Attempting Orion with camera + lens(es)

[Takahashi]

Here are a couple of snaps taken between gusts of sub-zero razor-wind last night :

Mount : NEQ6 Pro, unguided.

Camera : Canon 7D

Lens : Canon EF 50mm f1.8 mk1

Aperture : f1.8

Exposure time : 120 seconds

ISO : 1600

Filter(s) : Astronomik CLS clip LPR

Too many pink stars, as I tried to max-out Barnard's Loop, but this should hopefully be remedied in future. There's also a bit of trailing, as I hadn't aligned properly, and wasn't auto-guiding. Also, I can see what might be misshapen stars near the edge of the field; this may be due to the lens' aperture being wide open :

Again, testament to the usefulness of the CLS Clip filter; another 2 minutes completely unaffected by the LP that even the eye can see around the lower sections of Orion right now. I was well pleased to see the Running Man and Horsehead showing up so well, even on this un-modded 7D :

Mount : NEQ6 Pro, unguided.

Camera : Canon 7D

Lens : Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L mkII

Aperture : f2.8

Exposure time : 120 seconds

ISO : 800

Filter(s) : Astronomik CLS clip LPR

Next time I hope to get more and longer subs, having set up and finally getting my head around the Synguider.

[Ags]

Those are excellent!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Class.

[Takahashi]

Thanks folks.

[nmoushon]

Are those both just single exposures? I know your at f1.8 and f2.8 but didn't realize how much you could get with so little time at that f-ratio.

[Ags]

I'm getting a 50mm F1.8 UHC clip-in and planning to try it on a few regions - Orion, Cygnus and Casseiopeia. Also Auriga (not sure about that one). Nice to see the lens performs even at F1.8, and you got Ha signal with an unmodded camera.

[Viv]

Lovely images !

That 50mm is a cracking little lens.

[Takahashi]

Yep, single exposures, but this was an extraordinarily clear night, and at this wide aperture, you do get unwanted effects at the edge of the field; i.e. stretched stars.

[laser_jock99]

Nice shots- as you say wide open provides interesting results but f2.8 or even f4 will give those pin point star images- you'll just need to track and expose for 4 times longer (or stack multiple images)!

[astro_john_palmer]

Great shots Ivor.

I'd be very interested to see the equivalent shots without the CLS clip filter actually. I have a 50D and tried exactly the same thing at the weekend. All that could be seen was an orange mess with a load of stars. I was hoping to get some nebulosity, but all I could make out was the orion Nebula and a very, very faint little flame nebula.

Worth investing in the filter? Based on your results, most likely!

[Takahashi]

Yep, orange mush is what you'll see in most semi-urban exposures of more than a minute or two. Bear in mind, the above shots did require quite a bit of post-processing to eke-out the detail seen here. "Gradient exterminator" and some curve work at the very least. Straight off the camera, they were distinctly cyan-drenched, but this is a known "issue" with the CLS clip, and fairly easily rectified with auto white-balance.

[Digz]

Wow, they are stunning, makes me not want to post mine now, lol....

[Viv]

Ivor - I think I really really like you lots !!!

I have the CLS clip filter, it didn't work with my 17-200mm lens, so assumed it wouldn't with other.

Then I came back to your thread again, the rear of my 70-400mm lense is narrow enough to fit with the filter installed - yippee !!!!

Cheers