Omega Centauri + Crux/Carina - my first!

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

My first DSLR widefield images taken with the camera mounted on my EQ6.

Taken on the 17th February, at our new moon meet at Kulnura.

1) Crux/Carina widefield

- Canon 350D + 50mm f/1.8 lens @ f/2.2, ISO800, 219s exposure
- Single shot, ICNR on
- Processed in RawShooterPremium (levels/curves/contrast) followed by DDP in Maxim DSLR.

2) Omega Centauri

- Canon 350D + stock 75-300mm lens @ 300mm, f/5.6, ISO800, 235s exposure
- Single shot, ICNR on
- Processed in RawShooterPremium (levels/curves/contrast) followed by DDP in Maxim DSLR.

I have others too, but need to work out how to process deepsky images first - including stacking as I have multiple shots of these areas (and others), but just wanted to post the single shots and then work out proper processing later

I'm happy with how these single shots turned out! I did some drift aligning earlier in the night through my 12" scope, so these, at a much shorter focal length, appear to be tracked very well.

There's some coma in the corners, and purple around the bright stars, but there's no trailing even for a 4 minute exposure (@ 300mm!)!

Thanks for looking.

[RB (Andrew)]

Yay, about time Mike, I've been waiting for these.
Well done, they've turned out very nicely indeed, especially Omega Cent.

[Ric]

Lovely images Mike, Omega Centauri has turned out very crisp and clear.

Cheers

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys, i'm really happy with the OC shot. Hopefully it will improve once I work out stacking and processing of deepsky shots.

Here's one from earlier in the night:

a wider field Crux/Carina (and a hint of LMC)

- Canon 350D + 17-70mm Sigma lens @ 17mm, f/3.2, ISO800
- 3 images stacked in photoshop (60s, 100s, 120s)
- GradientXTerminator and Noise Reduction
- Levels
That's about it. I'm sure the experts in this area would be able to get more out of my shots It was a difficult area of sky to image as it was pointing towards Sydney, fairly low on the horizon so there's a lot of gradients and sky glow.

[Garyh]

Well done Mike,I love these widefield shots, omega cent is very sharp!!! great for single exposures!!
Very nice 17mm widefield too!!! a little wider and you would have got Mcnaught as well.
Just got myself one of those 17-70 sigma lenses, can`t wait for a dark night to try it out!!
Cheers Gary

[h0ughy (David)]

mike , next investment is a coma corrector! Nice images too

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Good Grief!!!!!

Mike has ventured outside the Solar System with his camera!!! I hope the camera isn't in shock

Very good Omega shot and wider widefield

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by gary

Just got myself one of those 17-70 sigma lenses, can`t wait for a dark night to try it out!!

Thanks Gary. You'll love the 17-70, it's great for terrestrial too.

Originally Posted by h0ughy

mike , next investment is a coma corrector! Nice images too

These aren't through the scope - an MPCC won't help. A $3000 lens will help

Originally Posted by ken

Mike has ventured outside the Solar System with his camera!!! I hope the camera isn't in shock

The camera's fine, but I feel like a newbie again. I have no idea how to process deepsky images. All I do is adjust levels and curves. I'm sure there's some magic somewhere i'm missing out on.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Good Grief!!!!!

Mike has ventured outside the Solar System with his camera!!! I hope the camera isn't in shock

Very good Omega shot and wider widefield

now now Ken....

[sheeny (Al)]

Well done Mike! Glad the drift aligning is coming along!

Al.

[avandonk]

Welcome to the imaging world of gradients, light pollution, overexposed stars, washed out nebulae, satellites, aircraft lights, young men and their 10KW headlights parked at 3AM just up the road ....

You can only find out by doing!

Very nice start. Trouble is you will never be happy with the result as it is plagued by too many variables.


Bert

[Striker (Tony)]

Nice start Mike,
I like the Omega shot

Wont be long until the DMK is up for sale...lol

[John K]

Great work Mike, nice images.

Are you thinking of shooting prime focus soon?

[atalas]

Congrats Mike and a great start ! your on your way to many sleepless nights now dude .

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

great first shot there mike esp omega. join the dark side

[ving (David)]

not kyour first widefields i believe mike
nice job tho, they look good

you going to the darkside?

[davidpretorius]

welcome iceman to the forum, you seem to have a long way to go with dso........i suggest you start with the much easier field of planetary

these are very nice mike!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by iceman

The camera's fine, but I feel like a newbie again. I have no idea how to process deepsky images. All I do is adjust levels and curves. I'm sure there's some magic somewhere i'm missing out on.

That's OK Mike, I don't know how to process planetary images.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Fantastic start Mike, I like the natural look of OC and crux widefields, could turn out to be an expensive change of direction....

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Fantastic start Mike, I like the natural look of OC and crux widefields, could turn out to be an expensive change of direction....

Acro could be right there, watch out!

Deep sky is fun, you will enjoy it, great start

Mike