1st M51. Unguided.

[long_arms]

Hello,

I still want to add more frames to reduce noise and get some fainter detail but I'm happy so far.

I have drift aligned with dslr up to 2 minutes until its spot on. Balance seems good but I'm still getting trailing stars!

Thrown out probably 2/3rds of frames. Some are clearly Periodic error but I can't explain the trailing in other directions :-( Is it because its pointing near the zenith so I need to adjust balance differently? Very frustrating anyhow.

70 x 1 mins with around 50 darks and flats taken over 2 nights.

Unmodded 350d at prime focus of 200p with the standard heq5 (one with no guide port).

Quite heavily cropped. I am extremely new to this (2nd attempt at a galaxy) so my processing was rushed...still not sure how to go about it. Suggestions for improvement ?

Thanks

Dan

[peter shah]

a great shot there Dan....more subs will improve your signal and allow heavier processing

[anthony]

I think that is a great image and all the better for the limitations of sub length and in-modded dslr

[Moon monkey]

wish my second attempt was that good .... very well done ...

[SJJ]

Nice image. I find if a set the mount up a little out of balance using the counter weights it seems to help the trailing when objects are high up. I certainly think one balance set up doesn't suit all locations in the sky.

[Gina]

Good start

[andyo]

Great start Dan