I extracted the digit finally this afternoon and quickly processed the images I captured last Saturday night at Astroron's place. I hadn't expected to get anything really worthwhile that night as I was Christening the G11 and was basically giving it an autoguiding shakedown. Consequently I only captured in jpeg mode and didn't take any darks. I'm kicking myself now for not doing it properly. The mount tracked like a dream.
All processing is simply levels and curves.
All shots, bar one were taken through my Orion 80ED. The first two, M31 (single image) and the Tarantula are both unguided at ISO800 for 3 minutes. Andromeda is uncropped and unadjusted, while the Tarantula is a stack of nine image stacked and adjusted in PS. Not flash but I'm wrapped in the time I can go for without guiding.
The next is NGC253 stack of 14, ISO800 for 5min, autoguided with a ToUcam, K3CCDTools V2 and 8" SCT. Stacked and processed in PS
The next is Eta Carina, same as NGC253.
And the last is EC through my meade with the 6.3 FR at ISO800 for 5 min, autoguided as above.
And the last one is a single shot from the first round of ECs but I've put it in so a comparison can be made with Strikers EC from the other night. We were using identical scopes and ISOs and capture times I think. The only big difference were the cameras. My 300D up against his 20Da. For those you you who have forgotten here it is again http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...achmentid=6887
I don't know what processing he was using but the image looks very close to what came off his camera raw as I remember it.
Any way my images. Apart from the unprocessed M31 and EC all other shots have been cropped to one degree or another
Thanks guys. Yep I have high hopes for this mounts I though I'd put this unprocessed Tarantula in to give some idea of original image size as the posted one was cropped pretty heavily
Thanks Ken, but I'm kicking myself for not taking any darks. They look pretty "dirty" to me. But I'm looking forward to my next night out at Ron's. I'll focus on only one or two objects for the night and do it properly.
Btw I didn't mention all focusing done with DSLR Focus. I'd be lost without it.
But man you should see Tony focus using the 20Da. Simplicity itself focusing on the lcd screen with the 10X zoom. Where I can take 10 min or more getting my focus just right, he does his in about 10 sec. It's awesome to watch and to see the images coming out looking fantastic in their raw state
Imaging anything is a nightmare, too many variables, but when it works it is so satisfying. To capture a fleeting moment or an apparent eternity is something we do because it is there and we still wonder!
You're right there bert. To say I was chuffed when I saw what was downloading out of the camera onto my computer screen is an understatement. Considering I wasn't really focusing on capturing, just working out the idiosyncracies of the new mount I, I was pretty amazed at the tracking, especially the unguided. I did take particular care with my drift alignment, but the apparently small PE was a very pleasant surprise. Don't know how long I'd be able to go prime through the 8" though unguided.
lovely images, i like m31 as it shows the core like when i saw it at ballarat!. my lcd laptop screen then shows tantalising outer detail if i move my head around.
Paul they are fantastic shots especially and when you say the two are unguided for 3 mins, thats terrific.
Can't wait for you to get a full-on session with dark frames etc.
Well done and congrats on the mount, it sounds like a beauty.
My 20Da arrived too and I'm looking forward to giving it a shot (pardon the pun) this evening.
Thanks Andrew. From what little I've seen of it I think you will be very happy. I'm just waiting for Striker to put his up in the "Buy, Sell and Trade" Forum. I think I'll get someone to design me a bot to watch that space so I can be first in line.