[avandonk]

Thanks all for the comments.

Jase I would really like to try my HDR method with some RC data. Maybe next time you collect a high dynamic range target you take sets of exposures at least two stops apart. One stop is better. It would not be much more expensive as the shorter exposures do not take long. The short exposures should not allow ANY star to near saturation. Even at sixteen bits you will be surprised how little this takes.

The other real advantage is you can collect images at far longer exposures to get the faint bits as any saturation is immaterial!

Have you seen those faint bits before so clearly and natural with the Trap in the one image? I havent. When they are there the contrast etc has blown out all other detail. The masking methods introduce even more artefacts. Self referential systems fall apart with too much feedback!

Bert