Deepskystacker

[Polux]

Hi there!

I'm a complete newbie in Astrophotography.

I'm beginning using Deepskystacker and my first results were a complete disappoint.

I was trying to do a very quick test, using DSS. I used my D7000, with the Nikor 18-105mm and shot 10 JPEG images in ISO 800, f3.5, 5sec exposure. I didn't use any dark/flat photos. I was just a first experience.

Then I followed this tutorial: http://flintstonestargazing.com/2009/06/26/my-quick-deepskystacker-tutorial/

I and up with this terrible output: http://i.imgur.com/iQVlBed.jpg. Ok, I know I shot in JPEG, with no calibration frames, I was expecting to get a poor quality image, but I didn't expect that I could end up with an image that doesn't resembles the original frames, this is a complete mess. You can check the original JPEG files here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ouujvckdu9nf4v/photos.zip

All help would be much appreciated.

Best regards

[davew]

Not only are they Jpeg but they're heavily compressed as well. Each frame isn't good.

Don't do a quick test. Do it all again in Raw and try around 15 / 20 seconds at least.

Good luck

Dave.

[Polux]

Not only are they Jpeg but they're heavily compressed as well. Each frame isn't good.

Don't do a quick test. Do it all again in Raw and try around 15 / 20 seconds at least.

Good luck

Dave.

Are D7000 RAW files compatible with Deepskystacker?

[Zuben Elgenubi]

DSS should work fine with Nikon NEF files. Just look at the homepage, under main features.

[leelee970]

You can use JPEG - although not the best format. you should have got something.

Unfortunately I can't view the original zip file (work security blocks it).

when I save a stacked image from DSS I save it both embeded and not embeded and then continue using GIMP.

[Polux]

You can use JPEG - although not the best format. you should have got something.

Unfortunately I can't view the original zip file (work security blocks it).

when I save a stacked image from DSS I save it both embeded and not embeded and then continue using GIMP.

Thanks for all this feedback!

That's what caused strange in me. Shooting in JPEG, I was expecting to get a very roisy, blured, etc..  image but not a blueish, incomprehensible one. If I show that image (http://i.imgur.com/iQVlBed.jpg) to anybody I doubt he could guess that is a star photo...  Could my camera have any problem? 

[leelee970]

I expect there is nothing wrong with the camera.

I have had similar results using DSS, the setting need to be adjusted.

just having a quick look, the blue channel is stretched really wide, maybe align all(R,G, together and reduce the luminance back a little.

sorry, can't be much more help, but I'm sure you have good data, just need to play with DSS.

[leelee970]

^{I've just found an early image of M27}

^{in JPEG using DSS - non guided and hardly any processing afterwards.}

[Zakalwe]

Are those trees in the bottom left of the individual frames???

[wxsatuser]

Thanks for all this feedback!

That's what caused strange in me. Shooting in JPEG, I was expecting to get a very roisy, blured, etc..  image but not a blueish, incomprehensible one. If I show that image (http://i.imgur.com/iQVlBed.jpg) to anybody I doubt he could guess that is a star photo...  Could my camera have any problem? 

Made me see stars.

I would think once you use RAW and get DSS settings right you pics will be ok.

Never tried jpg with it but if it works use it.

[Polux]

Are those trees in the bottom left of the individual frames???

Yes, they are.

[Zakalwe]

Yes, they are.

They won't help. They might reflect light into the camera for a start. And they might cause issues in stacking?

[Polux]

I expect there is nothing wrong with the camera.

I have had similar results using DSS, the setting need to be adjusted.

just having a quick look, the blue channel is stretched really wide, maybe align all(R,G, together and reduce the luminance back a little.

sorry, can't be much more help, but I'm sure you have good data, just need to play with DSS.

Again, thanks to everyone for all help. It is not common to find a forum with so may people helping

After played a little bit with the blue slider I got this image:

Much,much better .

Why all this bias in the blue channel?

[leelee970]

Much better, pleased you got it sorted.