Software advice please

caj1311 (Cindi) · #1 07-01-2016, 12:32 PM

So at the moment, I am shooting HR video on my DSLR which uses a mov format. I then go through VirtualDub, PIPP, Registax, and finally Lightroom/Photoshop. Can anyone tell me whether MaximDL would be able to do all of this (and hence significantly streamline the process)? I am wanting software for autoguiding also, and am looking at PHD vs MaximDL, but if MaximDL could simplify all the other programs into one I could just about justify the cost...

carlstronomy (Carl) · #2 07-01-2016, 12:41 PM

Hi Cindi,

That's a very long list of processes, I am sure there must be a much simpler way for you too achieve a final result.

Can I start of by asking what you wish to pursue, planetary imaging, deep space imaging or both.

Secondly, what equipment do you have at your disposal at present.

Carl

caj1311 (Cindi) · #3 07-01-2016, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlstronomy

Hi Cindi,

That's a very long list of processes, I am sure there must be a much simpler way for you too achieve a final result.

Can I start of by asking what you wish to pursue, planetary imaging, deep space imaging or both.

Secondly, what equipment do you have at your disposal at present.

Carl

So, I am brand new to this astrophotography thing - my end point is to do some deep space imaging, but I am still practicing my alignment (and waiting for my autoguider

) so in the meantime have been practicing with Jupiter and the moon. Equipment wise I am using a Celestron 1100 on a CGEM DX mount, and shooting with a Nikon D810. I have not actually progressed to taking a laptop with me "out in the field" (which at the moment is out on our paddock!) but I know that I need to go there (and once the autoguider comes it is a necessity). Any advice would be very welcome.

Somnium (Aidan) · #4 07-01-2016, 02:44 PM

i wouldnt jump to Maxim DL with that set up. if you are looking to do Deep sky imaging with your gear, i think backyard Nikon and PHD will do the trick. you can then use Deep sky stacker to pre-process the images and your post processing software of choice (if you have photoshop then great) total cost for that software (minus PS) around $35. registax is great for planetary work, not DSO imaging. i have used PIPP but haven't really seen better results than just registax. not sure what virtualdub is ...

caj1311 (Cindi) · #5 07-01-2016, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

i wouldnt jump to Maxim DL with that set up. if you are looking to do Deep sky imaging with your gear, i think backyard Nikon and PHD will do the trick. you can then use Deep sky stacker to pre-process the images and your post processing software of choice (if you have photoshop then great) total cost for that software (minus PS) around $35. registax is great for planetary work, not DSO imaging. i have used PIPP but haven't really seen better results than just registax. not sure what virtualdub is ...

I was using virtualdub to convert my mov files to bmp files so that PIPP could process them. I could not find many astro programs that could work with mov files? Do you know whether Deep Sky Stacker does, or am I still going to have to convert the mov files to something it can deal with?

Somnium (Aidan) · #6 07-01-2016, 04:26 PM

Dss doesn't take movie files, it works off images , so you would load your RAW files into it , for deep sky objects you wouldn't capture video footage

caj1311 (Cindi) · #7 07-01-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

Dss doesn't take movie files, it works off images , so you would load your RAW files into it , for deep sky objects you wouldn't capture video footage

Of course (D'Oh!) - thanks

carlstronomy (Carl) · #8 08-01-2016, 02:08 AM

Hi totally agree with Somnium

DS imaging.

BackyardNIKON is a great piece of software for deep sky imaging and your camera is supported by it (I use BackyardEOS for my Canon). Also use PHD guiding (Free) with your guide camera you will be able to take images directly to your laptop with this combo. You can then stack with deepskystacker (Free) and conduct your final adjustments in Photoshop.

Solar System

Your camera records in H.264 MPEG4 mode which I don't believe any astro software imports. You could use any free MPEG to AVI converter and use Registax (Free) and again do your final adjustments in Photoshop.

Like you i am fairly new to this and have only being going for a couple of years. There is a lot of great software out there but it can get very confusing especially for beginners because most of them are very heavy duty. Both DSS and Registax are fairly simple to use, very good and free. Go for the more complex software once you get the basics down, its hard hard enough to learn to collect good data and that's more important at the start. The processing will follow as you move forward.

And don't forget there are always people here willing to help just ask.

Carl

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #9 08-01-2016, 10:12 AM

Cindi, I wouldn't bother with such a complex app just yet, most of the software you need to get going is free or relatively inexpensive.

What guide camera did you buy? Many guide cams, being sensitive, also double up as decent planetary cameras

A C11 on a CGEM DX is quite a setup to begin with...the real key to imaging is polar alignment. You want to nail your polar alignment good enough so that you don't get any drift in Dec. Every mount "drifts" in RA, and that's what you want the auto guider to correct, ideally. There's also periodic error to consider...

Oh and while you're getting started, you might find a reducer useful...not just because of the reduced focal length but because of the faster f/stop, which keeps the required exposure times down.

caj1311 (Cindi) · #10 08-01-2016, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Cindi, I wouldn't bother with such a complex app just yet, most of the software you need to get going is free or relatively inexpensive.

What guide camera did you buy? Many guide cams, being sensitive, also double up as decent planetary cameras

A C11 on a CGEM DX is quite a setup to begin with...the real key to imaging is polar alignment. You want to nail your polar alignment good enough so that you don't get any drift in Dec. Every mount "drifts" in RA, and that's what you want the auto guider to correct, ideally. There's also periodic error to consider...

Oh and while you're getting started, you might find a reducer useful...not just because of the reduced focal length but because of the faster f/stop, which keeps the required exposure times down.

I ended up getting the Lodestar x2 - could not find anyone to say anything bad about it! I have been getting the low down in the beginners chat forum regarding autoguiding and polar alignment, as I know it is all going to be crucial at my focal length. I see a lot of people talking about reducers (or have used them in the details of the photos they post) - I don't know anything about them - maybe something else I need to look in to