Stridor

For anyone who may be interested in getting their Canon DSLR Astro modded, I have just had mine done very quickly and efficiently by Juan Fierros at http://cheapastrophotography.vpweb.co.uk/Available-Cameras.html. £75 for the conversion and received back 5 days after posting. 

4 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

A good start

Your stars are round but hard to judge focus with short data as no tiny stars. Might be worth getting/making a bhatinov focussing mask as a precaution.

I found my M31 kept getting better with more subs, right up to three hours, but if you can get an intervalometer (cheap as chips) and work up to half an hour or more you will see big improvements.

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated; I will have a go at your recommendations. I have actually, since taking this shot bought a Bhatinov mask. 

As a visual observer only (up until now perhaps!) this is my first ever attempt at trying to get an image; never done any kind of  imaging before. This attempt at M31 using 102mm Frac + Nikon D80 with IR fiter removed; no guiding; 8 x 30sec lights + 4 darks using DSS. 

I know it`s not a great image, but something to build on in the future.  Tips or advice very welcome.

A great read; and after reading it I am definitely going to slow down a bit and absorb more of what I am seeing...thank you 

A great read...thanks for posting; informative and useful.  

Some great tips and advice there Nick, some of which I do, and some which I ought to do!

Sold a Mountain bike.....bought a Delos 8mm................Wow, what a lovely eyepiece; lots of glass!

What a great site; thank you FLO.............it will get a lot of use  

I think I have gone as far as I dare go with my Eye pieces; not a great number, but if my wife new what they cost then I think I may as well go and live on the Moon!!

It looks really good, I'm quite tempted.

I use a pair of `Swift Audobon` 8 x 44 roof prism; nice and light weight + great for bird watching as well.

In my short time using the Forum it has been very useful and very helpful; members are very good at giving one useful advice where requested and other handy tips which may not have otherwise been considered........ Altogether a friendly, welcoming and useful site: glad I have become a part of it :-)