Andromeda Exposure

[JohnnyD333]

Hello SGL,

I recently imaged M31 with a 300sec exposure. I knew Andromeda was bright, but it is a bit overwhelming. I was wondering if shorter exposures are better for imaging this monster galaxy. The core of the galaxy took up most of my image. Thanks all:icon_salut:

[themos]

Reduce the ISO or gain and see how long you can go without saturating the core.

[JohnnyD333]

Do you think I could pull off ISO 400?

[RogerTheDodger]

funnily enough I was pondering the same question today, all I have picked up soi far is the core...

[jgs001]

I used 76x6 minute exposures at ISO800, with careful processing to protect the core, oh and a lot of hair loss in trying to process it too... only took 6 attempts...

[JohnnyD333]

Ill give it a go at 800, if I overexpose Ill move down. Thanks JGS and Themos

[rocketandroll]

I snapped it a few weeks ago through my 200mm lens at f3.2 and ISO800 with 120 second exposures and it came out pretty well. Just five subs showed up most of the galaxy quite nicely.

When I try it next I was going to aim for f4, ISO400 and about 5 or 6 min exposures.

Maybe try combining some longer exposures for the fainter areas and some shorter ones for the core?

Ben

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[jgs001]

I just realised, I should have said those settings were on my 80ED. 600mm f/7.5

[ollypenrice]

I found I could cover the dynamic range at F3.9 in five min subs with CCD. If you are struggling, step one is to try two stretches of the same data, one for the cores and one for the arms. Combine them in layers in PS.

If that doesn't work here is your answer; Compositing 2 Different Exposures via Layer Masks

Olly