Well here is my poor effort at M83 that I took over the weekend. The large version is very ordinary and has lots of smears all over it. Still I thought I would show you what you can get with a scope covered in dew and effectively only acting as a 4 inch scope.
This shot is a combination of subs to reach 32 minutes. Would like to try again with 1600 ISO at 2 minutes. Do some you more experienced guys agree that this would produce a better result? Need some guidance here.
Nothing poor about that Paul, i'd be very happy to capture a galaxy like you have, especially given dewy conditions.
As Eddie said, it has taken him literally years to get the sort of results he is achieving.. you honestly can't compare your images to anyone else's right now..
Differences in conditions, equipment, cameras, capture times, settings, processing and experience all make up the final image.
Just compete with yourself and as long as you're happy with the improvements you make, then that's all that matters. Just think back to your Jupiter shots at the start of the season, versus your shots at the end.. huge difference in just a few months. I'm sure it will be the same for your DSOs.
Nothing wrong with that Paul, it is more than OK. Like Ice said it takes time, and lots of it.
I took a few last night as well, and have yet to stack them, so expect to see worse than what you have here.
Gary
Apart from looking like you have a bit of a focus problem, (or is that from the dew?) Paul, there's nothing poor about it. Definately a shot to act as your benchmark.
Don't get me wrong guys, it is that I have invested a lot of time in the last year and my images have improved out of site in the last six months, but I have got to a point where I expect to get good images and when I don't I get sore at myself.
I have very high standards and I apply those to myself all the time. Just the perfectionist in me.
Your "high standards"are paying off Paul, keep the pics coming cause i can only see little fuzz balls when i look at galaxys, so i look forward to seeing everyones pics.
Yes that images shows the spiral structure quite clearly. How "bright" are yoyr original shots. I find that if you do a histogram on the camera, if the histogram peak is, say about 1/3 way across, then its nicely exposed. If the peak is hard up against the left side, its under exposed, more than 1/2 way across then its starting to get overexposed. If you can guide longer, try longer exposures but at a lower ISO and see how you go.
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