Finally Starting to Stack the Lagoon

[stevenc77]

Hi everyone. I have finally started to get the whole stacking thing working after much research and way too many hours, and at times I thought it would simply never happen! Can anyone give me some advice on my new image. I have included my first ever prime focus image from a few months back as a basis for comparison. I used Iris and stacked nine 15 second exposures at ISO 1000 this time. How long an effective exposure would begin to really bring out some fine detail by stacking smaller, say 15 second exposures. What would be the optimal ISO for a digital SLR??? Steve.

[theodog (Jeff)]

Great progress there Steve.
I prefered ISO 400 for my 300D and stacked 6x5min exp's (30min).
Others will have ideas regarding processing to help with extreem detail.
Well done.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by stevenc77

Can anyone give me some advice on my new image. I have included my first ever prime focus image from a few months back as a basis for comparison. I used Iris and stacked nine 15 second exposures at ISO 1000 this time. How long an effective exposure would begin to really bring out some fine detail by stacking smaller, say 15 second exposures. What would be the optimal ISO for a digital SLR??? Steve.

hi steve.

have a look at Rics images, he does a remarkable job of stacking short exposures (just do a search)

optimal iso ... possibly 800. if you have deepsky stacker have a look in the help file as it has a little write up about it.

the rule generally is longer exposures and more of them give a better image, but just do what both you and your gear are capable of and go longer as you gain confidence.

cheers clive

[RB (Andrew)]

Yep I agree, ISO 800 but 'sometimes' I'll try ISO 400 on brighter objects.
Also agree on longer exposures but again you have to stay withing the limits of your mount.