[cadman342001 (Andy)]

Managed to get out to a dark site last week.

I'm using a D800 and 180mm f2.8 ED ais nikkor (my longest lens) on HEQ5 Pro at the moment until I can afford an 80mm refractor. My current scope is a 127mm f9.4 refractor with a FL of 1200mm so not really suitable and I have no auto-guiding kit, just a Polemaster for an accurate PA.

The 1st pic was 38 shots @ 60 secs, ISO1600, f/2.8, opened as pano in PS, converted to a Smart Object and median stack applied to reduce noise, then a curves adjustment.

2nd pic is just a crop of the nebula.

Help me get better, give me some critique / comment, both on the shots and equipment - my obvious frustrations being no guiding so sub length restricted and short FL.

Andy