[John K]

Well guys I am planning on getting out to a really dark sky site this coming weekend for my first real try at deep sky imaging. I will be equiped with a 12.5" and Canon 400D.

Limiting factors are the fact that I will only drift align my mount and will not have any guiding corrections for the prime focus shots and will only have 2 x batteries for the 400D. As such at this stage my plan was to limit my exposures to 2-3 minutes (is this realistic without guiding) at either ISO800 or ISO1600. Planning on having the noise reduction turned on. As I am looking to experiment, on my prime focus target list I have NGC104, M1 (ISO1600), M42, Horeshead (ISO1600), Tarantula, Jewel Box, Eta Carina, Omega Centauri, M104 (ISO1600), M8 (will be low) and Comet McNaught.

Am I wasting my time with these objects with my set up? If taking 2-3 minute exposures, what is a good number to take (remembering I only have 2 400D batteries) or am I just dreaming here with my huge tick list?

Advice and thoughts appreciated!

John.

p.s. and yep, Staturn and Jove are on the tick-list (I know it's the deep sky forumn) but laptop and 17amp powertank will be tested.