Saturn from Mapleton

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

The first ToUcam images taken through the C11 at Mapleton observatory, 16-1-05. Seeing abou 3-3 1/2 out of 5. Transparency - Bewdiful.

Would someone offer a suggestion on how to get more colour in my images. I like the browns but my imagination seems to see more yellows mixed with the browns.

[gbeal]

Paul,
not sure how to better "your" colour, but all I do is get the image started on the screen, and uncheck the auto white balance box. Fiddle with the focus or whatever for a short time, and then check the auto white balance again, allowing the ToUcam to sort it's own colour out, then lock that colour into the settings. Worked for me with Mars, and the big two.
I also use a We Cam Control program, can't remember the URL, but I sent it to Ice a while back, so if he doesn't chime in, I will dig it out.
Regards,
Gary

[iceman (Mike)]

Very nice Saturn Paul, looks great!

As for colour, make sure you have Saturation way up high in the ToUcam settings - I keep forgetting this one until I get a few colourless images, then I remember to push it high again.. Go almost all the way, I use 90-100% most times.

The program gary is referring to is called "wcctrl" or "wcctl", do a search and ye shall find!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Ahh that's the problem. I have my saturation way down round about 20 - 25%. I've been slowly pulling my hair out (fortunately I've got plenty of that still) trying to pull colour out of it using both Reg 3 and PS.

Ok Gary, that's something else I wasn't fully aware of, I've been keeping the white balance checked all the time up until I'm ready to go then I uncheck it. I'll give those two suggestions a go.

I'll also check out that "wcctrl" or whatever.

BTW Mike I take my hat off to you, ToUcamming with a Dob. I've been very spoilt with the Meade and it mirror lock and microfocuser (thank you, thank you). Trying to focus last night with the C11 mirror moving the saturn image all over the place as we focused nearly drove me *nuts* (I had an apprentice last night, which would make me laugh if he wasn't so serious). It must be a nightmare with a manually guided Dob. So good on you. It puts your imaging into a class of their own,

[iceman (Mike)]

It must be a nightmare with a manually guided Dob

heh yep, it certainly can be.. and thanks for your comments.. I guess imaging with a dob almost is in a class of its own, and most people i've spoken to with dobs have never thought about trying to image with it, except for the occassional afocal shot.

It can be a pain in the rear, but results can be achieved with patience, and my technique is improving. One day when I having a tracking EQ6 and my newt sitting on top, i'll be in heaven

And I know what you mean about focussing.. at high magnification, I have 8-10 seconds each pass in which I have to get colour balance right, focus right, etc. Usually it takes a couple of passes to be sure it's right.. and yep, every time I turn the focus knob the whole image shakes about and makes it even harder to tell if it is focussed.

That's the reason for me getting V's moonlite - the feathertouch control will hopefully make it much easier to do fine adjustments to focus without wobbling the whole image about.

[Comet Hunter]

While searching for WcCtrl, which is here...

http://www.burri-web.org/bm98/soft/wcctrl/screens.htm

I came across this interesting site thought others might find usefull...

http://www.astro-imaging.de/astro/webcam_imaging_2.html

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I found that too Andrew. Not a bad little starters tutorial I thought from the quick scan I gave it.

Gary I downloaded WtCtrl. I really like the ability to finely adjust your settings and know what number they are set to, plus to be able to quickly save them. I might give it a whirl with the LPI rather than using Autostar. Could work out well for DSO's

Thanks for the heads up

[beren]

Paul great image , id be pretty happy if i could produce something similar , the colour looks fine and looks like what i see through the eyepiece .