Ok, so here it is, after being very impressed with the images that people on here take, i thought i would start down that long road of imaging.
This was taken with a Canon 1000D piggybacked on an Orion ED80, on a HEQ5 Pro mount, the alignment could be better, but i am used to having a really bright star to aim at, although a kind friend an IIS member should me techniques invloving a compass, inclinometre, and various other things.
I know nothing of taking pictures, and i mean nothing. This was taken with "the big lens" of the package, and had an ISO of 800, and an exposure of 60 seconds.
Critique is welcomed, and yes, i know alignment could be better
TBH guys i am kinda flying blind, and wondering if i have bitten of more than i can chew ...
Seems that nothing likes CR2 files, although i would rather capture them as raw images than anything else. This image was one exposure, single shot, 60 seconds.
Deep Sky Stacker reads CR2 files fine. Don't worry, you are doing fine. I am only a week or so ahead of you. This is where it is all fun..... before you start getting all critical and everything. I have blown through an ink cartridge in 2 weeks printing out pictures that I have taken, it is just such a good feeling to be making pictures, rather than just admiring everyone elses.
If you want to just get some more pics under your belt, start wider at say around 50mm and then alignment is not as critcial.
Darks and flats are you next step, as the kit lenses have a reasonable amount of vignetting. Which lense kit did you get?
As to .cr2, why not use DPP to convert from the Canon RAW format to either jpeg or tiff? Raw will allow you some PP in DPP etc. You should have DPP on the installation CD that came with the 1000D. If not, PM me and I'll provide you with a copy. Be aware that my copy is 2 or so years old, but downloading a upgrade exe from Canon's website will fix that.
Other RAW convertors that I'd recommend are RAW Therapee, or Photoshop/Photoshop Elements RAW tools if you have Photoshop.
Yes, you still get DPP (Canon Digital Photo Professional) with the camera, but if you are stacking, to convert each of your photos manually will be really tedious.
+1 for what Trevor says - its nice looking at everyone else's pretty pics, but there's nothing like loading up your own on the PC after a night session with fingers crossed you actually got something worthwhile....
Yes, you still get DPP (Canon Digital Photo Professional) with the camera, but if you are stacking, to convert each of your photos manually will be really tedious.
I shoot RAW exclusively, have for years. I tend to convert to 16 bit tiff after some minor sharpening in the RAW application, adjusting WB and/or exposure if needed for terrestial style shots. If I'm not using DPP, then I'm using Capture One Pro, depends on the shot.
I've had a crack at DSS, and it seems to work OK if the base images are good. It's relatively intuitive to use too.
Dave
PS for stacking non astro stuff, like macro shots (another hobby of mine), I recommend CombineZ. It's free and very good imho.
Good start Duncan - as others have said, work on trying to get the best polar alignment if you're not autoguiding yet. Lots of decent drift alignment tutorials kicking about. Don't get discouraged though, as it can all be a bit overwhelming at first - lots of information to process which seems confusing when sitting looking down an EP in the dark and cold!!! Practice makes perfect though.
As jjj said don't worry too much about using RAWs straight away (creates a lot of unnecessary work for the beginner) - use jpegs to start. They'll be less processor intensive for stacking etc to begin with too.
Nice one - 1000D was a good choice too.
Onwards and upwards gadgy!
Doug
your first image will be a memorable one, its the one that will set the standard for a while.
i can recognise ETA and the keyhole, its a long learning path.... which you never get to the end of i might add. Enjoy the journey grashopper.
