My first try at M42

[TrevorW]

ED80, Pentax K100d ISO800 25 X 45s images unguided stacked DSS flats and lights, processed in PS7, cropped and resized

Cheers

[Bassnut (Fred)]

mmmm

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Detail looks good for the exposure time and nice composition too.
But, something is sucking the colour out of the image Trevor.
I've found DSS to be guilty of this on some occasions. Wouldn't think the Pentax would do that, and colour out of the ED80 is excellent. The histogram looks clipped on inspection in PS, perhaps that's to blame too.
I'm sure you'll have lots of opportunities to nail M42 over the next few months.
Cheers and keep 'em coming
Doug

[RobF (Rob)]

Might need to spend a bit more time getting focus tighter too Trevor.

There'll be no going back now you've photography fever.....

[TrevorW]

another go at processing for colour

[leon]

Its a good effort Trevor, it may need a little work, here and there, and tweak on the focus, other than that your on your way, well done.

And as Doug mentioned, keep em coming

Leon

[TrevorW]

Thanks for the comments one of the biggest issues I have is detemining whether things are in focus because of poor eyesight and the crappy image you get through an SLR viewfinder. I have to take several images just to determine whether a star is in focus and this is not perfect. Unfortunately with the Pentax you don't have the ability to control and focus via a laptop.

Cheers

[Kirkus (Kirk)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Thanks for the comments one of the biggest issues I have is detemining whether things are in focus because of poor eyesight and the crappy image you get through an SLR viewfinder. I have to take several images just to determine whether a star is in focus and this is not perfect. Unfortunately with the Pentax you don't have the ability to control and focus via a laptop.

Cheers

Focus is a key. One I'm still working on. But I've found the use of a Hartmann Mask was a big step in the right direction. I'll often take 15 or 20 exposures of a bright star close to my subject with the mask on, adjusting the focus a little bit each time until I'm satisfied that I can't get it any sharper. Depending on the brightness of the star, I'll shoot at between 15 and 30 seconds each exposure at ISO1600.

Then I slew to my subject and fire away. (Then, after seeing the first exposure of my subject, I'll realize I forgot to take the mask off. ) I suppose it's not as easy as using software to analyze focus, but its helped me immensely. Even with poor eyesight, you should be able to enlarge the photo on your camera's screen and get a better idea of your focus.

There's an article her on IIS about the Harmann Mask:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-187-0-0-1-0.html

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Thanks for the comments one of the biggest issues I have is detemining whether things are in focus because of poor eyesight and the crappy image you get through an SLR viewfinder. I have to take several images just to determine whether a star is in focus and this is not perfect. Unfortunately with the Pentax you don't have the ability to control and focus via a laptop.

Cheers

Trevor I would like to congratulate you on a fine first effort.

Dont underestimate the effort one needs to go to for a decent focus.

You can try a hartman mask but I found to get dialed in I would take up to 40 shots to get the focus as best possible... that reflects my inexperience no doubt but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Again you should be delighted with your first results and you will find Orion a wonderful subject as each time you have a go at it hopefully it will be a little more perfect than the last.... and never blame the gear as it lets you off the hook in the demands you must make of yourself for a great result.

alex

[jase (Jason)]

Good stuff Trevor. We all start somewhere along this long and somewhat tedious journey. If you saw some of my first images, you'd laugh. If you're serious and dedicated, you'll advance. Heed the advice of others here - all very good feedback. Its good to pick bright targets like M42 to start with, however they typically have a large dynamic range in which you'll need to manage in processing. Keep at it.

[Garyh]

Good one Trev!
Yes great advice given! My eyes are rather crappy as well so I understand.
Usually takes me a good 15 min till I am happy with the focus by taking like 10 sec shots of a bright star near my subject! and maybe 20 test shots downloaded to the pc before I do a long exposure...
Hartmann mask shall help with achieving focus as well as putting some string or fishing line to make diffraction spikes on the front of your refractor with a temporary slip on rig?
Keep at it!
cheers Gary