I just got back from taking a couple of photos with the barn door tracker I have been building. My second outing & real attempt at astrophotography. Location: Strathewen, Vic. Taken Approx 10pm
Here's a couple 5x2-3min exposure ISO3200 image stacks at 10mm & 22mm.
If anyone has any hints or tips on photoshop stacking, noise reduction? Maybe a link to a tutorial on this site? I've had a look, nothing jumped out at me. I don't really know much about this type of photography, I'm a newbie!
I hope you like my photos! Let me know what you think.
Nice work. Can you share details of the tracker?
Which version of photoshop are you using, I can point you to some tutes if I know the version.
-P
Thanks Poita!
Tracker details: DIY Project. See photo and quick drawing. I put a T-nut on top and bottom, as I found with only one the all thread flopped around quite a bit. I don't know if this improves anything?
Great pics! Better then my first images with an EQ mount.
Another recommendation for Deep Sky Stacker (its free!)
Also, read up on Flat and Dark frames - Although Flat frames can be tricky to take with a zoom lense. Darks are usually just a matter of putting on your lense cap (and viewfinder cover if you have it).
As for noise, as far as i am aware, lower ISO and more overall exposure time (to get more "good" data) is the only way to go without getting into cooled sensors
Great pics! Better then my first images with an EQ mount.
Another recommendation for Deep Sky Stacker (its free!)
Also, read up on Flat and Dark frames - Although Flat frames can be tricky to take with a zoom lense. Darks are usually just a matter of putting on your lense cap (and viewfinder cover if you have it).
As for noise, as far as i am aware, lower ISO and more overall exposure time (to get more "good" data) is the only way to go without getting into cooled sensors
Thanks for the comments everyone, appreciated!
I downloaded Deep Sky Stacker last night, gave it a trial run, it didn't work too well, lol, obviously I had the wrong settings? I think I better read up on how to use that as well as reading up on Flat and Dark frames, it's all new to me! I'm loving learning about it all
I'll try longer exposures and lower ISO next time I venture out into the darkness! Hopefully I get a chance this weekend, it not looking good though (weather wise)
I used a Canon 500D with the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens, I dont think I mentioned the camera I used.
Wow, really great stuff. I finally stopped umming and ahhing over cameras and bought one this week. Hopefully it arrives before I leave for holidays on the weekend.
More importantly, I should be able to start having a decent go at similar images in good time. Results like yours are very inspiring.
Tangentially related, I went to the big hardware store down the road on the weekend to have a look for Barndoor odds and ends, but couldn't find the 1/4-20TPI bolt my measurements had made out I needed. None of the staff could help either :/ Bloody frustrating! Given your solid results I may ape your design to begin with.
Wow, really great stuff. I finally stopped umming and ahhing over cameras and bought one this week. Hopefully it arrives before I leave for holidays on the weekend.
More importantly, I should be able to start having a decent go at similar images in good time. Results like yours are very inspiring.
Tangentially related, I went to the big hardware store down the road on the weekend to have a look for Barndoor odds and ends, but couldn't find the 1/4-20TPI bolt my measurements had made out I needed. None of the staff could help either :/ Bloody frustrating! Given your solid results I may ape your design to begin with.
I hope your camera arrives for you in time!!!
Allot of the staff at hardware stores wouldn't really know much about threads I'd imagine, I know the staff in the hardware stores in my area aren't very switched on. You probably need to go to a nut & bolts store, the only problem with that is they can get grumpy if you walk in off the street and request one bolt.
I work in an Industrial Supplies store, so I have all of that stuff at hand as well as a whole range of other interesting bits and pieces!
I'll be making another tracker shortly, out of black plastic, just wating for my drill press to arrive!
Let me know what you think.
Hopefully I get a chance this weekend, it not looking good though (weather wise)
