My first Triplet.

[Nico13 (Ken)]

While using my Pentax K5 I have been unable to stack images as DSS does not recognise the latest Pentax raw files so this is a single frame image.

Now having said that I was hunting around for info on stacking with pentax files when spot the obvious all I had to do was switch to DNG and I'm away and laughing .
So hopefully at the SVAA this weekend I'll get some images I can stack at last.

Ken.

Triplet and M65/66. OK for single frames I think. Lots vignetting though.
Just things to work through as I go I guess.

Both 250 seconds 800 ISO 8" Meade sct with focal reducer flattner.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Hope the weather is fine to get it finished Ken.

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Originally Posted by rcheshire

Hope the weather is fine to get it finished Ken.

Thanks Rowland, I don't know that I'll be continuing with that setup due the vignetting.
Really I'm still experimenting with equipment and setup just to see what I can do with the gear I have. I have just bought a new SW ED80 From Bintel and spent last night setting up the mount and aligning it with the 8" SCT so it's going to be a big trial weekend to see how it all goes.

Steadily making improvements with hardware and software, it's what it's all about I guess, the enjoyment of testing yourself and your gear to get the best out of it.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

That's about right Ken. This time it's a modified Carey/Lord focus mask design. I hope it works as expected. Live focus just doesn't do it. I have found an Android app that will assist with polar alignment. Interesting to see the results of all this experimenting.

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Originally Posted by rcheshire

That's about right Ken. This time it's a modified Carey/Lord focus mask design. I hope it works as expected. Live focus just doesn't do it. I have found an Android app that will assist with polar alignment. Interesting to see the results of all this experimenting.

Yes it's all getting more interesting as I go along but I'm afraid you've got me on the "modified Carey/Lord focus mask design", not too sure what that is, can you elaborate a bit, lots of new stuff to get a handle on here.

[Helo (Peter)]

Those are excellent, especially for single frames. I would be very happy with that and can't wait to see if you manage to get them stacked (I would think there is a Pentax file converter out there somewhere as their unique RAW format would be a problem for others also). Keep them coming

[mill (Martin)]

Looking very good for single images

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hey Ken,

They are really excellent for single subs, the details visible in the galaxies are great, even on the iPhone screen (how I am viewing them). Keep at it, you have piqued my interest as to how my setup would perform on this grouping, I hope you can grab some more to add to these, as it is an excellent start!!!

Well done and thanks for posting😃

Cheers

Chris

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Thanks for the positive feed back guys this is a great experience to do this after being a star gazer for more than thirty five years to get some images like these was an awesome feeling and I guess there are quite a few here that can remember the first time they did something similar.
Looking forward to lots more.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Ken. If the mask works, happy to share. The ED80 is a step awayfrom your other gear, which has done a good job over a single frame. I was eyeing off your setup at the last meeting and its got me wondering.... Which is usually expensive or dangerous.

[MGTechDVP (Mariusz)]

AWESOME!!!... I wanted to give the triplet a go tonight after a feeble Mars imaging session... but clouds rolled in by midnight.

Well Done.

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Originally Posted by rcheshire

Ken. If the mask works, happy to share. The ED80 is a step awayfrom your other gear, which has done a good job over a single frame. I was eyeing off your setup at the last meeting and its got me wondering.... Which is usually expensive or dangerous.

Tell me about "expensive or dangerous" I keep coming up with words like impulsive, obsessive, compulsive, yep they all sound expensive to me as well.

[stardust steve (Steve)]

i want to be able to take an image like this now! i know, one step at a time. Very good set, nice hat trick

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Tell me about "expensive or dangerous" I keep coming up with words like impulsive, obsessive, compulsive, yep they all sound expensive to me as well

Yep. Happy to add those three too... very expensive...