[Startrek (Martin)]

I started AP back in 2017 with a Canon 600D unmodded , HEQ5 mount and 150mm f6 Bintel GSO Newt ( still use the same Newt now with my 2600MC )
Imaged from Bortle 7/8 heavy light polluted Sydney and Bortle 3 dark skies South Coast NSW
I never used any narrowband or light pollution filters so just imaged broadband using ISO 800 ( best setting for this camera ) on all targets
I also used my Canon with TV Powermates for planetary imaging using BYEOS which produced some excellent images considering basic equipment

Sydney Bortle 7/8 Skies
Galaxy imaging during new moon period ( dark ) 30 to 60 sec subs ( at least 150 to 250 subs )
Emission Nebula during new moon period ( dark ) 60 to 90 sec subs ( at least 80 + subs )
Globular clusters anytime 60 sec subs ( 60 to 80 subs )
I didn’t bother imaging Emission Nebula when the moon was greater than 50%

Dark Site Bortle 3
Galaxy imaging during new moon period ( dark ) 90 to 120 sec subs ( at least 100 subs )
Emission Nebula during new moon period ( dark ) 150 to 180 sec subs ( at least 80 subs )
Globular clusters anytime 60 to 90 sec subs ( 60 to 80 subs )

I only took Darks with the Canon 600D ( No flats or other calibration frames )

Stacking software Deep Sky Stacker ( still use it , free and reliable , no issues in 6 years )
Post processing, Startools ( still use it , it’s developed into a superb post processing software)

Planetary imaging
Capture BYEOS
Processing Autostakkert 3 and Registax 6

Most DSLR’s have a quantum efficiency of only around 40% to 50% so it’s really important to capture as much data as possible on an object to improve your SNR , reduce noise by stacking , expose more fine detail , expose more dynamic range and produce more depth in colour as well

Unfortunately the sensor electronics in most DSLR’s run very warm ( 18 to 35 deg C depending on climate ) which causes unwanted dark current or dark thermal noise. This can be mitigated to some degree with calibration frames , dithering and lots and lots of good data for stacking

Used this set up for 3 years before I upgraded to a dedicated cooled cmos OSC camera the 2600MC

Some of my old photos attached using the 6” newt and Canon 600D

Cheers
Martin