M42 with 40D and FLT110

[midnight]

Merry Christmas All!!

Well this project started with my SN 8" and after 2 nights, I was about to throw the blinking thing into the chook shed. Flexure, internal reflections etc but I still love it for its F4 speed at 812mm and I can't work it out.:mad2: It is tempting when you have a run of magic nights to just switch and accumulate data!

Anyway, the FLT110 has come in and here is 2 nights worth.

M42 and "Running Man"
Modified 40D
9 x 10sec ISO 800
10 x 60 sec ISO800
15 x 600 sec ISO800
Flats + Darks.
Stacked in DSS
Used PS CS4 to adjust levels, curves, saturation (many thanks to Louie's tutorials!) and layer blending of the core (average outcome I think)

I am happy with this but some of the QHY10 images are whetting my appetite!!!

Would love to here any critique on processing and whether there is still too much noise etc or otherwise.

Thanks for looking,

Darrin...

[allan gould]

Great framing Darrin, i think the black may be a little clipped but really like the image. The star colour may also have been bleached out but there is a great amount of detail in your shots. I would keep at it with the 40D and then go up to a CCD. Its the journey that makes this all so satisfying and you are doing really well. That FLT110 is a great looking scope.

[CoolhandJo]

Nice dust! Great nebulosity.

[midnight]

Thanks Allan for the feedback.

What I am not sure about is whether a DSLR really is hampered by its relatively shallow "well depth" in terms of dynamic range. I am finding many images rapidly saturate around stars yet struggling to get that fine detail outside in the dust/gaseous areas. I understand that DSLR is certainly not in the same bucket as say a dedicated CCD but this would be interesting to know the limitations of the DSLR.

As for the journey, I'm an loving it and everyday brings news challenges and understanding of one's equipment. The FLT110 is indeed a very nice scope and hasn't let me down yet.

No work due to Christmas, new moon, at least 1 week of sunny WA weather - I'm in my element at the moment.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[ReaPerMan]

No one has to suffer for their art these days... If you want a QHY get one, we live in an age of gratification! :lol:

I still have 2 night shifts to work so boxing day night is the first time i'll be able to get out imaging again :( I have a hit list of targets drawn up and ready to go, I envy you if your off for the week as the weather looks aces.

all the best

Paul :thumbsup:

[mill]

Great pic Darrin :thumbsup:
The dust should have a more brownish look to it as far as i know.
Go for the ccd camera, i know you want to :P

[midnight]

Cheers Paul! I think the nebulosity was easier than the core to process.



Thanks Paul. It's definitely on my radar at the moment. The weather is looking typical WA for at least the next week - sun sun and more sun. I am off work for a short while but power stations run 24/7 so you never know if that dreaded phone call comes in!



I certainly did notice a strong hint of brown and I wasn't sure if this was light pollution or genuinely part of the subject. So thanks Martin for the info. And yes I do want one ("I do I do I do!").

[AG Hybrid]

It's a lovely image. I'd be proud if I could produce a picture like that.

[strongmanmike]

Hey Darrin

Yes I like the framing, you have the colours just about right and there is plenty of "stuff" showing around the place.

The core could probably be done a little better though.

Make several versions (4?) each showing varying degrees of detail in the main nebula right down into the core, try and make each a nice version of just the region it is intended to showcase and don't worry about the rest of the image, then copy and paste them on top of each other and blend them until you have a seamless transition. The area around the core still needs to be pretty bright though, don't fall into the trap (:D) of making the trap area look too dark otherwise it will look like there is a hole in the nebula.

Fair bit of trial and error but don't give up, the Orion Nebula is a challenge to process and very few versions get it right in my opinion but whaen you nail it it, it's worth the effort :thumbsup:

Mike

[suma126]

looks really good to me love the colours and detail :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Good work, Darrin! You've captured lots of detail and nebulosity. I certainly agree with Mike's comment that M42 is a challenge to process though I might have used a stronger term ;)

Cheers,
Rick.

[Visionoz]

Nice one Darrin! :thumbsup: Like it overall especially when it's shot with the modded 40D - not bad, seems noiseless; must have been a bit cool at the time

Cheers
Bill

[midnight]

Thanks Adrian. I have been going back to this target night after night to try and fine tune some skills. I'm quite happy with this but always looking for those little hints to give that extra punch.



Many thanks Mike! I'll certainly try to avoid falling into the "trap" :P . I'll give more attention to detail in the core. Cheers!



Thanks Shane. The DSLR path is starting to show some limitations when compared to the osc ccd shots I've seen elsewhere. But I'll keep on this for a while.



Yes Rick, M42 is certainly challenging which is why I'm spending so much time on. Almost starting to want to go somewhere else but I really need to put more time into my post processing. I'm glad you liked it!



Thanks Bill. I did spend a lot of time trying to control noise by staying at ISO800 & cooling (I wanted to do ISO400 but for a F7 scope this would not be enough). The cooling is great. I bought this camera off Paul Haese and it is certainly now becoming a real asset in summer as the temp warms up. Maybe QHY10 next :question: Cheers!

Darrin...