Deep Sky Marathon - Widefields, M42, Zeta Orionis, M8 & Trifid

[John K]

Equipped with my new 400D and a 12.5" f/5 set off yesterday for my first ever prime focus imaging trip and also wanted to test the Sigma 17-70mm lens bought recently. Headed 250kms north of Melbourne to Terrick Terrick NP. As I am totally trying to avoid the pain of learning the drift alignment process I simply locked the scope to 90 degrees dec. and pointed the scope as close to Sigma Octanis to the SCP as possible. Unable to guide, my longest exposure was 130 seconds. Challanging stuff! Cannot wait to get an off axis guider or small guidescope, and polar alignment at the moment is my biggest challange. The 400D even unmodified seems like an amazing camera and I never thought that even with such short exposures it would suck up so much nebulosity out of objects. Even at ISO1600 it is very low on noise. Getting a shot of M8 was worth the entire trip on it's own right!

M42
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393609991/

Zeta Orionis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393609992/

Lagoon (M8)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709200/

Trifid
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709204/

LMC & SMC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709198/

Crux & Carina
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709190/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393609993/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709194/

Scorpius Milky Way Rising
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/393709209/


Comments welcome and enjoy!

John.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

very nice John. I also have a 400D and it is great to know that it has some capabilities unmodified. I love the milkyway shot - about my limit at the moment without any motorised mounts. Can't wait for winter. The Sigma 17-70 lens is on my wishlist too!

thanks for posting

[h0ughy (David)]

NIce stuff John

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Nice collection John, you must be quite satisfied?

The colour balance is pretty good and the overall processing too.

Do you camp at your dark sky site? What power supply do you run off in the field?

Mike

[iceman (Mike)]

Wow John, what a great collection.

That M8 shot is easily the best, stunning!

Well done!

[Dennis]

What a great portfolio of images John – some real gems there. Well done.

Cheers

Dennis

[Garyh]

Very well done there John, looks like you have been real busy the last few nights!!!
Cheers Gary

[RB (Andrew)]

Well done, you've got some nice images there.

[John K]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Nice collection John, you must be quite satisfied?

The colour balance is pretty good and the overall processing too.

Do you camp at your dark sky site? What power supply do you run off in the field?

Mike

Hi Mike, I use a Celestron 17 amp Powertank. Don't camp there, just set up at sunset and go for most of the night before driving back home!

[Ric]

A lovely collection of images John.

Great work