First M42 @ 250mm kit lens

[stardust steve]

Hi. I have sorted out some gremlins in the EQ3 only to find more :lol:
Here is my stacked result of M42.
First time i have imaged and attempted processing this target.

Total exposure-30secs x 36 frames= 18mins.- Controlled by EOS
Camera-Unmodded 500D
Lens- 55-250mm EF-S kit lens @250mm
Mount-EQ3 tracking, non guided.
Polar alignment- very rough:rofl:
ISO- 1600
Darks and Twilight Flats applied.
Stacked in DSS, processed in photoshop.
Conditions were the among the best i have ever seen. No twinkle on the stars low on horizion, Moon had well set. Stars gleaming (for my location), not a breath of wind. :D


I would love to be able to get longer exposures, something that is heading the to do list.
Overall i am really happy to get a result which looks like something:lol:
Onwards and upwards :camera:

[RickS]

Congrats! Nice colours and it's definitely recognizable as M42.

[stardust steve]

Thanks Rick. Still doing a happy dance 36 hrs later :cool:

[bartman]

I like it Steve, almost looks like HDR version.....
Well done
Bartman

[stardust steve]

Cheers Bart. I must admit, i was following a basic tutorial on processing and this was the result. I need to try and remember what i did lol, kinda forgot :rolleyes:
I will dig up the link if anyone is interested, even if it is just for me to bookmark :lol:

[stardust steve]

Here is what i followed. The processing part is about half way down the page.

HERE (http://www.astrophotography-tonight.com/astrophotography-on-budget/)

:thumbsup: