M42 and 43 again

[MartinB]

3 clear nights last week producing over 10 hours of data in 15 min subs. had to chuck the final night because there must have been some high haze which threw up bad halos in the processing.

Scope: Tak FSQ with 0.78 reducer giving F3.8

Camera: SX M26c

IDAS filter

28x15mins

Captured, calibrated and combined in Maxim

processed (several times!) in PS

This is the sort of image you can faff around with forever when processing especially the dust which came out very red, maybe that's how it should be but I've toned it down a bit.

[Gina]

Tha's amazing - such a lot in there I agree about faffing around with it forever though even without the marvellous amount of data you've got there.

[allcart]

Lovely image Martin, and I also agree about the processing. I am trying hard to get an aacceptable image of the Horsehead and don't know how much red should be in there, after all, do any of us really know what it looks like.

[Raga]

That is a stunning picture. Loving it.

[Tom OD]

Great job and nicely layered / unblown core.

Tom

[tingting44]

lovely image buddy!!! SO much detail!! and none of us probably dont know what they look like present day, unless anyone can travel back in time lol

[James]

That's lovely - you really have caught the dust well

James

[SJJ]

Very nice....

[Black Knight]

That's a great looking image.

[RAC]

So interesting comparing similar shots with different equipment(and a different sky) Must be nice doing it at f3.8. I do find it a liitle hard to look at in portrait. To me the running man should be standing up. I totaly understand the faffing around with, i must have done my 400mm orion shot about 5 or more times before being happy with it.

[MartinB]

Thanks a lot everyone. RAC, I think your running man in New Zealand is different to mine F3.8 is very nice, my LP isn't pleasant though, I was surprised to pick up so much dust.

[Gina]

Although this is quite a dark site, I find an LP filter (CLS CCD) pretty much essential. Makes a huge difference.

[MartinB]

Although this is quite a dark site, I find an LP filter (CLS CCD) pretty much essential. Makes a huge difference.

Yes, my sky is mag 4/5 and using an LP filter is a no brainer, I really rate the IDAS filter esp for OSC. Gives a faint cyan cast which is easily sorted.

[Anweniel]

Magnificent colour and detail Martin, love it.

[StuartJPP]

Excellent

[fwm891]

Mouth watering Martin - superb

[adamsp123]

The depth of detail is staggering Martin, getting the darker stuff is awesome