Pulled an all nighter on Saturday. Have quite a few shots taken as it was such a great night. Stacked 8x5 min shots (taken with Eric Styles modded Canon 20D) using DSS. Processed in PS for levels and curves. M42 was a b^gger to process with all the different levels of intensity, but I wanted to show the extent of the nebulosity without all the red colour bleeding through. I processed the horsehead with only levels and curves in PS. Scope was 127mm APO - the moonlight focuser was a dream to use. I was pleased with the flatness of the field and sharpness across the plane.
Have not exposed it to photons at the moment. I'm waiting until I learn Nebulosity as well as some of the characteristics of the QHY8 before I give it a go. The first photo will probably be a H alpha shot due to the light pollution where I am. I didn't want to try a new camera in the field and spoil a great night with new equipment frustrations. Have to take things in baby steps for me.
You have done a mighty fine job on both images Allan, very nice!
Hope Matt is looking at these, you have demonstrated quite a nice natural reveal of the inner trap region.
I think the size you posted is too big to appreciate the image though and it shows all the imperfections and jpeg compression way too much, this image would look much better at a smaller size and with less jpeg compression.
Beautiful inspiring images! What ISO settings did you use and what about the darks, flats etc?
The settings on the modded 20D were ISO800 with 6x300 sec lights and darks for the longest shots, then 10x5 sec, 10 x 20 sec and 10 x 60 sec (no darks for all of the latter shots). Used DSS to combine each set (median combine with hot and cold pixel removal) to give a master tiff at each exposure and then used masking in PS to add each element without over-exposing the core. Finally built up and image that wasn't over-exposed and did levels and curves in PS. No unsharp masking etc etc in PS as I wanted the tones to be as "natural" to what the eye sees as possible.
Learning PS is climbing a mountain in itself and I havent even got to the first base camp yet
Thanks for all your nice comments guys as its much appreciated when you start out learning to use various bits of equipment and software. Expensive aint it - no body told me and thats why I havn't told the wife.
Allan
You have done a mighty fine job on both images Allan, very nice!
Hope Matt is looking at these, you have demonstrated quite a nice natural reveal of the inner trap region.
I think the size you posted is too big to appreciate the image though and it shows all the imperfections and jpeg compression way too much, this image would look much better at a smaller size and with less jpeg compression.
Great job mate
Mike
Thanks for the kind words Mike - from you its a real compliment.
Really stunning images Allan ... well worth the loss of a few hours sleep thats for sure ... 3.30am eh ... sounds like an alarm set as long as the weather is going to be compliant.
and it shows all the imperfections and jpeg compression way too much, this image would look much better at a smaller size and with less jpeg compression.
