First frame of H-Alpha with DSLR - M8 Lagoon

[LucasB (Lucas)]

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a 6nm Ha Filter for the DSLR from a fellow IIS member (thanks Troy!) and took it out for its first run last Friday night. It is only a single 10 minute frame with no darks, bias or flats but I was very happy with the result. I have read a lot about "only 1/4 of the pixels are red in the bayer matrix" type discussions so I was pleased with the response with the modded camera. I was recently asked by another IIS regarding whether to mod or not but hadn't tried the Ha filter at the time. I would now say it is a definite YES - go for it if you plan to do some Ha work. Overall I am super impressed with the filter. I have only applied one level adjustment , one very slight noise reduction (faded to 40%) and a very light USM to the image.

Here is the link (details below the image) :

http://www.pbase.com/astroaussie/ima...44710/original

I am investing in an OAG set-up so I can improve some star shapes by removing the flexure. I currently use a 50mm finderguider in the finder saddle!

Comments and critique always welcome!
Lucas

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Hi Lucas,

That's very impressive!!
Damn your giving me idea's, this could be bad for my hip pocket.

Cheers,

Justin.

[RickS (Rick)]

That worked very well, Lucas! Better than I would have expected from a Bayer matrix.

Cheers,
Rick.

[alpal]

Originally Posted by RickS

That worked very well, Lucas! Better than I would have expected from a Bayer matrix.

Cheers,
Rick.

I agree - I'm quite surprised.
It's a nice sharp photo with pinpoint stars.

[DJT (David)]

Hi Lucas
Great image.I spent a while comparing to an rgb and am seriously impressed with the level of detail you are getting . I got the rest of Troys filters and am currently cooking up some Ha so having seen yours, very keen to see results.

LP? Paah..

[LucasB (Lucas)]

Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne

Hi Lucas,
That's very impressive!!
Damn your giving me idea's, this could be bad for my hip pocket.
Cheers,
Justin.

Thanks Justin. Like everything in this hobby, ideas are expensive but usually very rewarding!

Originally Posted by RickS

That worked very well, Lucas! Better than I would have expected from a Bayer matrix.
Cheers,
Rick.

Originally Posted by alpal

I agree - I'm quite surprised.
It's a nice sharp photo with pinpoint stars.

Thanks Rick and alpal. I agree with you both which is why I posted the initial test frame. I think that the DSLR can be used with very satisfying results for Ha work when it has been modded.

Originally Posted by DJT

Hi Lucas
Great image.I spent a while comparing to an rgb and am seriously impressed with the level of detail you are getting . I got the rest of Troys filters and am currently cooking up some Ha so having seen yours, very keen to see results.
LP? Paah..

Thanks David. The comparison with rgb really shows the sharpness and detail you can get with this filter. I think you have bought well. After my initial image I am now eyeing off an OIII for my collection. Loving the narrow band on the DSLR so far. I can see the Melbourne city skyline from my house and have an industrial carpark about 3km behind my back fence and as you know the moon was present and not far from full. LP is not an issue with this filter. Yeah!

[DavidTrap (David)]

Very impressed with your results from a DSLR.

I just reprocessed some CCD Ha data of M8, and yours compares favorably!

DT

[LucasB (Lucas)]

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Very impressed with your results from a DSLR.
I just reprocessed some CCD Ha data of M8, and yours compares favorably!
DT

Thanks David. I am looking forward to capturing, calibrating and stacking a number of images to see what can be acheived.

[RobF (Rob)]

Great work for sure Lucas. I suspect any detail you lost through the Bayer matrix has more than been made up for with the quality of the image your OTA is giving.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Wow that's quite impressive!

Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne

Hi Lucas,
Damn your giving me idea's, this could be bad for my hip pocket.

+1

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Excellent result! Really glad you're happy with it. Looking forward to seeing more from you and David (DJT)

[alexandre (Alexandre)]

hello Lucas
I find this test more than conclusive, it starts very well!
I see a complete picture!

was soon
@lex

[multiweb (Marc)]

Amazing resolution and dynamic range in the core. Very detailed.

[LucasB (Lucas)]

Originally Posted by RobF

Great work for sure Lucas. I suspect any detail you lost through the Bayer matrix has more than been made up for with the quality of the image your OTA is giving.

Thanks Rob. The APM refractor is a real beauty and it is definitely a keeper!

Originally Posted by swannies1983

Wow that's quite impressive!

Thanks Dan. I hear an Ha filter calling your name...

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Excellent result! Really glad you're happy with it. Looking forward to seeing more from you and David (DJT)

Thanks Troy. The filter is a cracker and has performed beyond my expectations with my set up. More to come when we get some good weather.

Originally Posted by alexandre

hello Lucas
I find this test more than conclusive, it starts very well!
I see a complete picture!
was soon
@lex

Thanks Alex. Hopefully some good weather conditions soon!

Originally Posted by multiweb

Amazing resolution and dynamic range in the core. Very detailed.

Thanks Marc. The core was a real eye opener when I first saw the image. It is certainly a huge jump in resolution from my rgb images of this region!