Lee_P

Thanks for sharing, this is a new one to me! Both images are great, I think the first one gets my vote though.

"Uber saturated" for me - I want to make something I like the look of, first and foremost. For me, scientific accuracy is important, but secondary.

I think it's a bit more than just that, but I'm not totally sure. https://ghsastro.co.uk/ FITS version attached 😁 M13 integrated FITS.fit

Maybe your pigeons can handle Google Drive? No worries if not! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FIaH7Tx1p5OekLac4fne8W4PzUQetux6?usp=sharing

Thanks for the comment Olly, maybe I did over-stretch the core a tad. Attached is the integrated file, if you've time to have a crack at it yourself! By the way, GHS isn't a ready-made stretch, you've got full control over it. It's worth a look! M13 integrated.xisf

Still waiting for Summer nebulae to rise, so I put a few weeks into this image of M13. More info on my website, and imaging details below the picture. Big thanks to @mike1485 and @Gunshy for making the excellent Generalised Hyperbolic Stretch (GHS) plug-in for PixInsight, which I used for this image. * March to April 2022 * Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 ) * Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph * Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO * Filter: none * Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G * Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini * Control: ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF * Software: PixInsight, Lightroom * 480 x 120 seconds Total integration time: 16 hours By Lee Pullen

There's logic in what you say, but I'd recommend contacting your local astro society and seeing if you can actually handle an HEQ5 and EQ6. That'll really convey the difference, and then you can decide which is best for you.

The EQ6 is a brilliant mount, but very heavy, which will cause issues if you're designing a portable set-up. FWIW I think you were on the right track with the HEQ5, which is a good match for an 80ED.

I agree with Olly that you may find a dedicated astrocamera with a method of control (such as an ASIAIR) easier to use (and better) than a DSLR. But as Jim says, if you already own a DSLR then it may make sense to start with that. I also agree with Olly about imaging from home being a lot easier than travelling. You'll get loads more imaging time, which can make up for your light-polluted skies. (Trees and houses blocking your sky would still be an issue though!) An OSC camera plus dual-band filter is relatively simple and can be effective from a city. There's some content on my website that you may find useful (I image from my city centre back garden), and you may find this article interesting. I think you're on the right track with a wide-field refractor, they're robust and good fun. -Lee

Thanks all! I find the shot a bit underwhelming, but perhaps interesting and useful as an example of what this target looks like with a small refractor. It's got me lusting after a bigger 'scope though 😝

Given that I use a wide-field refractor, galaxy season doesn't exactly fill me with joy, but I managed to bag the Whirlpool Galaxy during the clear skies we recently enjoyed in south-west UK. More info on my website, and imaging details are below the image. * March 2022 * Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 ) * Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph * Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO * Filter: none * Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G * Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini * Control: ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF * Software: PixInsight, Lightroom, Topaz DeNoise AI * 1200 x 120 seconds Total integration time: 40 hours By Lee Pullen

Great image!

This is great, good job!

Just on the topic of ink tanks vs cartridges, I was recently in the market for a new photo printer, and opted for a cartridge model over ink tanks. The ink in cartridges or tanks will be at its best for approx. a year after it's opened (at least that's what the knowledgeable chap at Wex said). I estimated how much ink I'd use in a year, and it came out as about cartridge level; nowhere near ink tank level. So, if you're going to be producing loads of prints, as Olly is, then ink tanks are great. If not, then cartridges may still be a better option.

That's some serious kit, and already a great result!

Cygnus Astro Covers are very good. I've reviewed them here: https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/10/11/review-cygnus-astro-cover/

When I need to post images directly onto sites like Facebook, I output them as longest size 2048px, and 72dpi. Seems to work ok 🤞

Just highlighting Olly's comment here, because I totally agree and think it's important to note.

I've written about this on my website, you might find it useful: https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/06/12/osc-vs-mono-from-a-city/

Great, can't wait to try this out. Many thanks!

Thanks! How are you getting on with your Askar FRA400?

Great pic, and I particularly like the framing.

Hi all, here's a new astrophoto to add to my collection of OSC images taken from Bristol City Centre. No filters used for this one. Imaging details below, and more info on my website here: https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2022/02/19/the-double-cluster/ * February 2022 * Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 ) * Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph * Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO * Filter: none * Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G * Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini * Control: ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF * Software: PixInsight, Lightroom, Topaz DeNoise AI * 450 x 120 seconds Total integration time: 15 hours

Welcome to SGL!

Hello and welcome! We're not that far away, I'm in Bristol.