Steve143

Thanks. I will try that!

Thanks. For this image I just mounted the camera on a tripod, pointed it towards Deneb and took the frames. As a total beginner I'm just doing this to learn how to use the camera, take calibration frames and stack the images. To learn post-processing I'm using GIMP but it's a steep learning curve as I've never done this before but there are some great videos on Youtube and had read some useful articles on SGL. Once I feel a bit more confident I think I need to invest in a tracking mount to improve my images.

Thanks. The image was taken with just the camera and a tripod - no tracking mount. The total exposure time was only 10 minutes but I could try and stack fewer images to see if that removes the banding by removing some of the non-coinciding frames.

I'm still very new to astrophotography but hope someone can help with the image below. What is causing the light band across the top and right hand side of the stacked image? The image was taken with a Canon 70D using a 50mm lens at f2.8 and ISO 1600, untracked, and with a full set of calibration frames. I've noticed this banding on a couple of stacked images now, but not all of them. What am I doing wrong? Any help or suggestions would be most welcomed. Thanks!

Why lose the dark frames with the 70D? I'm very new to astrophotography and have just purchased a 70D and still experimenting with ISO and exposure times. I've also tried taking light frames only versus light frames and a full set of calibration frames, so any advice using this camera would be really helpful. Thanks!

Thanks Tim. I'm just waiting for some clear skies so I can give it a go!

Thanks for the information! I've bought a Canon EF 50mm/1.8 to get started and will look to see what other lenses are useful once I know what I can and can't do with the 50mm - once the skies clear!

I've just bought a second-hand Canon EOS 70D (body only) and looking for a recommendation for lenses. This is my first DSLR camera for astrophotography and I'm planning to use it on a separate imaging rig (not through my telescope, for now). I plan to use it mainly for deep sky objects, but also for lunar and planetary imaging. What would you recommend as a good all-round first lense, and for deep sky objects specifically? Thank you in advance.

Many thanks - I really appreciate all the advice as I know I have lots of questions to ask on this forum. This being the first of many!

Thanks for the welcome to SGL. I have found the mount a bit wobbly but I now hang a few weights from the eyepiece tray which does make it a little more stable. I agree with you on the DSLR - I think I'll use it on a separate rig just for imaging. I'm also looking to get a couple of extra eyepieces and was thinking of a 25mm and possibly a 32mm (I already have a 20mm and 40mm, along with a 6mm, 8mm and 12.5mm). Any recommendations? Thanks.

I've just recently started and bought myself a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ. After reading a lot of the posts on here I may have made an error in buying the 130EQ but for a beginner it's helping me to navigate the skies and I've already taken a few decent photos of the moon using my iphone. I've also joined my local Astronomical Society and I'm keen to learn about astrophotography. I'm also considering an entry-level DSLR (probably Canon) as a start, but not sure whether to use this separately on a tripod or try it on the 130EQ. Everyday I'm learning something new and should have joined SGL months ago! Clear skies everyone!