce terrible results, but I think the temperature hovering around 1c -2c helped reduce the noise.

I do like the FOV and quality of the Olympus lens even though it's nearly 40 years old. I am trying to put together a couple of adapters so I can attach the lens on the QHY8L and then mount it.

Hopefully, better photos are to follow.

Thanks.

Ross.

[seeker372011]

Impressed that you managed 10 minute subs , unguided..and a nice return for presumably very accurate polar alignment

[atalas]

Nice set of images Ross,well done.

[John Hothersall]

These are a fine set of images, love the Rho Oph/Antares image and MC are well imaged and globular 47 Tucan looks enormous.

John.

[richardo]

Jeeezzz, not so rough here Ross!

Love wide fields and I think you've really got the colour blend down beautifully.
Love the rho Orphicus region.. one of my favs!

Great set of images!

Rich

[Ross G]

Thanks Narayan, glad you like the photos. However, they were not unguided. I have a long WO Vixen dovetail bar mounted sideways. I have a camera in the middle and one end. On the other end I have a finder scope that I have converted to a guide scope and I guide with PHD.
It is portable and works well, allowing me to have 2 Canon bodies shooting at the same time.

Ross.

[Ross G]

Hi Louie,

I'm glad you like them. Thanks for your colour advice.
You have such an eagle eye.

Ross.

[Ross G]

Hi John,

Glad you like the shots. It means a lot.

Thank you.

Ross.

[Ross G]

Thank you Rich. I'm really happy you like the photos.

I agree with you about widefields. Although I have not taken many, they are becoming my favourite type of astrophotography. I have obtained a couple of adapters that will allow me to mount my SLR lenses directly onto my QHY8L ccd. The telescope might start collecting dust in the garage!
Hopefully, much better photos to follow.

Ross.

[hotspur]

Wish I could take 'rough' shots like these!,Print frame and hang!-nice work.

What Vixen mount are you using had some issues with mine=or its motors,but finally seems to be working.

What tools used in CS photsoshop did you use,Surprised to see little noise and amp glow,with no darks blended in DSS-you must be some sort of PP god! well done!:thumbsup:

[Ross G]

Hi Chris,

Ha, ha...I don't think so.

I'm glad you like the photos, the praise however, is undeserved.

It is only in the last 3 to 6 months that I have started doing anything more in Photoshop then just levels and the Saturation slider.

If you want to learn Photoshop for astrophotography quickly and efficiently, do yourself a favour and go to WWW.ATALAS.NET (http://www.ATALAS.NET). It belongs to an IIS member, Atalas (Louie). He has about 9 of the most amazing 4 minute Photoshop tutorials. Unlike many books I have read and other video tutorials I have seen, his cut through the "crap" and just present the essentials in a clear, precise and simplified manner.

As to the mount, it is a Vixen SXW Sphinx. Unguided it's not too flash, but it autoguides very well with PHD.

The camera I used for these photos is a modded Canon 1000d. When the weather is cold, its noise levels are quite low. I have also noticed that it does not show any amp glow, even without darks. I was also shooting with an older Canon 350d on the same mount and it exhibited a lot of amp glow in all the shots. I thinl I read somewhere that in their newer cameras, Canon has the amp switched off during long exposures.

Also, I think having to compress photos to 200kb for IIS helps hide a lot of defects.

Anyway Chris, good luck with your imaging. If I can be of any specific help, feel free to pm me.

Thank you.

Ross.

[dugnsuz]

Very nice trio Ross - nice too see someone with talent exercising it.
Doug

[Ross G]

Hi Doug,

I'm glad you like the photos.

Thanks for the kind comments and praise.....it does wonders for my confidence and lets me know I'm on the right track with Photoshop.

I'm enjoying widefields more and more.
If it clears tonight, I am testing an adapter that connects my Olympus lenses to my QHY8L ccd.
Hoping this results in better quality widefields.

Thanks.

Ross.

[midnight]

Your images Ross inspire me to get my gear out there when I get the next opportunity (work & weatherwise).

Very well deserved credit for your nice collection there.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[desler]

Ross,

I have had very limited goes at widefield imaging and haven't come close to your results here! I think they are a great set of images and would be more than pleased to have them as mine!

Your progession in processing is obvious, and I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Darren

[Ross G]

Hi Darrin,

Thank you, I'm glad you like the photos.

Yes, between work, family and the weather the imaging opportunities are few so grab them when you can.

Good luck.

Ross.

[Ross G]

Hi Darren,

Thanks, It's great that you like the photos.

I have been studying Photoshop techniques over the last 6 months, reading books and watching the numerous video tutorials available and getting valuable advice from a few very helpful people. It has been a slow and often confusing process. However, I have kept plugging away trying everything and seeing what works for my photos. I think finally now I am starting to see through the fog although I know I still have a long way to go.

I am getting drawn to widefields more and more. On Tuesday night it was clear and I successfuly tested an adapter that allows me to connect my SLR lenses to my QHY8L ccd.
This I hope is going to result in much better quality photos.

Thank you.

Ross.

[hotspur]

Thanks Ross

[CoolhandJo]

Arhh the dark sky benefits! Great shots

[Ross G]

Hi Paul,

Glad you like the photos.

Yes, nothing like a clear, dark sky to hide deficiencies in talent, skill and equipment.
Wish I lived in Coonabarabran!


Thanks.

Ross.