[Octane (Humayun)]

Marc,

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

Originally Posted by multiweb

10/10 H! Can't fault that pic. Top stuff.

Gary,

It was really quite warm at Cootamundra that night and that's the only thing I can think of which has induced and/or exacerbated the noise to such levels that it caused it to band.

It couldn't have been the USB line as the images were being stored to card. It has me boggled.

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Garyh

Looks very nice Humayun! Very similar to what I did Saturday night, even the framing looks very close. I too have noticed banding in my M42 with the 40D similar to yours? I can`t see why it would be the warmth as the cmos was around 12c when doing it`s run, Maybe interference on the usb line?
But you have done a lovely job, nice and smooth and colors all appeal to me..nice work

Alex,

Thank you. I feel that my focus was lost throughout the night. Nothing a motorised Moonlite can't fix. I'd go the Feathertouch, but, I think it might be pushing the budget. And, I think when it comes to automated focusing, there shouldn't be really any huge noticeable difference between the two.

A cooled CCD is on the cards now. Just need funding.

Originally Posted by AlexN

Very snazzy image H.. That scope definitely produces razor sharp star images doesn't it... Love the colours....

(Get yourself a cooled CCD already.. )

David,

Thank you. I'm really happy with the core, as well. I really, really enjoy post processing and I find creating masks a lot of fun, as, I can fine tune everything to my heart's content.

Originally Posted by DavidU

Nice one H. Lot's of wispy detail and great core processing.

Jeff,

Thank you for the very kind words. After having a tinker on the reduced JPG, I think I may have come up with a way of removing the banding, but, I'm really not too fussed about it now. This object can be imaged again, and, again, and I won't tire of it. I'd like to leave it until next season now, so I can monitor my progress. Hopefully, by that stage, I'll have moved on to a CCD.

I don't think it's the USB line noise issue as these images were being saved directly to the card via Nebulosity.

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

Didnt waste your time doing the trip Humayun. Even considering what you think its short comings may be, its a damn great picture. Im sure a man of your talents, given enough time could cure it of the banding. Im not sure it is caused by USB else you would have seen evidence of it in other photos not necessarily astro. It is way down in the noise levels though, perhaps in a terrestrial shot the S/N ratio sorts it.
Anyway, wont hypothesize any longer.
Choice photo.

Daniel,

Thank you, kind sir.

That's an interesting theory re: mirror lockup. Unfortunately, with the DIG!C III and IV line of processors, mirror lockup is not possible using the USB cable. A purpose built long exposure cable may be able to induce it, though.

Originally Posted by danielsun

Very nice work there H.
I may be wrong, but I think I read or heard somewhere that the banding may be caused by not using mirror lockup. Did you use mirror lockup for this image?
Though still a beautiful image.

Cheers Daniel.

Paul,

Glad you enjoyed it!

Originally Posted by CoolhandJo

Very nice detail and colours

Troy,

Thanks, matey.

That's so odd, your experience goes against what I've read, but, that is something I'm willing to try. I can easily pick up another battery. I do recall in the old days of using the 350D, that using batteries was horrible for amp glow. As soon as you started using an AC power supply, it lessened the noise effects dramatically.

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Top work. Loving the brown dust coming out.

I've had banding similar to that when using AC adapter and mains power for the DSLR, never if I use batteries. Suspecting it's some sort of interference there.

Tom,

Woohoo, a master imager compliments me on the core. Score 1, me!

Originally Posted by Tom Davis

Great image!! You handled the dynamic range of the core wonderfully!!

Tom

Rich,

I'm so sorry you have to up with such terrible conditions. That would drive one insane! I bet your winters are tres uber awesome, though?

Thank you for the compliments and I'm glad you enjoyed the image.

Originally Posted by richardo

Hi Humayan, I feel your pain as this time of year is a pain with dust, heat haze and crap. You guys over on the east part of Aus have a better go of it than I do here though.... I live in a hot, hot, hot, dusty desert, with a bit of salt haze thrown in for good measure LoL..

This image has turned out very nicely so don't sell yourself too short.
Always nice to get a good image of M42 for the year. Nice framing, good vibrant colours and the core is well defined.

All the best for now
Rich

Mike,

Thank you, gentle giant. Much like you enjoy the grain in your images, I like the soft overall look to the image. I certainly wouldn't blur any noise out as it ends up leaving blotchy patches, if not done correctly.

Mike, I often dribble over FLI's products. I'll have a look at their web site and dribble some more.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Lovely shot Humi, nice and gentle, very pleasing on the eye

PS. Don't dissmiss an FLI camera they are very well made, have better cooling, better electronics and as for the self guide..?..on your setup it is really unecessary

MIke

Thank you everyone for looking and commenting. Most appreciated.

H