First light for modded camera and new lens

[gthomas]

I recently had my Canon 450D filter removed but the weather hasn't allowed me to really test it so far. Also recently bought a second hand Canon EF 200mm lens for wide field work. Finally had a chance to test them both and I am really quite pleased with the results.

Started with IC1396, about 20 x 60 second subs with Astronomik CLS filter. The sky background caused a few colour balance problems but I eventually got something I thought wasn't too bad.

Then moved on to IC7000 which seems to be very popular around here at the moment

My poor effort is only 20 x 3 minute subs again with CLS filter. However this time I was stunned by the result as I have literally only stacked the frames and done a simple histogram stretch with PixInsight. I decided to leave it alone as any more fiddling is only going to ruin what is my best DSO to date.

[RogerTheDodger]

Fantastic results

[davew]

That NA image is excellent. Not only have you got the red element of the Nebula, you've got tons of dust running away to the right.

Just a thought.... Have you tried running wide open with the 200mm lens ? This lens has the quality to keep the edge stars under control. Also try a few frames without the filter and see what happens. I don't know how light polluted your site is.

As you have Pixinsight have a go at using DBE very carefully ( Not much background round here ) and that may balance the background and tweak the colour balance at the same time.

Very nice work. Just think what you'll do when it gets dark !

Dave.

[Psychobilly]

Nice results... The 200/2.8L is real corker of a lens for astro and has a very handy fov...

I posted a focusing trick for using the 200/2.8L wide open a few weeks ago...

Peter..

[gthomas]

That NA image is excellent. Not only have you got the red element of the Nebula, you've got tons of dust running away to the right.

Just a thought.... Have you tried running wide open with the 200mm lens ? This lens has the quality to keep the edge stars under control. Also try a few frames without the filter and see what happens. I don't know how light polluted your site is.

As you have Pixinsight have a go at using DBE very carefully ( Not much background round here ) and that may balance the background and tweak the colour balance at the same time.

Very nice work. Just think what you'll do when it gets dark !

Dave.

Thanks Dave,

The IC1396 shot is wide open while the NA is at F4. I found that the wide open shot had more background issues that DBE couldn't really resolve but which were helped by applying a lens correction using Canons Digital Photo Professional. The same correction made no difference to the NA image so I didn't bother. I think the colour balance problems were caused by me having the camera set with a custom white balance to compensate for the filter mod when I was testing it. I think I'm now getting on top of it

As you say when it gets dark the universe is my oyster. The NA was taken between 1am and 2am this morning when it was quite clear for a change but the sun is never that low is it?

[gthomas]

Nice results... The 200/2.8L is real corker of a lens for astro and has a very handy fov...

I posted a focusing trick for using the 200/2.8L wide open a few weeks ago...

Peter..

Thanks Peter,

Have you got a link to that posting?

[Psychobilly]

I wi go an dig it out but im on a phone rather than a pc (watching the rugby) it was in the imaging tips and techniques section

Basically you focus on star on a thirds point rather than the centre of the frame. .

Peter...

[davew]

As you've done the experiment, stick with what's best for you. You beat me to it anyway

I'm a fan of widefield and I'm looking forward to more of your work.

Dave.

[gthomas]

It's OK Peter, I found it.

I focus using live view through BackYard EOS and using it's FWHM function. To be honest I normally take whatever stars are in view rather than try to get them in a particular part of the frame. Maybe I should be more particular in future?

Cheers