REALLY rough wide fields

[graphworlok]

Almost too ashamed to post these, but thouse people would want to see some REALLY rough widefields of the same sections as Ross G's pictures

http://182.160.128.150/Astro/Antares.jpg
http://182.160.128.150/Astro/LMC135.jpg
http://182.160.128.150/Astro/SMC.jpg

Hardware used.. Stock EOS 40D
EQ3 with clock drive
135mm Super-Takumar prime lense
DSS for stacking/levels, gimp for jpg conversion

Subs would have been 60 seconds (possibly 30!)
Anything longer and a bad bit of PE in my mount causes stars to turn into mountain ranges.

Assorted other images here:
http://182.160.128.150/Astro/

[Ross G]

Hi James,

Welcome to the "rough" club.

I think your photos are great considering the very short exposures.
They are also sharp and well tracked.
What was the total exposure time for each shot?

I really like your LMC.

Ross.

[WingnutR32]

I love seeing these widefield shots. It makes navigating the sky that much easier for me. Particularly the LMC and now understanding the physical location of the Tarantula Nebula.

Well done!

[graphworlok]

Thanks!

I love these Takumar lenses - however your Olympus def. seems to give them a run for their money -
My most recent purchase was a mint condition 200mm SMC Takumar - I have only managed to take two decent images with it so far:

http://182.160.128.150/Astro/OrionNebula60s.jpg
and
http://182.160.128.150/Astro/SMC200mm.jpg
though i have managed to image some galaxies - Sculptor and NGC55
http://182.160.128.150/Astro/NGC55.jpg - Not turning out too great though.

Details for the images i originally linked:
LMC - 53 x 60s, ISO800, 11 dark, 18 flats
SMC - 58 x 60s, ISO800, 11 dark, 18 flats

Antares, i cannot find the details on, but i suspect a similar amount..

Also, - no tracking active tracking - Just the EQ3's clock motor. I'm at the point where PE in my mount throws off any drift aligning i attempt for images longer than 60 seconds exposure.

[Ross G]

Hi James,

Again, the shots from the 200mm look great. It looks like a very sharp lens. What F stop did you use?

I really like the Orion photo.

I think the Takumar lenses are in the same league and from the same era as my Olympus Zuiko lenses.

I was in the position as you about 4 years ago. I had a really cheap Chinese equatorial mount with an attached clock drive that had a thin spring for tension. I attached a camera flash bracket on the head and mounted a canon body with an Olympus 300mm lens. I did not own a telescope at the time.
Like you, I was limited to 30 second exposures, but over a 6 month period I photographed a number of DSOs including M31. The photos were ok (...not as good as the ones you have produced..).
I then bought a Skywatcher HEQ5Pro mount and I was able to progress to 2-3 minute exposures. The difference in quality of my photos was amazing.
Your photos show that you have the skills and your lenses have the quality to produce some amazing widefields if you can improve your mount and increase your exposures.

Good luck.

Ross.