my first attempts at imaging

[A23649 (Nathan)]

Here are some of my first images i have taken of DSO items. I did not polar align, i simply pointed it roughly south and did a three star align. Due to the poor/non-existant polar alignment i have small star trails within the images. They were all single 15 second exposures with a 8" f/4 newtonian on a Skywatcher eq5 mount with a Canon 1000D DSLR. The images are of Centaurus A and Omega Centauri. If any of the more experienced people here can manipulate the images go ahead. All the images have not been processed. i must say i have been bitten by the astrophotography bug as it is extremely addictive.

cheers
Nathan

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Nathan, do you use a remote timer on your camera?
If not, try setting the camera's built in timer for say 3 or 5 seconds, that way the camera gets a chance to settle down before it takes a shot.
Because I think your trailing may be just camera shake.

It's very addictive isn't it. Congrats on your first shots.

[batema (Mark)]

Congratulations Nathan and commiserations to your bank account. It is a thrill to look at your first astro images coming in from the camera so my suggestions are work on the polar alignment and as JJJ said try to avoid camera shake. I bought a timer from ebay that allows me to multiple shots at different exposure times. Set and walk away. You can see them here http://shop.ebay.com.au/items/_W0QQ_...sid=m270.l1313
Also when you have alignment better you can try for longer exposure but will definately need a guiding system for long exposures. But that can be down the track.
Mark

[A23649 (Nathan)]

to minimise camera shake i had a remote release timer attached to the camera. it was a bit windy last night so i think it was that and the polar alignment. thank you for the nice comments jjj and batema.

[Ric]

Congrats on your first images Nathan.

I would suggest to concentrate on your polar alignment and your images will really start to jump in leaps and bounds.

Also make lots of notes about each image that way you will be able to refine your techniques as you go along and make your imaging journey more enjoyable.

Cheers

[bartman (Bart)]

Hi Nathan,
Dito to all of the above.
I have gone down the same path....no polar alignment and just snapped away. The results weren't all that that good. After a bit of drift aligning I got a few better shots! ........then the processing came in to play!!!!!!
grrrr.....I reckon processing is the hardest!
Cheers
Bartman

[RobF (Rob)]

Save those Nathan - you'll look back on the pics that got you addicted for sure. You need razor sharp focus - if you don't have a focusing mask, point your newt at a nice bright star, then use Liveview on the camera zoomed in as much as possible and play with the focus until the diffraction spikes are visible - then lock it down and check it.

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a good start Nathan. You've got the DSOs nicely framed. First thing is to get your focus right as Rob pointed out. That's the most important thing for now. Use a focusing aid like a bathinov if needed then take it from there. Baby steps. Looking forward to more.

[leon]

Yep agreed, It only gets better from here in, you are now possessed, and there is no escape, enjoy, nice first attempt, needs a bit of work, but what the heck well done indeed.

Leon

[irwjager (Ivo)]

And the bug takes another victim!
I immediately recognized Omega. It's always a thrill actually capturing what you 'thought you saw', especially if you're new and never really imaged those celestial critters before. And the good news is; there's heaps more lurking out there!

[Ross G]

Congratulations on your first shots Nathan and good luck.


Ross.

[renormalised (Carl)]

R.I.P. wallet

R.I.P. bank account

Welcome to astropiccies

[A23649 (Nathan)]

looking at the images again it looks like it is coma in the images as i remember the picture was in the lower corner