What's wrong with the minimum filter? Sure it butchers stars, but you don't use it to 100% opacity. Immediately after applying it, go to the edit menu and select Fade. Drop it down between 40 to 60 percent. It will just tighten them up a little. Subtlety is the key with processing.
Really grand image Doug. 280mm frames the target exceptionally well. You got any of your ED80 data there of Eta? Make a hybrid image by registering some of the data to incorporate into the key features. Just blend it in as another layer. It will pack the image with some resolution punch and beats trying to sharpen details that aint really there to begin with. Don't worry about incorporating the stars, just use a mask to tweak the nebulosity details.
Thanks for sharing this visual treat. Keep up the good work...and yes...3 hour total integration time images from now on please.
