The Triffid (450D on 8 inch, taken at Qld AF)

[RobF (Rob)]

I've played with this on and off a bit over the last few weeks, and don't think I have the skill to do much more with it. I was initially a bit disappointed not to be able to pull more depth out of the red and blue, but very pleasantly surprised how much surrounding dust I was able to resolve. Pushing further brings out more dust but makes it less look a lot less honest I feel.

Just for comparison I've also posted a previous city effort, which at the time I thought was pretty decent, but I'm now realising just what a boon clear dark skies are. Mind you, it was very cold the first night or two, which no doubt also helped with noise. I can understand the blues being harder to tame with a pollution filter in place, but it really is striking how many more stars and how much colour comes out.

M21 sneaking into the frame on the left.

1st image taken 1st night (Fri) Qld Astrofest:
14 x 5 mins ISO 400. 450D + MPCC on 8 inch Newt
Temp 3 degrees

2nd image 12/7/09 from Brisbane:
7 x 5 mins ISO 800. 450D + IDAS pollution filter/MPCC
Temp 12 degrees

[jase (Jason)]

Darn sharp image Rob. I usually go for something a little more softer, but I must say I like what you've put together. Looks like jpeg compression causing a little grief, but a fine posting. Well done.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Sharp as Rob. I like the second shot. Actually I like it a lot. Well done.

[RB (Andrew)]

Rob you've done very well with the Triffid.
Jase has summed up in a nutshell what I would have said.

Nice work mate.

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by jase

Darn sharp image Rob. I usually go for something a little more softer, but I must say I like what you've put together. Looks like jpeg compression causing a little grief, but a fine posting. Well done.

I must confess I've got in the habit of using Canon Digital Photo Professional to do the final jpg compression and resize of my TIFs after Photoshop and do usually apply some final sharpening at that point - looks like I've got a bit carried away. I found I had to use the highest compression setting I've ever needed on this pic and the veil shots to come in under 200kb - possibly due to the number of stars visible?

Any thoughts on how to handle jpeg artifacts better?

Thanks for looking too Jase!

Originally Posted by multiweb

Sharp as Rob. I like the second shot. Actually I like it a lot. Well done.

Thanks Marc! Even though less stars and dust visible, I was happy how the reds and blues came out in the end in that one.

Originally Posted by RB

Rob you've done very well with the Triffid.
Jase has summed up in a nutshell what I would have said.

Nice work mate.

Many thanks Andrew