1st Go at Direct Focus

[LndnEgg]

Hi all

So Im a few months into Astronomy now and I recently treated myself to a DSLR (although very entry level). I have managed some half decent lunar shots afocally using my cheap and cheerful compact cam so naturally couldn't wait to give Direct Focus a whirl. I managed to get out the other night and took just under 300 shots, basically a 2 hour learning session, exposures, iso's etc.

Incoming....potentially dumb questions.....I seem to be struggling with sharpness and focus, even at faster shutter speeds. Am I right in saying the only way I can focus the image is with the actual scope focuser? What about DSLR remote pro - can that help with focusing? Am I perhaps expecting too much from my kit?

Also, what about magnifying the image?, I am already using a 2x Barlow (I have to to obtain a focusable image) - is there anything I can do to increase the image size in the FOV, as opposed to photoshopping it - extension tube maybe?

Anyways....here's a before and after of one of the better ones (after being Photoshop - which I also have limited knowledge of lol) just did very basic stuff like colour correction. little bit unsharp mask etc.

Would appreciate any feedback on pics and perhaps some basic do's and donts

Thanks in advance....Ed

[LndnEgg]

Forgot to mention.....Im aware that better (or even some) knowledge of stacking and other post processing techniques would help me improve my images, Im working on those areas too, a bit at a time.