To answer a few questions.
1. All frames were converted from the Canon RAW to 16 bit tiff files so tiff files from any source should be ok. The main thing is that the frame alignment must be very good. Photomatix has a frame alignment option but it did not work well for me - perhaps I didn't try hard enough.
2 The Canon in-camera noise reduction was used - nothing else. I merely took the tiff files and had Photomatix combine them, its as simple as that. I was told that CS2 had some similar procedures but they are not as good as Photomatix. Adobe has modified the algorithms and the new CS3 should be an improvement.
3. My main motivation is to see what other astrophotographers come up with in this area - there are some pretty creative people out there. Playing around with astrophotography you find that we keep doing the same things - I know the results are good - very good but why not try something new?
Bert,
12 bit dynamic range is what we get for most CCD's so we get what we get.
I could have a go at processing a few frames for you - but you should also have a go. OK! take 3 pics with your 5D. Convert the CRW files and convert them to *.jpg and e-mail (send me a message via this forum) them to me lets see what we can do.
Houghy,
OK a little discussion thread might be in order - I'll get my thoughts in order and get back to you. I'll have a go at Omega Centauri this evening to see how star clusters turn out. For me its one object per evening otherwise I'll end up not going to work
Clear skies,
Jerry
