Processing and stacking software advice.

[bluesilver (Peter)]

Hi, Just basically interested to know what sort of software i should be looking at for processing and stacking images.

Now i am only just at the beginning, a new starter to all of this, so please bear with me if i am now quiet up to speed.

First off, I have just done a full spectrum modification of a Canon EOS 600D
So i want to find out the best way to stack and them process the images,
Just what programs i should be looking at, then i can look up youtube videos to find out how to go about it if that makes sense?

At the moment, all my images are very red, different shades of reds, I take it that this is what you get when you do a full modification by removing the IR-cut filter
( I removed both filters and replaced it with the Astronomik MC clear class )

So now looking what the next steps are in the way of programs to use, I don't mean to sound cheap, by if possible the free download versions if possible?

I did come across a program called pixinsight and another called registax.

Any advice or information would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[ChrisV (Chris)]

I really like pixinsight for both, but it ain't cheap.

I started with deepskystacker to stack (free) and startools (cheap) to process. Both did a good job.

Cheers Chris

[gregbradley]

Deep Sky Stacker is what a lot use. Sequator is another good stacking program but more for nightscapes.

Create a custom white balance for your camera and set it as the white balance to be used. Quick and easy and it get rid of the excess red. Then when you process the images it may still have excess red but not so much.

Greg.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Peter
I’ve use a Canon 600D ( unmodded) with my 6” and 8” newts for both DSO and Planetary Imaging over the past 3 years and started with Deep Sky Stacker ( free) for stacking and Startools for processing
Still using both now and very happy with the results imaging from both Bortle 8 Sydney and Bortle 3 weekender south coast NSW
Martin

[Startrek (Martin)]

Peter,
Sorry forgot to mention I use Autostakkert 3 ( stacking ) and Registax 6 ( processing) for Planetary Imaging . Both free open sourced software
Cheers
Martin

[bluesilver (Peter)]

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.
So basically for DSO use Deep Sky Stacker for stacking and Startools for processing.

For planetary use Autostakkert 3 for stacking and Registax 6 for processing.

Dose that sound roughly about right?

I will also look into the white balance, haven't even looked at this yet.
Al sounds very interesting.

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

Have a look at "Images Plus" by Mike Unsold.

He recently began to give it away for free.

http://www.mlunsold.com/ILOrdering.html

I believe it is quite strong in the use of DSLRs although I have not used it recently for DSLR's, so I don't know what up-to-date Canon DSLR's it can handle.

Cheers

Dennis

[Startrek (Martin)]

[QUOTE=bluesilver;1486408]Thanks for the replies, appreciated.
So basically for DSO use Deep Sky Stacker for stacking and Startools for processing.

For planetary use Autostakkert 3 for stacking and Registax 6 for processing.

Dose that sound roughly about right?

Dennis
Yep spot on !
If you choose these programs I can send you basic Procedure / user guides for both if you wish
Martin

[Tulloch (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by bluesilver

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.

For planetary use Autostakkert 3 for stacking and Registax 6 for processing.

Dose that sound roughly about right?

Almost - for planetary you need to filter out the IR (so the opposite of the mod you just did ) otherwise the planets will look too red.

You also need to capture the planets in Liveview 5x zoom mode using some dedicated software like Backyard EOS (like I did). The website below shows more information about the process, fortunately BYEOS has a dedicated planetary mode to assist. It's not free, but it is cheap (and can be used for DSO capture also).

https://www.astropix.com/html/i_astr...esolution.html

The best focal ratio to capture the planets is 5x the pixel size of the camera - so you will need a Barlow to get you to about f/20.

Andrew

[bluesilver (Peter)]

Thanks heaps for the advice.
Sorry for the delay in replying, on a night shift roster.

I am definitely going to have to have a look into theses.

I got the camera sorted out now by doing the custom white balance.
Works out brilliant, no more reds over everything and the colours come out very similar to the ones you see people posting.

Will take a look at Backyard EOS, sounds interesting.

Very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Peter.