My first Triplet.

[Nico13]

While using my Pentax K5 I have been unable to stack images as DSS does not recognise the latest Pentax raw files so this is a single frame image.

Now having said that I was hunting around for info on stacking with pentax files when :eyepop: spot the obvious :screwy: all I had to do was switch to DNG and I'm away and laughing :rofl:.
So hopefully at the SVAA this weekend I'll get some images I can stack at last.

Ken.

Triplet and M65/66. OK for single frames I think. Lots vignetting though.
Just things to work through as I go I guess.

Both 250 seconds 800 ISO 8" Meade sct with focal reducer flattner.

[rcheshire]

Hope the weather is fine to get it finished Ken.

[Nico13]

Thanks Rowland, I don't know that I'll be continuing with that setup due the vignetting.
Really I'm still experimenting with equipment and setup just to see what I can do with the gear I have. I have just bought a new SW ED80 From Bintel and spent last night setting up the mount and aligning it with the 8" SCT so it's going to be a big trial weekend to see how it all goes.

Steadily making improvements with hardware and software, it's what it's all about I guess, the enjoyment of testing yourself and your gear to get the best out of it.

[rcheshire]

That's about right Ken. This time it's a modified Carey/Lord focus mask design. I hope it works as expected. Live focus just doesn't do it. I have found an Android app that will assist with polar alignment. Interesting to see the results of all this experimenting.

[Nico13]

Yes it's all getting more interesting as I go along but I'm afraid you've got me on the "modified Carey/Lord focus mask design", not too sure what that is, :question: can you elaborate a bit, lots of new stuff to get a handle on here.:P

[Helo]

Those are excellent, especially for single frames. I would be very happy with that and can't wait to see if you manage to get them stacked (I would think there is a Pentax file converter out there somewhere as their unique RAW format would be a problem for others also). Keep them coming :thumbsup:

[mill]

Looking very good for single images :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Ken,

They are really excellent for single subs, the details visible in the galaxies are great, even on the iPhone screen (how I am viewing them). Keep at it, you have piqued my interest as to how my setup would perform on this grouping, I hope you can grab some more to add to these, as it is an excellent start!!!

Well done and thanks for posting😃

Cheers

Chris

[Nico13]

Thanks for the positive feed back guys :D this is a great experience to do this after being a star gazer for more than thirty five years to get some images like these was an awesome feeling and I guess there are quite a few here that can remember the first time they did something similar.
Looking forward to lots more.:thumbsup:

[rcheshire]

Ken. If the mask works, happy to share. The ED80 is a step awayfrom your other gear, which has done a good job over a single frame. I was eyeing off your setup at the last meeting and its got me wondering.... Which is usually expensive or dangerous.

[MGTechDVP]

AWESOME!!!... I wanted to give the triplet a go tonight after a feeble Mars imaging session... but clouds rolled in by midnight.

Well Done.

[Nico13]

Tell me about "expensive or dangerous" :lol: I keep coming up with words like impulsive, obsessive, compulsive, :P yep they all sound expensive to me as well. :help: :rofl::rofl:

[stardust steve]

i want to be able to take an image like this now!:lol: i know, one step at a time. Very good set, nice hat trick:thumbsup:

[rcheshire]

Yep. Happy to add those three too... very expensive...:help: