[peeb61 (Paul)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Very nice, you have to be happy with an image like this as a first light. Things will only improve from here so to take the same image in a years time would be an interesting comparison.
I have several from my early images with a CCD and looking back yours is a masterpiece.
Well done.

Thanks Doug, your input is encouraging and taken on board.

Originally Posted by TrevorW

At least someones collecting photons, well done

Trevor, it was a last minute effort, all day the clouds came and went and we ended up with that misty stuff but a slight breeze picked up and blew it all away, until gone 11pm at least.

Originally Posted by desler

Congratulations Paul, Getting first light under your belt is always a bit of an accomplishment. Onward and upward.

Darren

Many thanks Darren, I still have a few steps to go yet but small steps first.

Originally Posted by cventer

Very nice. Was that with the f4 bintel?

Yes Cventer, this is with the f/4 8" Bintel scope using a Coma Corrector and Deep Sky Filter. The QHY8L sticks out a fair bit from the focuser so its worth keeping an eye on.

Originally Posted by Alchemy

Nice first light. Worthy target too.

RE the flats darks and bias etc.

Do you need them, it depends on how hard you want to push the image. The qhy8 is actually a very smooth and almost noise free camera, I can still say though that for the extra effort your images can only be that little bit better.

In this image the outer loop is easily visible when stretched, the issue becomes how far can I stretch it until the noise becomes objectionable. More frames and quality calibration will extend your possibilities.

Enjoy your new camera.

Thanks Clive, I have tried stacking with Darks and Bias frames and when I did stack them the image came out way too dark almost clipped down to the black end of the histogram and this couldn't be processed out so I don't know where I am going wrong? I still have not got around taking my flats but desperately need them.

Originally Posted by mill

That looks very good for a first light
And if you can, it is better to take at least some flats (yeah i know, i have to do them too ).

Thanks Martin, the flats are the sword in my side as well as they will make the world of difference.

Originally Posted by Ross G

Hi Paul,

Great "first" shot.

Judging by this, some amazing photos are to follow.

The main reason I use darks on my QHY8L is to get rid of some amp glow.

Good luck.

Ross.

Thanks Ross, Amp glow? when do you get this? And how are you stacking your darks? I have had nothing but trouble trying to understand the concept, I never had a problem with my DSLR and yes, this is a new ball game to me.

Originally Posted by Octane

That's a great effort for a first light.

I will strongly endorse the use of flat frames, at the very least. I know that this camera is supposed to be very good insofar as dark noise goes, but, your image can only be better with the use of calibration.

It is quite evident that there is vignetting in this image and flat frames will fix that up.

Keep it up!

H

Thanks H, Flats are on the top of my todo list as well as trying to figure out the darks and bias calibration thing works, I need to read up on all this as its still a new and major step up from the DSLR.