My first "decent" astrophotos

[cpoc]

Since re-igniting my love of astronomy and finding these forums I have been very keen to try some astrophotography... well for a long time that was not overly possible... trying to manually hold a camera steady was just hopeless. So I got a little inventive (a common refuge for those of us with shallow pockets I suspect). Using some PVC pipes that I had bought for another DIY project (they ended up being too flexible at the lengths I required them for) I put together a rough but functional "tripod"... this coupled with the camera in the backyard actually yielded results that I am quite pleased with.

So without further ado... my first astro images posted on IceInSpace.

I should also note that the camera used for these images was simply an Olympus FE-270 so I had bare minimal control over exposure etc... I believe I had it set to fireworks mode for these shots... most are stacks of three images taken in reasonably quick succession (ie as soon as I could set the timer function and make sure the "tripod" was reasonably wobble free)

[Matty P (Matt)]

Nice results Cpoc,

They are definitely better than my first attmepts. A little post processing could bring out a bit more detail. Other than that a great start.

A nice DIY tripod, looks very functional.

[leon]

Cpoc, with your limited equipment and the fact that this is your first attempt, you have captured some nice images, keep at it and keep them coming.

Leon

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

You've got to be happy with that for a first go.
Have you tried shooting the moon yet?

[AlexN]

I agree with jjjnettie - give the moon some attention!

They are some good shots, And I always love to see some DIY action... I had never thought of a DIY tripod!

Nice work on both the astrophotography and DIY fronts!

[Phil]

Nice work there better them my first shots.
Phil

[cpoc]

Thanks everyone. I have actually tried taking some pictures of the moon but end up with it far too bright so there are no real details... I might have to try fiddling with some of the settings on the camera (the problem is it's really designed for point and shoot and doesn't allow much altering of settings beyond set modes).

I will get out there again and try some more... though looks cloudy now... at least if it rains it might wash some of that smoke out of the sky.

Thanks again for the encouraging words... it's from seeing pictures by people like all of you that has ecouraged me to try for myself... I shall keep on trying too