First light with STF-8300 NGC3199 -repro

[cventer]

--Update : did repro based on feedback and good nights sleep

Popped the cherry on my Sbig STF-8300.

Had clear skies last night in Melbourne. Seeing was very average and with moon up I did not expect much but had to test out the new baby.

Image Data: 19 x 8 min Ha Bin 1 x 1, 8 x 6 min LRGB Bin 2x2
Camera: SBIG STF-8300 with FW-8
Guiding: with Sbig OAG-8300 and Sibig Sti
Mount: Paramount MX
Scope: TakahashiFSQ106 at F5
Processing: Image Processed with CCDStack 2, Photoshop CS 5.5.
Location: Inner suburbs of Melbourne Australia
Date: Taken on 3rd April 2012

The SBIG OAG solution is just awesome. With the focal reducer built into it while testing I had useable guide stars every time. Guiding with Sti and direct guide I had perfect subs on every frame. not one thrown away last night.

Comments welcome. It was a quick process to get this up but about as best I can do with the gradients and noise I had from moon. (ie as good as my current skills are capable of ;) . Must admit this as dont want to be one of the clique)

Sorry about postage stamp attached but with 200k limit this was as large as I could go with quality above 48% in Photoshop save for web

Larger version here (http://www.dslrfocus.com/gallery/NGC3199v1.html)

[gregbradley]

Fantastic Chris.

You've got a perfect setup now.

It is kind of exciting when you can go long exposures and get round stars every time.

Greg.

[Mighty_oz]

Nice one Chris, going to try for this myself over Easter w/e, finally going to a dark site for once try out the PMX and tripod :) Shame about not sticking with the program, but Great shot anyways :)

[Peter Ward]

Very tidy indeed.

Hope you continue to enjoy the new camera :thumbsup:

[Martin Pugh]

Congrats on the setup. That is why I have always favoured SBIG - their integration work is first class and this is a fine example of that.

Images look great, so go for it.

cheers
Martin

[Paul Haese]

Well done on the first light. The image looks a bit monochromatic with the nebulosity but I know what it is like to get the nebulosity looking whispy. I look forward to further images from the unit.

[cventer]

Thanks everyone.

Did a repro to get nebulosity looking better and tightened up stars as they were detracting from image a bit.

Like anything you stare at it for a few hours and it looks good. Then step away for a nights sleep and wonder why you posted that image. Anyway I am happier with this version.

[Stevec35]

Very nice indeed. Good rendition of the nebulosity and pinpoint stars all over.

Cheers

Steve

[Paul Haese]

Yes the close up looks better. I know what you mean about staring at something and thinking that looks fine, then later seeing it again and thinking, what was I thinking?

[strongmanmike]

Great result Chris, looks good :thumbsup:

That camera looks awesome too, very cool design...could even tempt me to the dark side...

I know what you mean about the feeling when you don't have to chuck any data, my notorious :D Ultra Deep Cen A was made from some 120 X 10min subs taken over 3 nights back in 08 and I only had to ditch about 3 or 4, so when you have it purring...it is a great feeling..actually watching a guide star hardly move has had me mesmerised at times :screwy: (I think it's an anxiety dissorder...like endless T-Point runs in an attempt to get your pointing to 10 arc sec RMS when you only ever image a single target a night) :lol:.

Mike
PS..whatch that AP burnout won't you :)

[cventer]

Thanks Mike.

You are not wrong on the burnout. Happened once before to me. My philosophy this time is different. I don't need to do everything in a day. If I cant get data I need no big deal I just wait now. I have about 10 sets of data from FSQ I am yet to process, but in no hurry. With my new STX that has arrived I also dotn plan on using it till the AG-10 arrives early may. But thanks for reminder. Allways good to put things in perspective.

[marc4darkskies]

Very nice Chris! :thumbsup:

Cheers, Marcus

[gregbradley]

Whaaaaatt?? Y're gonna wait til May to use your STX??? Arrrgggg

I'd be awesome on your FSQ!!

One image with that camera and you will be hooked - guarantee it.

Greg.

[Ross G]

Great photos Chris.

I really like your colours.


Ross.

[cventer]

Thanks Marcus.



Yes I know but to be honest I feel kind of spoilt having got these 2 awesome camera so close to eachother. I feel I owe the STF a run before big brother gets his turn. Plus I still need 65mm filters which will set me back 2k alone, so waiting till end of this month when my accountant finaly finishes my tax return.



thanks Ross. Still trying to work on a regular routine for processing that I am happy with in terms of colors. These Ha RGB blends haunt me but slowly improving. Commens on this site have really helped push me to get better at processing.


I also finaly figured out there was this easy little button called multi quote. I was being an idiot and copying and pasting comments into notepad to respond in past. This sure does save time.