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Originally Posted by Camelopardalis
Loving the Horsehead Charles 
Here's my efforts to date... first one is a 2 minute exposure with the unmodded camera, in the Spring as before, and then the second is a 1 minute exposure with the modded camera. Looking at the raw file histograms in DPP the modded peaks are just behind the unmodded shot - I'm talking about the green and blue channels, the red in the modded is way out in front 
The red nebulosity is much more pronounced and better defined, but if you look closely you'll see some of the fainter stars are harder to discern/not present in the shorter exposure (unsurprisingly). There's more noise in the modded shot simply because it was a hot night. |
It is a difficult object to master. I think you should be able to stretch those images somewhat. Probably also need longer exposures. But we all have to start someware. Increasing the number of subs will reduce noise noticably on the DSLR. I found I could do 5 min subs with the 1100D and noise was minimal. Assuming dark skies. From the Subs in Syndey Sky glow limited max time to about 30 seconds. Also, Don't be scared of using High ISO settings on the DSLR. On the 1100D I always used ISO 6400. On the 100D I used 3200.
I am still working on the Horsehead. Getting better each time. It is one of the hardest object to image. I think I need shorter exposures to try and tame Alnatak a bit. Blew out pretty bad.
The Red is so much more pronounced that it will kill the Blue and Green channels most of the time. When I did the Trifid Nebula with the Modded Camera the Red part of the Nebula was great. But the Blue reflection was missing completly. I did it again with the Stock Camera and got an amazing shot. Their is not really much Ha in Trifid so the stock Camera gave a much better result. Trifid is one of the few Nebula that need the stock Camera.
I have attached my Trifid shots to show why the stock Camera is also needed on some targets.
First Image is with the Modded 1100D with only 30 Sec subs.
The Second Shot is with a stock 100D. 3 Min subs.
Charles