Daf1983

Managed to collect some more data on this target last weekend, a total of about 5 hours. Took a slightly different approach to processing this time. Did a quick stretch, then removed the stars with starnett++, and processed the nebula and stars separately. Also tried stretching using the arcsinh stretch. Still not sure I'm happy wth the colours, but here it is.

Collecting more subs on the Rosette Nebula

Thanks for your kind comment. I got the l-enhance when I was using my DSLR, would probably go for the l-extreme now that I have a dedicated astro camera. That being said, I love the l-enhance, it has totally transformed my imaging

Sorry, posted this in the wrong section. Mods, please move to imaging section🙈👍

Some unexpected clear skies over the weekend meant I got to try my new ZWO ASI 533MC pro for the first time. I had some issues with guiding during the session, which I won't go into now, but managed to get about 2 hours of useable data using the l-enhance filter, each sub being 180s. Flats, dark flats and darks added for calibration, and everything processed in photoshop. I can't believe the difference a dedicated camera makes compared to my 600d. The data is so clean in comparison, which makes processing so much easier. Very happy with my purchase, and pretty pleased with this for a first image. CC welcome as always Dafydd

Thanks, I will give this a go tonight

I did try this briefly, but found that the diffraction spikes weren't very clear. I was using the l-enhance, so maybe that made the image to dim in live view?

I had my first light with the ASI 533 last night since moving from a dslr. Everything ran smoothly, but I had trouble focusing. I'm used to focusing with a bahtinov mask and using the live view on the dslr, but this is obviously not an option anymore. I tried to loop 2/3 second exposures in the CCD tab, and this worked to an extent with the bahtinov mask. I was just wondering, is there a better way of focusing in ekos, without the use of an autofocuser?

Haha. It's a pain, I have bortle 4 skies apart from that light shining right into my back yard! I usually set up on the lawn behind the shed, which blocks it, but it's too soggy after all the recent rain

First light for my new Asi533, shooting the rosette👍

New camera and filter arrived today. Went for the 533 in the end after much deliberation. Great service my @FLO, ordered Saturday night, arrived this morning. Can't wait to give this a go when/if we get a clear night 😬

I connect my heq5 to my rpi4 with a eqdir cable.https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html They cost about £30 and I control everything with stellarmate os(or astroberry does the same job).

I think the 600d sensor is pretty good, although I'm no expert. I'll be selling it as a bundle. I have an ac adapter, an m48 adapter to connect to telescope, 2 sd cards, usb cable etc. It has a low shutter count of about 6000 (I get get the exact number if needed), and it was modified my Juan at cheap astrophotography last year. DM me if you're interested so that I don't take over your thread.

I'll be putting my Canon 600d up for sale in the next few days if that's of interest

Thanks again everyone for their input. Some lovely shots there @geeklee! As the square sensor doesn't really bother me (I actually quite like the framing in telescopius), I think I will probably go for the 533. I need to sell my dslr first to raise some funds, so plenty of time to change my mind again😂

Thanks everyone for their input, still not sure what to do, but I'm still slightly leaning towards the 533 because it seems easier Would be nice to hear from someone who has used it with the 80ED, just to put my mind at ease.

Thanks everyone for their replies! I started this thread almost certain I was going to go for the 533, but now I'm even more torn between the 2. 🙃 I think the main thing that I would like to know is: - Would both cameras give me similar performance/results, and does it then just come down to a choice of FOV and square sensor vs rectangular sensor?

Am I correct in thinking that the calibration issues occur when using a dual band filter like the l-enhance/l-extreme? This is the main thing that's putting me off the 294 at the minute. Amp glow doesn't overly bother me, but I don't want to be spending hours struggling with calibration frames. With a young family and work commitments, time is valuable commodity!😬 From what I've read the 533 seems a lot more user friendly/trouble free. Any 533 users out there?😀

That's a great image with so little integration time! I'm sure I'd be happy with either camera, and either would be a big step up from a dslr.

Thanks for the input. I was also initially wary of the square sensor, but found the framing worked for most targets, although quite tight for bigger targets like Pleiades an M42. Have you had any issues with calibration?

Hi, After a year of this great hobby, I'm thinking about upgrading from my Canon 600d to a dedicated astro cam. I've narrowed down the options to the Zwo 294mc pro and the Zwo 533mc pro. They both seem a good match for the scope in terms of sampling. So from what I can see, it comes down to the fact that the 294 has a bigger fov, and the 533 has no amp glow. I've also heard that some have trouble with taking calibration frames for the 294. I've tried framing many targets in telescopius with both cameras, and the vast majority fit in the fov of the 533. At the minute, I'm leaning towards the 533, but would welcome any opinions before I drop a grand of my hard earned money.😬

I used my 600d with a 135mm Carl Zeiss lens, which was much slower than your 50mm. I had it on a Omegon Minitrack, which could only manage subs of about a minute before star trailing. I always used either iso 800 or 1600, with some decent results. You will probably manage longer subs than me with your mount/lens combination. Personally I would start off at iso800, as that is the sweet spot for that sensor

No dark frames used on this. With regards to dithering, for some reason it hasn't worked on ekos during my last couple of sessions, and I'm not sure why. There's a lot of hot pixels in the image aswell, which I assume dithering would cure. Something I need to fix, but is hard to do without actually having clear skies to image.

😂 I will definitely buy a dedicated camera eventually, I'm trying to be sensible and not put more astro stuff on the credit card😁 I think I'll have saved enough money by the summer. Still can't decide between the 294 and 533mc pro though

It really is a pain! This alone makes me want to drop a grand on a dedicated camera