quantum64

Day before the supermoon: Daytime Moon shot These are both taken with a Canon EOS XTi. Multiple shots processed in Registax.

Hello everyone, It's been a while since I've posted, so I thought I would post one of my recent pics. I finally bought a DSLR, so I'm in the beginning phases of learning how to use it and process the photos properly. Here is a photo of M33 I took this evening. Total exposure: 1hr 38mn 48s About 50 45s, 50 60s, and 20 90s frames This was unguided so I had to toss nearly half of my photos due to dragging. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Love this picture!

Ya, I'm just holding the camera up to the eyepiece. It isn't easy and there tends to be a lot of shacking since I can't mount the camera there. After taking a bunch of videos, I go through and pick out the best of the bunch for processing. Thanks!

I have not had much time to post lately, but I've been trying some new methods of imaging Saturn. The webcam at prime focus isn't giving me great results, primarily due to the bad webcam I am using. The results were OK though. I decided to try a new setup using a barlow and a 10mm eyepiece on my 8" reflector (1000mm focal length). Then I used my Canon PowerShot digital camera (not DSLR) to record video at the highest res. I also zoomed in as far as I could without using digital zoom. I recorded 1 minute video segments and stacked each of them (with Registax) with the following results. Things came out much more clear then my webcam. I think I even see the Cassini division? There are more new/updated photos on the site. I reprocessed some of my Jupiter videos with Registax, now that I'm learning to use it better.

Amazing! Great shot.

Congrats! I love the image.

I'll have to try that out. Thanks!

Gazza666 - It is at prime focus. I just took off the lens and set it over the focuser.

Thank you LukSkywatcher. I understand the skepticism. I had no clue the image would generate so much attention. I appreciate your compliments, and hope to post my complete setup, as to legitimize how I took the photo. Maybe it's these clear Arizona skies.

This image was of a series from my first time ever using a DSLR for imaging deep sky objects. I personally appologize for misleading anyone thinking this was my VERY FIRST shot with a DSLR. In that very first shot, you are likely to see a lot of dragging. I'm completely new to this. This was my first real attempt at getting an image. I had plenty of dragging images. Once I got things aligned and adjusted. I was able to get a series of shots that was worth sharing. To be clear. This was not the first click of the camera. This was the best shot I got in that series. Honestly, it only took about a half hour to get the scope aligned properly. I also made sure the 3-star alignment was perfect. I hope this helps and I certainly didn't mean to mislead anyone.

Check out my website, you can see the ones with light polution. You can see how much light polution is gathered at 1600 iso. I reduced the redness by taking some red out and adjusted the contrast and brightness in photoshop. That was relatively easy though. It took a lot to get the stars from dragging. I just kept tweaking the alignment until I got it perfect. Finally, I got one without the dragging. The hairbands just held the camera to the scope. Not sure why that would cause flexure. I'm not sure what more evidence I can provide. I assure you though, I was just as suprised to see this. To be honest, i didn't know what to expect. I just worked with the telescope and camera settings until things started to appear. Once I got it, I was able to get series of great shots. This was the best of the bunch. With some slirght red reduction and brightness/contrast changes. I got this. I would be happy to take pictures of my full setup and exactly how I took the pictures. I'll try to post them soon.

I'm not sure which model of Logitech it is, but here is a picture of the webcam. I'm pretty sure it is just a CMOS based on the poor quality of images I am getting. Here is a pic of the webcam. I hot glued a piece of sanded down PVC on it.

I went to Lowell also. It was a great experience.

Thanks everyone!