The More the Messier-imaging adventures with an ETX70

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

For those who are interested in bottom end -low budget astro imaging possibilities, here is what is possible with an ETX 70 and an Orion Starshoot

I received my replacement Orion Star Shoot last Friday (had a problem but it was replaced under warranty) but was unable to test it till Sunday night and didnt get around to processing till last night

here are 5 Messier objects imaged with the ETX 70 (polar aligned)and the star shoot. Each image is a stack of around 15 thirty second images. (I shot 30 frames and discarded approximately 50%)

I used the standard IR filter that came with the Orion Star Shoot and a Minus Violet Filter..otherwise it is an out-of -the -box ETX 70

Stacking in Maxim DL.Processing in Photoshop

I hope you like these images..its always interesting to see how far one can get with a little ETX 70

[Dennis]

Nothing bottom end about these - a great portfolio of images.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman (Mike)]

They're excellent Narayan! My favourites are the Lagoon followed by the Swan.

Very nicely done for low-cost gear!

[RB (Andrew)]

I agree, nothing bottom end about them Narayan.
They're great images.

Excellent work !!!

[matt]

Well done.

I love seeing this sort of stuff. People getting great results out of modest gear.

Excellent

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

beautiful shots seeker! and with just the ETX70 A+ work. more more moreee can't let the DSLR guys have all the fun

[tornado33]

Yes nice shots. Try the nebula shots without the IR filter, I wonder if the IR filter is like the DSLR ones in that it blocks some of the Hydrogen Alpha emission, I know it improves shots taken with the DSI, perhaps the Orion camera is similar.
Scott

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by tornado33

Yes nice shots. Try the nebula shots without the IR filter, I wonder if the IR filter is like the DSLR ones in that it blocks some of the Hydrogen Alpha emission, I know it improves shots taken with the DSI, perhaps the Orion camera is similar.
Scott

I did try early on without an IR filter but found that the colour balance was completely trown out of whack and while it could be fixed in PS, I was in effect winding up false colouring..will try again anyway and see what happens

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

Originally Posted by seeker372011

I did try early on without an IR filter but found that the colour balance was completely trown out of whack and while it could be fixed in PS, I was in effect winding up false colouring..will try again anyway and see what happens

thats weird. my dsi is completely opposite. the IR filter has to be taken out for proper colours.