Camcorder captures M42

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I wasn't going to post this image at first, all the other contributions here are so beautiful. But there is no beginners astrophotography section, (hint hint, so we beginners won't feel embarrassed showing off our shonky shots ) so here it is.
I took this this morning while waiting for Saturn to climb a bit higher in the sky.
I reckon I've pushed this camcorder to it's limit to capture this. 862 frames stacked in Registax. Gamma adjustments were used to bring out the nebulosity.


I've got another 800 frame .avi to add to this. But Registax just had a bowel movement and wont process it.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Good onya for posting Jeanette. Personally I believe it's especially important for astrophotographers who are just cutting their teeth to post. It encourages others and it give you a place to gauge your own improvement over time. On our own computers it's tempting to delete those earlier non-award winning attempts but here they can stay for posterity.

If you are having trouble with Registax choking on the Avi, run it through Virtual Dub and save it as individual bmps. Then select all the bmps in Windows explorer and drag and drop them into the Registax window. should work a treat.

[avandonk]

I am amazed you managed to squeeze anything out of a camcorder sensor. They are not designed for lowlight. The real fun of astrophotography is doing it and getting better. We are all limited by our equipment but not by our expertise which takes practice along with a lot of trial and error.
Its my humble belief that we should push our existing equipment to its limits before investing in something 'better'. I personally would like a Hubble (who would not) but I make do with what I have for the time being.

Bert

[h0ughy (David)]

wow, can you get blood from a stone next - thats an amazing feat!

[spearo (Frank)]

I agree with Paul, 'onya for posting!
we all started somewhere (my first post was terrible and I was nervous hitting to submit button). If you dont post you cant get the positive, supportive input of others and that's what's so great about IIS the positive comments that encourage you and also the advice you'll get especially if you ask.

You'll see that your performance will steadily improve and you'll always be able to gauge your own progress with this as a starting point.

It's not a competition or a race, its about having fun and feeling good about learning.

congratulations on the post
keep 'em comin'

cheers
frank

[ving (David)]

great start
better than any i have done

it not about how you image compares to someone elses, it about... well showing what you can do with what you have i guess. but more importantly its about having fun.

[atalas]

Great you captured the trap and I'm sure had a ball doing It !

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Well done JJJ

I must admit that I was a bit nervous posting my moon shots, but you get over the - "OMG that's a bit ordinary" and then you post it any way. Its good to get the feedback and I have been taking copious notes.

Cheers Petra

[Octane (Humayun)]

Jeanette,

That's astounding for a video camera.

I can't believe you picked up all the intricate colours and some detail in the core.

Well done.

Regards,
Humayun