Gerr

Hi Peter,

I have a 2x and 3x Barlow. Is Backyard EOS free? Sounds like a decent solution though.

Cheers,

Ger.

Absolutely gorgeous. I would like that to be my next step up image in AP.  

Ger. 

Hi,

I bought a Canon T4i (650D) modded for £220 from this forum last year after being disappointed with my Pentax K10d. I cannot afford the expense or have the time for full CCD dedicated astro camera. Our imaging sessions here in the UK (clouds, rain, wind etc) are usually short so one shot colour (in my opinion) is the way to go for an achievable 'quick' result. As well as the camera I use a HEQ5 pro mount with two telescopes, ED80 pro (for wide field shots - e.g. nebulas) and SW200 reflector (galaxies, clusters, smaller targets). Run through EQMOD , APT and Cartes du Ciel. I also use ZWO mini guide camera to achieve long exposures. I also got my telescopes second hand from this site but other stuff I had to buy new!!££££.! 

My images are usually achieved with exposures of 3-4 minutes duration and I try and take at least 20 of them. I then stack them in DSS (with bias and flats, darks I don't take - dither instead) and process them in photoshop CS2 (old but still does the job). I'm starting to build a library now (I started AP three years ago) and am pretty pleased with the results I am getting. 

Astrophotography is an expensive and sometimes frustrating hobby in our climate but can be very rewarding given enough time and opportunity. I would consider mono astro CCD with filters and wheel but not while I live in the UK.

Anyway that's my penny worth and check out my images below that I have got with my 'methodology'!

P.s. I would like to image planets but am struggling with the 650D (no image crop on this model) - am considering low cost web cam approach, any suggestions??

Ger :)

Post-processing always a learning curve. There are always 'tweaks' and compromises to be had! 

I managed to learn a bit more about masks and colour channel levels to try and further improve my last image too:-

Nice image of the Veil.

I had a go at the Western Veil too last night. Very similar set-up to you. Canon Rebel T4i modded. 48 lights of 210 second duration. Optilong dual band pass filter (Ha and OIII). Guided on HEQ5 Pro Mount using Evostar ED80 Refractor. Stacked in DSS. Processed in Photoshop CS2.

Not as much red in my image (but with a modded camera and filter I like to tune that channel down anyway as I sometimes feel it becomes too saturated). Hope you like too.

Gerr.

Hi Bryan,

Well done - that look's a great image.

I'm still learning but I use one shot colour (modded DSLR user) in conjunction with APT and light pollution filters.

I love to have a go at nebulas whatever the moon phase as my set-up doesn't seem to mind.

This is what I got last night in Cygnus:

Managed to get 3hrs of guided data using Evostar ED80 on HEQ5 Pro Mount. Stacked in DSS. Processed in Photoshop CS2.

The Western Veil is one of my favourites and this is a much better attempt than my last one (which was way too noisy and too red saturated).

Hi Greymouser,

Thanks for the kind comments.

It's the North American Nebula (I even clipped the Pelican nebula to the right of the image).

Taken with a Canon 650D modded camera.

I would have got more images but as John mentioned it was low on the horizon and dipped behind my garage.

The moon was waxing but I also had a LP and Ha Filter in the armoury.

Cheers,

Gerr.

Hi All,

Been in the background for several months (learning). Amazing knowledgeable members on here that helped show me the way!

Bought a few things from members and took advice about how to do things.

Finally got out last night and got this:

Amazed myself!!

I used APT, PHD2, Canon DSLR (modded) and ED80 (with auto focuser) on HEQ5mount all connected through EQMOD, Cartes du Ciel and ZWO mini auto guide system.

10x7min exposures ISO800 (dithering on).

Processed through DSS and Photoshop CS.

Chuffed with the result and hopefully onto more targets now!!

Gerr

Orion Nebula - March 2019.

SW 200p. Pentax K10D.  ISO 800. 55sec Exposure. Tracked only.

Great images on here folks that drives me to try harder. Still on a steep learning curve and just need more practice time as Skies allow!!!