Dragons again...

[Drac0 (Mark)]

I have a Canon 300mm F4L lens that I use for (among other normal photography) EAA connected to a ASI224MC. I've been meaning to connect my 294MM Pro but when I consider it I normally can't be bothered due to having to manually refocus when it's needed, mostly on filter changes. But last night I bit the bullet and gave it a go. And it was still a hassle even with just one filter change - even with a fine focuser Joshua made for me (worked well). Thankfully the temp remained pretty steady so I didn't need to adjust for that too!

Chose the Dragons Of Ara (NGC 6188) as I knew it was a target I could get enough data in one night to produce a reasonable image. This lens it also has a wide enough FoV to capture the "Dragons Egg" (NGC 6164) in the same image.

Due to having a few issues I ended up with a little less data than I was hoping for so the final image consists of 15 x 10min Ha & 12 x 10min Oiii, a total of 4.5 hours. As this was really a session to test out how well the lens worked with the 294MM I'm happy with the result and now know that the lens is just fine for astro work, with nice round stars right to the corners.

Cheers,
Mark

Canon 300mm F4L lens
ASI294MM Pro @ -10°C
Antlia 3nm OIII & Ha filters
SW EQ6-R Pro
Guide scope: 90mm F5.5 StarSky w/ASI120mm-S

Software:
Astro Photography Tool (APT) v4.25
PHD2, EQMOD
Stacked with ASTAP
Processed with PhotoShop & StarNet++

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Ooooohh... That's good, very good.

Looks like you've found a great setup for wide-field work. Can't wait to see more of what it can do.

Cheers,
V

[oska (John)]

Very nice Mark, well done.

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Thanks!

With unsuitable weather around I've been working on my post processing skills & I think I like this version a little better. Still need to work on bringing out the areas of nebulosity that I want to make "pop" but getting there I think.

Cheers,
Mark

[Doogs38 (Alex)]

That's a great looking capture, Mark. Of the two, I prefer to the reddish palette more typical of HOO. That said, your bluer image seems to draw out the more subtle detail in the bottom dust/gas clouds. Nice work. Alex

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Thanks Alex, trying to find a balance between the two but the skill isn't quite there yet. Going to keep trying on these useless nights.

[xelasnave]

Sorry Mark I thought I had posted on this...anyways I have not so I am now..great image and I really like your approach..it is just like being there..not that I have been there but your image has that feeling to it...well done.

alex

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Thanks Alex

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Super image indeed, lovely deep detail in that really nice fluffy stuff

A little blue for me but that does not take away from the image.

Clear skies