Below is my first image with the GSO 8" f/4 scope that I recently acquired. M42 was my first light with the f/5, so I thought it was only appropriate for it to be the first light of this one too - except that this time, I have a wider FOV and a larger sensor, meaning I was able get Running Man in the frame too.
On a technical note, collimation is a real challenge to say the least. I lost collimation after a simple meridian flip and will need to scratch my head to get good collimation in the first place, and then not to lose it when slewing. A friend suggested foam strips between the primary mirror and mirror holding clips.
I am also aware that there is quite a bit of star flaring. I might mask the the clips on the primary mirror with a design similar to this one.
Otherwise, hope you enjoy looking. Feel free to comment.
Well done, Stephane. There is some amazing detail in those gas/dust clouds, and the stars aren't over-bright, either. (But yeah, those diffraction spikes are a bit much, I agree.)
That's a fine Orion's Sword Stephane, with a well handled natural looking core and trapezium blend (rarely done this well). Any minor star shape issue is only detectable at full resolution and is really just a needling issue at best, makes little to no difference to the quality of the image, which is high. The star flaring is also a non issue for me, various optical systems have little quirks like this, to me it is merely a nuanced part of astronomical imaging
Totally a personal choice but I would try to increase the colour fidelity/saturation just a little bit and see how it looks
Martin, thanks. If there is progress, it's thanks to the high quality help I've been getting. Ryan has been giving me some much needed help with the f/4 already, not to mention the countless other areas I need help with
Hugh, you raise a good point. I will have to look into this.
Mike, thank you for those kind comments and advice. I have a bit of a tendency to add less colour saturation than what most other people would, but I'll give it a fair try. I always appreciate receiving tips. I hope you are enjoying your new dome.
Have to say, I always like punchier edits, so I think you're onto something with the second version. Great detail though. Newts scare me too much with all the collimation stuff. Will stick to 'fracs
Great first light on your new scope, hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Adam. I hope I get collimation under control. Otherwise a refractor might end up on the never-ending wishlist. I don’t know if I could give up the diffraction spikes though which I personally love.
Both of these are wonderful images! I think the second takes it by a small margin for me. Your processing is very good, retaining very natural colour in the dust and trap, and those little niggles that we all obsess over zoomed in at 700x really don’t detract from the overall pic at normal viewing size. I looove your running man- he’s on fire!!! Those are some huge diffraction spikes - is that function of the new scope I wonder?
Steve, that’s a good suggestion, but I guess not to my taste personally. Hopefully in the coming weeks I can get some more experience with the f/4 and learn to collimate it more effectively.
Warren, thank you. I think my favourite will be somewhere between the two versions. I suppose colour saturation is to each person’s taste, and mine probably leans on the lesser side. I’m glad you like both versions though. Thanks.
Martin, again, I appreciate the kind comments. They encourage me to continue learning. So many experienced imagers here to learn from. True though, I doubt a refractor will be purchased any time soon. I’d much rather put the funds toward a zwo asi2600mm, filter wheel, and some filters.
Dave, thank you so much. I personally love these large diffraction spikes and hope they don’t go anywhere anytime soon. I’m more annoyed with the star flares. I’ve just ordered a primary mirror mask from here. I’m looking forward to seeing if it makes any difference.
very well imaged 
- is that function of the new scope I wonder?
