Hi Guys I have been browsing through some of my older images when i first started imaging, (which is not that long ago actually) and one of the more recent ones from last week, I think there is an improvement.
Comments please.
The first 5d (Un-Modded) and Tak, The second 5d (Modded) and Tak.
It is hard to really compare at this low res but I think your earlier image is actually a little better in some ways, it shows more variation in the colour and intensity in the nebula. The bright regions in this nebula are in fact a slightly different colour to the fainter outer extensions, because the area is so bright it should appear slightly whiter and brighter IMO, the more recent image has lost this variation a bit to me..?
Thanks Mike and Mike, I have to agree with you Mike about the colour of the last image, still trying to get the processing right.
Having said that the last image was processed in Deep Sky Stacker, which gives a vast difference in colour compared to Image Plus, however I'm working on taking the combined image from Image Plus directly to PS2 and see how that goes,
Very nice Leon! both of them! and a huge difference, though I have to admit I quite like the first one better also
I'll be coming to you for processing lessons lol
the dilema of color balance.... just wait long enough and some one will tell you its meant to be red. Its good both of them are in the same size, the second shows much more Ha .... this is the modded version versus the unmodded camera... in which case you would expect a difference.
As to which i prefer...... i like a bit of blueishness in the centre of the neb.... but thats only a personal preference, but the second shows more Ha in the surrounds, look around the web even on APOD and you will find a vast array of color variations for any given object.... that in itself can be frustrating. Eta is a complex nebula with lots of variations in it...the one Peter ward put up the other day (not one of his) was too blue for me but each to his own. i did M8 recently and have had all sorts of trouble trying to work out the color for the same reasons.
The image is too small to tell if the stars are sharper or tracking is better so we will let you be the judge on that.
If they are the same scale you could overlay them in photoshop and try different blending methods to see what happens.
Clive hit the nail on the head.
I've seen so many gorgeous images which knocked my socks off but then read comments regarding the colour being all wrong.
How do we determine what is right? Is there a standard set down somewhere?
Like both for similar reasons to those already stated...
Colour variation in pic#1, and the extended nebulosity in pic#2.
Like Clive said...layering in PS might yield a nice result.
Probably like you leon, I'm hoping that by modding the camera, I haven't sacrificed those blue-ish colours for red,red and more red!!!!!!!
I suppose every new technical hardware improvement is accompanied by challenges at the processing level too.
Bring it on!!!
Doug
Gee, Andrew that is different, not sure if i really like that effect though, but i know where you guys are coming from, it is very difficult at times to know what is right.
However at the end of the day I think if we do it in a way that is appealing to ourselves than any colour is right, it is not that this is our bread and butter, so to speak, and if you dont get it right, your fired.
A bit drastic, I know, but they will be posted here once and than either left on the hard drive, printed and put in an album to be never seen again, or hung on the wall.
Whatever, If we are happy with it so be it, and to the novice, partner, wife, friend who knows nothing about imaging, they look fantastic, with comments like, gee that is great, how do you do that
Gee, Andrew that is different, not sure if i really like that effect though, but i know where you guys are coming from, it is very difficult at times to know what is right.
I agree, it comes down to personal taste, I was just curious to see how it would look.
I've been use to my 20Da for so long now which, to me gives a nice balance of 'normal' and 'modded' or Ha response.
I think certain objects come out better with un-modded cameras, other come out better with modded cameras.
There needs to be understanding by the operator as to what their equipment is capable of and it just takes practice and experimentation.
I think certain objects come out better with un-modded cameras, other come out better with modded cameras.
There needs to be understanding by the operator as to what their equipment is capable of and it just takes practice and experimentation. __________________
Andrew you are dead right, experimenting, and trying different techniques is the way to go, so it looks like a big learning curve coming up for me at least.
Lovely shots both... I also like the two combined.
I actually like more colour variation compared with the all red despite the gain in detail... why is it that unmodded cameras show this two tone effect...is there some small difference in the frequency of light being emmitted in the centre of the neb that falls the other side of the filter roll-off in the camera (and so over-emphasises the colour difference)?
but thank you for the compliment 
