Nigel G

Yes it is, recommended max weight is 5kg so be careful, I set the mount and align with my 150 scope find my target and swap scopes to the 200p, I wouldn't like to slew high speed with the 8" F6. I will only use the 200p on vary rare occasions for faint nebula or galaxy and has to be we'll balanced. Nige.

I also had to re focus last night, not sure what caused it, luckily only about 10 frames were lost before I noticed. I did however use flats with great result, much better images to work with. As my pc is only about 10 ft away from the scope, I pointed the scope at a white screen and shot away. I'm pleased with the result using flats but still room for improvement. First the Owl nebula and neighbouring galaxy 80 x 30s at 1600 iso, 50 dark, 20 flat, 50 bias. Scope 150p. Second, Black eye galaxy 90 x 30s plus the above. I am currently stacking the Ring nebula 54 frames. Nige.

Thanks for showing this image Mike, it gives me an idea what's there ☺, I guessed I would need at least an hours subs for this. Nige

This was taken Saturday 2 weeks ago with the 150p, getting as many subs as poss before it dipped behind neighbours roof. Not had the scopes out since then ? Cloudy weather and a bad cold have stopped all attempts. Which is the reason behind me playing with this image, to try and squeeze something from it. I sort of new there was not much hope as I was taking the shots, normally I would see some faint cloud in an image while taking the subs but with this I saw nothing, but I have been having fun with startools. Nige.

This is not what I expected, only got about 40 usable photos @ 20s , nowhere near enough for the intended target the flame nebula. 40 dark and 50 bias. I have over exposed this and lots of contrast to see what I could pull out, there's quite a bit of noise still but it's colourful ☺ I think at least an hours subs are needed. I'm not sure if there's any nebula in there or just over exposed noise. Nige.

Nice image good star shapes and contrast, I like this nebula, it looks so out of place. I'm looking forward to imaging this one, early hours of the morning as neighbours roof in the way ☺.

Thanks Ian I have reduced the noise in photo shop express, below image, I hadn't noticed the broad ring although I get it a lot with my 6" scope, I think flats would help a lot with that. It's very obvious in the single frames. I was experimenting with the darks to see if I needed as many, looks like I need at least 50 with 60 lights. Nige.

The first stack from my new pc. Taken Saturday 16th April. Old pc would take 3 - 4 hours to stack, new took 45 minutes. M5, 60x20s @1600 iso, 25 dark 50 bias. DSS & StarTools . I noticed a small faint cloud bottom left, not sure if it's a defect or something else, will have to check. Nige.

The mount is overloaded by a few pounds, I am a little concerned about it slewing at high speed so once aligned and on chosen object I will then mount the 200 re aquire the object and shoot away. Well that's the theory. I will only use the 8" for the fainter objects as the 6" is pretty good anyway. One day I might get a Heq5 that will be fine for the 8" not for a while though. The scope on the mount is the 200p F6 Nige.

The tube rings arrived, the mount seems to be up for it, I have set the scope upside down so the camera acts as a tiny bit of counterweight. I think I will align with the 150 then swap to the 200 and correct the alignment. You know it's going to be cloudy this evening though ☺1 Nige.

Thanks Steve, it does help. I shall give it a go. Cheers Nige.

I took them without anything covering the tube, I focused on the moon turned the scope to southeast and shot the flats av mode on camera, and left the camera in the scope until time to start taking lights.

I tried using flats for the first time Saturday, Something went wrong though. Flats are taken at twilight or through a white sheet or white screen is that right? I took mine as the sun was just above the horizon pointing scope to the southeast. The flat images were really odd, I can't post one until I get my new pc, They were light at the bottom fading to dark at the top, not a faint ring as I was expecting . Anyway they didn't work I had the reverse of that in the processed image. any tips on taking flats are very welcome ☺ Nige.

Ian & Steve, nice and clear images, you both done well considering that bright moon at the moment. I'm a bit of a nebula fan, that the first time I have seen the ring neb, I'm going to have to find that one ☺ M13 a cracking shot. WD guys.

A little good news, pc broken but my astro files saved by pc doctor ?? perfect excuse to get much better pc, it's coming Saturday. Nige.

The second image is amazing, so much colour and detail I would be very proud of that image, VWD.

I spent the night trying to photograph the flaming neb, M5, an attempt at black eye galaxy which was ruined by dew before I realised then finally the Dumbbell. I have only processed M27 now computer is knackered, hard drive packed up. Praying I haven't lost everything. But a very enjoyable night Saturday, bed by 4am ☺

Very nice Steve, lots of detail, ?

A good night last night after sorting out dew problem, started taking lights at 2am after street lights go out, what a difference. M27 Dumbbell nebula. 48x20s @ 1600 iso, 40 dark, 50 bias. 150p canon 1200d. DSS & StarTools. Nige.

Nice image of M42 thanks for sharing ?

I used manual rather than auto, mainly Clarify, sharpen and denoise , I took a screen shot of the app, To process an image takes only a few minutes, The auto optimise tends to over do it though the 2 screen shots show the main adjustment tools. Nige.

Ian, I took the liberty to download and run your M64 through the Photoshop express app, it's made a bit of difference. The first time I used the app I couldn't believe what it done to my images, and it's free ? I hope you don't mind. Nige .