C/2011 W3 Comet Lovejoy - Dee Why Beach

[Screwdriverone]

Hi All,

Had a blast online with JJJ, Mike, Les, Mel, Carl this morning, my first cruddy go at photographing a comet....a real one too!

Here is some of my better shots, I didnt realise my focus wasnt all that good for most of them, hard to focus in the dark, and focusing on lights 2k's away looks like it didnt work too well. I am still a bit of a noobie...:P

Anyway, thanks for looking, these were at 30 sec, 18-55mm lens at 18mm, F3.5 ISO 800 on a Canon 1000D. The closer ones are with a nifty 50mm at F2.2 same ISO and exposure. Taken between 4:00am and 4:45am. taken on 24/12/11

You might need to click on the four arrow icons to make the images fit to the viewer....

Cheers

Chris

[Astroman]

A good series of images, shame about the cloud, but having said that, you have some good pics there...

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Andrew! Some nice effects with the clouds, although the reflected light off Sydney washes them out a bit.

Cheers

Chris

[Finite]

i really quite like the images, with the clouds through. Focus looks alright...is the slight trail in the stars what you're seeing? I like these images :thumbsup:

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Chris
Glad you had a great morning! The pics are great too!

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks John, glad you liked them, it was a fun morning!

Probably 40% of the subs I took were no good due to focus, the trailing stars are from using the tripod and no tracking for 30 secs but that was expected. Maybe it's my eyes, haven't been to sleep yet, looks like I will be pushing on through to the other side :)

Cheers


Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Matt, it was a blast, posting teasers and getting updates via fb. The clouds washed things out a bit, unfortunately there were none there when I first spotted it and was setting up but I think they enhance it somewhat? Sort of a foreground/background effect....

Thanks for the comments

Cheers

Chris

[anthony.tony]

Nice work in between clouds -Tony

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Tony, first the eclipse, now Lovejoy, getting good at working with them I reckon

Cheers

Chris

[astronobob]

Impressive results for a 1st time at a comet Chris, All are great & them 50mm jobs with the foreground are awesome compositions, well done ! !

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Bob, the foreground ones were done with the 18-55 lens set at 18mm


Cheers


Chris

[renormalised]

Really nice shots, Chris:)

Actually, the effect with the clouds frames the length of the tail quite nicely.

[jjjnettie]

The pics taken with the stock lens are my favourites. Beaut pics, and yes, I agree, the clouds don't really don't detract from the images.
It's been great fun sharing this time with friends online. :)

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Carl,

I wished there was a little less reflected Sydney light, but you are right, it adds some depth to them.

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Jeanette for all your help too (and Carl ;))

It was exciting to see the updates from everyone, at all corners of Aus too....in between subs....

Apart from the Sleep lag, it was one of my best Astro nights out ever.

Such an awesome sight.....everyone should get out to see it. It's MASSIVE!

Cheers

Chris

[jjjnettie]

LOL I'm getting my gear ready, packing the car, ready to head to where ever it's clear tonight.

[renormalised]

Good luck JJJ....hope you find some clear skies. You're going to be in for a treat:):)

[alfredbird]

plan to get up tomorrow morning. It is East or more like SE?

[renormalised]

Hey Alfred....it's more towards the SE....look about halfway down along the body of Scorpio as it rises. You can't miss it in any case, it's all too obvious:)

It also frames itself nicely with the pointers of the cross as well....off to one side and below them. Once you do see it, you won't forget it. Especially under dark skies.

[Lester]

Nice shots Chris.

[koputai]

I was out on Long Reef headland (Dee Why) this morning from 3:15 to 5:00, and will probably get out there again tomorrow (25th) for another go, if the weather cooperates.

Cheers,
Jason.