m42 with 127MM + QHY8

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Really like the repro Allan - congratulations on the IOTW.

[hotspur (Chris)]

That's brilliant! well done,I think you have got this object just right,Your second version you posted in thread,IMO is not as good.

Lately we see images of these type of objects with more and more nebulosity.
I feel this detracts from the object.

Here you have done a great job,what focal length of scope?

You should get some posters or prints of this I am sue you could sell this image.

'Cheers Chris

[allan gould]

Originally Posted by iceman

Nice work Allan, the re-pro is great. Personally i'd like to see with a little more saturation (more bold pinks and blues) but a lovely image.
One of your best?

A nice early-season M42 and IOTW for this week!

Mike - Thanks for that. IOTW!!!!!! Never expected that. WoooHooo
Actually getting an image with so much detail is a real pain in the butt as you can process it so many ways its aways hard to know where to stop and each repro may not be to all tastes. Each is marginally different but sometime you just have to go too far and it looks like a psychodellic nightmare.

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Woooohoooohoooohey! Congrat's Allan!

Thanks Troy - but you've seen my bad ones too

Originally Posted by multiweb

Congrats on a well deserved IOTW.

Thanks Marc - nowhere near your widefield shots.

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Really like the repro Allan - congratulations on the IOTW.

Thanks Peter, but its only because you keep posting such great shots that I have to keep up.

[allan gould]

Originally Posted by hotspur

That's brilliant! well done,I think you have got this object just right,Your second version you posted in thread,IMO is not as good.

Lately we see images of these type of objects with more and more nebulosity.
I feel this detracts from the object.

Here you have done a great job,what focal length of scope?

You should get some posters or prints of this I am sue you could sell this image.

'Cheers Chris

Thanks Chris, glad you like one of them. The focal length was 950mm f7.5 but I would like a slightly wider field for this object. I might have to redo it with my 72mm scope with a FR and see what I get.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Nicely done, both images have their merits, the challenge these days seems to be to bring out the faintest possible details, ( in this case the faint nebulosity and dust ) whilst retaining the brightest parts of the image, such sthe trap section. You have achieved this, although I suspect a close inspection of the faintest areas would have introduced a less smooth finish, which is normal giving the stretching required. The next level is to get it uber smooth throughout..... Quite a challenge.

Well done with the image of the week, it's nice to get recognition for the hard work put in.

[davewaldo]

Two wonderful images, although I join the "I like the first one" camp. I prefer its subtleties. Its one of the best M42s I've seen!

Congrats on IOTW!

[Martin Pugh]

You have to be happy with that Allan.

well done
Martin

[Octane (Humayun)]

On ya, mate. Well done on IOTW. : D : D : D

I would like to try this with the STL/FSQ this weekend.

At 530mm focal length, I wonder if I should stick the 2x POWERMATE in for a more intimate view. Hrm, that'll be f/10, though. Dang, can't win!

H

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Very nice. A great reference for would be M42 imagers. So, I'll be referring back to it for some time to come

[Stu Ward]

I'm rubbish at reviews, so I only have one word to say


Orgasmic


So jealous

Stu

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

This image has a lot of promise Al and you have managed to reveal a fair bit of nebulous stuff between the main areas of nebulosity

It's a lovely image in general but a couple of things you might like to consider working on:

You have some clipping across the top, did you use flats? There is a bit of a gradient on the right, try massaging this away in PS. I can also see remnants of the blending work around the core too, it shows up as out of place dark hollows. How did you do the blending?

If you have a crack at these minor things it would be even better, still a nice piece of work

Mike

[ChrisM]

Allan, a stunning M42 image and very deserving of IOTW.

Chris

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Ooh I just saw this is now IOTW bah ... what would I know

Mike

[allan gould]

Clive, Dave, Martin,Chris,Stu and Humayun
Many thanks for the congrats on IOTW - unexpected surprise and thanks for the kind comments as they are much appreciated.

[allan gould]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

This image has a lot of promise Al and you have managed to reveal a fair bit of nebulous stuff between the main areas of nebulosity

It's a lovely image in general but a couple of things you might like to consider working on:

You have some clipping across the top, did you use flats? There is a bit of a gradient on the right, try massaging this away in PS. I can also see remnants of the blending work around the core too, it shows up as out of place dark hollows. How did you do the blending?

If you have a crack at these minor things it would be even better, still a nice piece of work

Mike

Mike
You nailed everything thats wrong with the picture.
The gradient that I found hard to remove was from the moon comming up for the last couple of frames as well as BrisVegas light pollution as Im only 5Km from the CBD and I thought I was cheaky to try for 15 min subs from where I am in the burbs.
Need a dark site desperately.
I used flats but changed how I did them and it may not be optimal for the setup. More experimentation needed there I agree.
Blending work around the core was a real amateur affair and I knew it when I did it, but I was more interested in getting the dust details between M43 and M42. Got so excited that I posted my first effort of processing.
You are right I have to go back and do this more carefully in the processing to do the data justice.
Might have to do a Sid - over and over again

Thanks for your comments - each was right on the money and I promise the next 12 repros will be better.
Allan

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Might have to do a Sid - over and over again

Err.. ya missed a few "and over" 's

and I promise the next 12 repros will be better.

12 huh?..that's more like it

[SMan (Henryk)]

Beautiful shot and congrats!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Supa Doopa Allan!
Congrats too on making IOTW.
Well deserved!

[batema (Mark)]

Beautiful image.Well done.

Mark

[allan gould]

Mark and JJJ
Thanks for the nice comments but I have to fix up the shot as Mike pointed out. All my hidden transgressions were seen by his evil eye.