Galen Gilmore

You guys are so good at this! I just gotta get back in the swing of things, maybe get some new kit.

How much does a light pollution filter upset this target? I was going to image this, but am thinking about waiting until I can get to a dark sky.

31 minutes ago, alacant said:

Depends on the dslr. Which do you have?

Modified T3i/600D.

18 hours ago, alacant said:

3 minute light frames, dark frames to remove banding, bias and flat frames. Take the bias from everything before you start. Dither. Or use a modern DSLR which doesn't produce banding and lose the dark frames.

HTH and good luck. Do please post your image.

Should you dither and take dark frames, or just one or the other?

This image was both a failure and a success at the same time. It was my first time shooting the rosette, and I wanted to make it a good one.

I was able to get 20x2mins on Saturday, and 40x2mins on Sunday. Although all of the images on Sunday became completely unusable, I accidentally had the DSLR slightly rotated within the focuser, and I guess more people had their lights on because LP was significantly worse.

So I was only able to use a small portion of the frames I collected, about 40 minutes. 

Although I felt like I really resurrected the image from the grave in post processing. I learned a new technique for gradient removal (the image had the worst gradient possible). And while it’s definitely not great, it looks a lot better than I expected it too be considering the state of the picture.

I don't have a pier myself, but from what I have read on this sub you don't need to do hardly any polar aligning. As far as I'm aware every few years you might need to readjust because of Polaris' movement across the sky.

This image was both a failure and a success at the same time. It was my first time shooting the rosette, and I wanted to make it a good one.

I was able to get 20x2mins on Saturday, and 40x2mins on Sunday. Although all of the images on Sunday became completely unusable, I accidentally had the DSLR slightly rotated within the focuser, and I guess more people had their lights on because LP was significantly worse.

So I was only able to use a small portion of the frames I collected, about 40 minutes. 

Although I felt like I really resurrected the image from the grave in post processing. I learned a new technique for gradient removal (the image had the worst gradient possible). And while it’s definitely not great, it looks a lot better than I expected it too be considering the state of the picture.

Again nice data.

Here's my attempt with your image. I tried to give the image a more natural feel through color balance and contrast, although at the expense of smaller details.

2 hours ago, Danjc said:

Do you have a budget in mind ? 

I have a HEQ5 currently carrying about 8kg which I’m happy with but wouldn’t want to go to much more weight wise (manufacturer states 11kg max payload for AP) 

If I could choose again I would have saved a little more and gone for a EQ6-R Pro to future proof myself a little better. 

If you are maybe wondering about the EQ6-R PRO and NEQ6 PRO this is taken from FLO site.....

 

EQ6-R PRO vs NEQ6 PRO: 

The EQ6-R has a higher payload, is belt driven (reduces backlash and improves guiding) has a redesigned body with a carry handle (easier to transport and setup) and improved latitude adjustment (more sturdy and effective over a wider range of latitudes).  It uses an RJ45 plug for the handset connection (better than the DSUB used by the EQ6, especially in the dark!) and a screw-on power connector (more secure and reliable than the NEQ6 PRO's push-fit power connector). It also features a USB port has a new 'SNAP' camera control port so you can fire a DSLR camera automatically from the mount. 

I'm trying to buy $700 - 800 USD, I was looking to see if maybe I could buy just the mount head from somebody, because I already have the tripod from my EQ5. The EQ6 and NEQ6 are out of my price range unless I'm able to find an absolute steal.

Edit: I actually did find a crazy steal on an Orion Atlas EQ-G for $560. Only problem being that it doesn't come with a tripod or counterweights. Do you happen to know if the skywatcher tripod and counterweights would work with the Orion product?

29 minutes ago, johngm said:

What is the payload capacity you are looking at ?, this will help the members give you some guidance. If you are on a tight budget, you could look at upgrading your own mount with this kit.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/synscan-pro-goto-version-3-upgrade-kit-for-eq5.html

you should be able to get this stateside and save on international duties

John

Currently my scope + camera + finder = 6.5kg. Adding a guide scope to that would bring that to 7-8kg ish. I just don't feel comfortable with an EQ5 for imaging with that weight.

I've had my single axis motor EQ5 for 3 years now. I think it may be about time for an upgrade, or at least soon. 

I know about the HEQ5/Sirius, probably the safest bet out of any mount, tried and tested. Although they are on the expensive side of things for me, and because of their popularity finding a used one has been difficult.

I have looked at the Celestron AVX as well, but have seen mixed reviews among astrophotographers. But it is more within my price range, and has the payload capacity for what I need.

Anything that I am missing here? I'm based in America, but am willing to buy from FLO.

1 minute ago, Captain Magenta said:

look like an EQM-35 to me...

 

Thanks, been out of the loop for a while. Is that a new-ish mount?

33 minutes ago, mAnKiNd said:

Hi all,

Here's a few images I took this month from my super dark sky backyard:

https://www.astrobin.com/9j3re6/?nc=user

https://www.astrobin.com/72lpuk/?nc=user

https://www.astrobin.com/1mbaoz/?nc=user

Cheers,

Minos

What mount is that? It looks like an EQ5, but with little black boxes for the motors.

Getting back into astrophotography after about a year. I have really forgotten my whole routine, so need some information here.

do you think it’s possible to consistently get 180s exposures from an EQ5 carrying 6kg? Would it be a safer bet to just go with 120s?

thanks.

Exposure details?

The 2nd picture looks like wind or shake from the ground, although it's hard to tell when I don't know how long you were exposing for.

I can't believe that this thread is still going strong after 111 pages of discussion and pictures.

Looking to get back into the astrophotography, anybody got any tips for keeping bright stars from blowing out? Especially in areas such as the Horse Head Nebula.

I love my spiders, they catch the terrible mosquitos that endlessly swarm me!

Except those two that just sit in the web in the corner of the room doing nothing... Completely useless.

I haven't actually had a successful imaging session in a long time, so I have lost almost all motivation, so I know the feeling.

Because of that I also haven't been active on this forum for many months.

Correct me if I am wrong, but a small dot of dust on the photo like that would have to be directly on the sensor of the camera. A spot on the lens/mirror probably wouldn't even be visible because of the long focal lengths involved in telescopes.

Wow, all of you have been getting so good at using the PDS.

As for me I’m just waiting for the right opportunity...

Welcome to SGL! Just remember that we don't discriminate and we are happy to answer any questions you may have, we have a great community here!

Also, it's very cool that you are a physicist, astrophysics is my dream job!

5 hours ago, moise212 said:

Meanwhile, I had some spare time today and I processed some partial data for M27. 8h of O3 and 4:40h of Ha. Need more data. Perhaps ~16h of O3, 10h of Ha and some RGB.

Nice color!

15 minutes ago, vernmid said:

Last nights Leo triplet

24 x 240s subs

130PDS + EQ5 + Unmodified 350d

Pleased with this one :-)

 

is this guided? Just curious.

Great image BTW.

32 minutes ago, simondodd said:

I know it's not ideal but I took some flats this evening and added them to the stack and then did a complete reprocess in photoshop... Fair amount of difference although the final histogram isn't great so I'm sure I've made some mistakes and cropped out some data somewhere along the way. I'm happier with the final image though

24subs @30seconds, ISO 400, 10 Darks, 10 Bias, 19 flats. Nikon D5000, 130PDS, HEQ5 Pro.

Wow, big improvement! Congrats.

Might as well post this here as well, although it was already posted in other forums.

So far this is one of my best photos, over an hour of integration time too, which is a first.