M101 final

[Photosbykev]

After a lot of processing, watching on line tutorials, mainly this one and Harrys tutorials, and help from SGL members I finally got this image out of my data captured with a 7D and 600mm f4 prime lens.

The raw image files were calibrated and registered in PixInsight and then a lot of curves, levels, sharpening, unsharpening, blurring, noise reduction and lab work in PS

and a 1 : 1 crop of the core

The results from the blind astrometry solver are:

(RA, Dec) center:(210.73438073, 54.4218936256) degrees

(RA, Dec) center (H:M:S, D:M:S):(14:02:56.251, +54:25:18.817)

Orientation:88.31 deg E of N

Pixel scale:6.22 arcsec/pixel

Parity:Reverse ("Left-handed")

Field size :1.77 x 1.18 degrees

Your field contains:

NGC 5422, NGC 5457 / M 101, NGC 5473, NGC 5474, NGC 5477

considering my first attempt at processing was this

I'm happy even if I can see some banding going on lol

[space3]

huge difference, lovely image

[Gina]

Very nice indeed

[WaveSoarer]

Oh my word. That's really gorgeous.

[Mr Bergman]

Very nice indeed! I also happened to stumble over the same tutorial last week; it´s good.

[Tinker1947]

That's a very nice image, the learning curve is time well spent.....well done.

[StuartJPP]

Very nice Kev.

Shows what can be done without fancy scopes and CCD cameras

Just need a fancy SLR and a fancy lens instead

[Photosbykev]

Very nice Kev.

Shows what can be done without fancy scopes and CCD cameras

Just need a fancy SLR and a fancy lens instead

It would be cheaper to use a fancy scope and fancy CCD

[nightvision]

Very nice, the crop is impressive; so much detail.

[StuartJPP]

It would be cheaper to use a fancy scope and fancy CCD

True but you wouldn't be able to use your scope and CCD to take photos of birds and other wildlife. Though there are some people who "astroscope" birds and get some great results e.g. using a 7D + ED120 or ED80 (manual focus of course).

[sologuitarist61]

Great image!

[JamesF]

A lovely image

James

[inedible_hulk]

Wow!

[x6gas]

Very nice.

[Beardy Bob]

Wow! I'm going to check out that tutorial. Thanks for the link.

how much data have you got there?

[Photosbykev]

Wow! I'm going to check out that tutorial. Thanks for the link.

how much data have you got there?

about 2.5 hours. It could do with more to lower the noise level

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Blame Apple for the typos and me for the content

[Daniel-K]

its a great image you have there kev. i feel its a tad soft on the red channel though

[Zakalwe]

Very nice Kev.

Shows what can be done without fancy scopes and CCD cameras

Just need a fancy SLR and a fancy lens instead

Thats a £8000 fancy lens though...or £10,500 if it is stabilised :eek:

Nice image though!

[Photosbykev]

Thats a £8000 fancy lens though...or £10,500 if it is stabilised :eek:

Nice image though!

it is the stabilised version BUT I didn't realise they had gone upto over £10k, buying it new a few years ago was a good investment lol

[Zakalwe]

it is the stabilised version BUT I didn't realise they had gone upto over £10k, buying it new a few years ago was a good investment lol

I think that all lenses got a fairly big increase a few years back. Probably the continuing devaluation of the £ due to QE

http://www.wexphotog...m-lens/p1523948

Serious glass!

[Photosbykev]

I think that all lenses got a fairly big increase a few years back. Probably the continuing devaluation of the £ due to QE

http://www.wexphotog...m-lens/p1523948

Serious glass!

It's been updated to a MkII, powered focus for video work and a few other tweaks that don't appeal to me thankfully lol

[Gina]

WOW!!!

[Welrod50]

Superb image. I also think you're being hard on yourself - if I was able to capture anything like your first attempt I would be very pleased with myself. That second capture is brilliant though. Well done

[stellawolf]

Super image well done