M8 and M20 Processing Comparison

[leon]

Hi Guys,

Last nights conditions were pretty ordinary, seeing at about 6, with heavy dew and some fog lingering, with clouds rolling in at about midnight, so these two are not really that good, but have a look anyway. hopefully tonight will be better.

I was waiting for an object to rise a bit more, so whilst this was happening I pointed the scope at M20 and M8 at the same time, to fill in some time.

I decided to process the image in Image Plus, and the then DeepSky Stacker just for comparison, you will notice the difference.

Due to plenty of light pollution in the direction of these two I keep the exposures short, and only ended up with 12 all up, @ 2 minutes 30 seconds each, at 400 ISO through the Tak and Canon 5D.

The first is processed in Image Plus, and the second in DeepSky Stacker, and each were given the exact same levels, brightness, etc, etc.

These two are un-cropped wide fields,

Leon

[jase (Jason)]

Not sure of this comparison Leon. If these were processed identically, then the result/output would be the same regardless of the image processing program used. It would appear that imageplus is manipulating the mid-tones somewhat differently to deepsky stacker, but this could simply be a configuration setting or input value calculation. Still a nice image.

[gbeal]

I like em both, mainly cos I can't work out which is better.
Great shot(s) Leon.
Gary

[leon]

Not sure of this comparison Leon. If these were processed identically, then the result/output would be the same regardless of the image processing program used. It would appear that imageplus is manipulating the mid-tones somewhat differently to deepsky stacker, but this could simply be a configuration setting or input value calculation. Still a nice image.

Hmmm, Jase, I probably wrote this a bit wrong, What I probably should have said that the first one was calibrated, aligned and stacked in Image Plus, the second In Deep Sky Stacker.

Both produced a combined image, which had the same post processing applied in Image Plus and PS2.

Probably what I was trying to point out was, that Image plus seems to produce a much redder effect, opposed to DeepSky Stacker.

Thanks for your comments.

Leon

[AlexN]

I think I like the 2nd one better, only for the better contrast and deeper color in the lagoon...

Both are nice images though

[leon]

Thanks Alex, to be truthful, the conditions were pretty bad, so I'm sure I can improve on this, however your comments are very much appreciated.

Leon