I'd like to present my first image from last week's session.
It's a total of 2.5 hours worth of data using the 20Da at 400 ISO through the TOA-130 guided with PHD and the Orion StarShoot AG and Short Tube 80.
Various exposures used from 10 min down to 1 min with darks, flats and bias frames applied.
This was the first time I used my EL Panel light box to create my flats and I'm very happy with the results.
Wow – that is a breathtaking and beautiful image of this stunning region! I’m very glad that I have a 1600x1200 monitor and by using F11 in the browser, I got to see this in all its glory.
Strangely enough, I preferred it rotated 90 degrees in Portrait mode?
The subtle tones and colours give the image great depth with the patterns of twisting gas clouds reminding me of those 3D relief maps of mountain ranges, showing curving ridges and hollowed out sheer faces.
Top image here Andrew..
Looks like the TOA scope handles CA very well.
Don't mind your colour rendition, guess the slight greenish/blueish areas represent OIII.
I'm a bit with Humayun that it could stand a tad more contrast. This would really bring out the dark nebulous areas.
Other than that, this is really a good show case for your setup and what can be achieved.
A really lovely job Andrew, on a stunning target, you must be very proud of this effort.
An image to really get lost in, the fine structure and intricate detail is just so impressive as is the sharpness and resolution of the star images.
Wondered what it would look like with the sky a tad darker, I am only just getting into this and don't feel remotely qualified to comment on the technical aspects of your image.
It looks amazing as is but would the contrast of a darker background help or hinder the overall look?
I hope you don't mind, but, I had a very, very quick play with this and came up with this. It might look too red thanks to my red-deficient notebook screen.
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate
Nice job, showcases what that cheap Chinese plate glass achromat can do very nicely
Perhaps the colours aren't all that attractive..? but it is still a quality image for sure. Not sure I like what Humi did to it though (sorry Humi, still love ya work ). I would love to see a full res version or some close up crops to get a btter idea of the resolution you are getting with that 5" plastic lens and the bayer matrix infested chip. Even though you are still using a DSLR I recon the res wouldn't be too shabby...?
That's one problem I need to deal with more carefully because my monitor has such a wide gamut and what looks fine on my screen may not look right on another.
I've included a screen capture of the corresponding images to show the difference in the histograms:
First is the original.
Next is the new version.
I do like my images to have a slightly brighter background (as can be seen from the histogram not starting at around zero), it's just a personal preference and that's what I pass on to others too when asked for advice.
As you know this avoids clipping the black point.
I also like the colours as they turned out, slight salmon hues and hints of greenish/blueish areas like Rich said, just a slightly different feel to a very popular target like Eta.
It's actually fairly close to how the "colour ratio" was from the camera.
Anyway thanks again for your feedback, just what I was after because you tend to go cross-eyed after looking at your own image for such a long time when processing, it's good to have other's opinions.
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate
Nice job, showcases what that cheap Chinese plate glass achromat can do very nicely
Perhaps the colours aren't all that attractive..? but it is still a quality image for sure. Not sure I like what Humi did to it though (sorry Humi, still love ya work ). I would love to see a full res version or some close up crops to get a btter idea of the resolution you are getting with that 5" plastic lens and the bayer matrix infested chip. Even though you are still using a DSLR I recon the res wouldn't be too shabby...?
Mike
now, YOU have Guinness ma boy!
Mike
Sorry I was writing my reply while you posted yours.
Thanks mate glad you liked it, I'll see what I can do for some 100% crops.
Yep still learning about colour.....a little off probably because of the cheap glass and infested bayer matrix or because Mike Brady says so
I hope you don't mind, but, I had a very, very quick play with this and came up with this. It might look too red thanks to my red-deficient notebook screen.
Regards,
Humayun
NGC 3372 - Eta: 2.5 hours - high res.
.
(sorry Humi, still love ya work 
