Carina with all the 'wrong' equipment

[i.baker (Manny)]

First post, please be gentle

As per the title - I've recently caught the 'bug' however my finances don't extend to my aspirations

In any event, this is one of my favourite attempts so far, using a cheap Gumtree sourced 102/500 Skywatcher achromatic refractor on an old Skywatcher AltAz GOTO mount, with a Canon 600D. This image is comprised of 30 x 40 second lights, with 10 darks, stacked in DSS, processed in GIMP and a tickle in Adobe Lightroom to try to attend to the chromatic aberration.

[Mickoid (Michael)]

Manny, you're being very hard on yourself. With the equipment you have, you have done very well. We all have to start somewhere and starting off with gear that's not going to break the bank account is a good idea. I started my digital astrophotography journey with similar equipment. CA is always going to be an issue with a fast achro, there are ways, like you've done, to reduce it in post processing but ultimately the best results will be with an apochromatic telescope. It's good to have a play with what you've got for a while to refine your skills in focusing, exposure control, calibration frames, polar alignment and processing. Then when you win Tattslotto, you'll be ready to buy your dream scope and camera!

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Hey Manny,

As Michael said - you've done well, and it's a great first post.

If I can offer advice, collect more light frames to capture as much detail as you can. You're in a (relatively) darker sky than most of us, so use it to your advantage.

Maybe drop the ISO setting a bit to try and reduce any over-exposing of the stars?

Cheers,
V

[i.baker (Manny)]

Thanks for the kind words and feedback guys.

Yeah good advice - I'm keen to try getting more data for the next project to learn just how much data is 'enough' before hitting diminishing returns.

I've previously played around with the ISO a little too. Those were taken at ISO 800 which seems to be the internet's recommendation for the 600D. I've messed around with 400 ISO, but haven't had much success with the 30-40 max second subs that I can manage with the mount.

[Dave882 (David)]

Great image and there’s certainly no shame in starting off with a modest setup. Well done!!

[bojan]

There is nothing wrong with your equipment.. more important is the proper use of it, which you did quite well.
There was a saying in Montenegro:
"Fight does not beat bright weapons, but battle beats the heart of a hero." - Petar Petrović Njegoš said a long time ago

[xelasnave]

You are doing well...and remember this...if you compare yourself with others you will become vain and bitter for there will always be greater and lesser astro photos than your own....not my words nor the exact words from where it came from...

It's fun, it's a challenge ...and it does not matter how good the equipment becomes the challenge just gets greater...so have fun.

You have done very well and believe me you can be proudcofvsuch a good effort.

Alex

[i.baker (Manny)]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, now to wait for some more clear skies