M42 - Reprocessed

[VikN46]

I decided to attempt to completely reprocess my data of M42 from 23rd/24th November to try and get the core better and less blown out. I think I achieved it and quite happy with it now  

Any thoughts comments welcome.

SW Equinox 80 APO, EQ5 Pro Synscan GOTO.
Guiding: SW 9x 50 finder guider and QHY5.
Modded Canon 600D with CLS clip filter.
Using: BYEOS, PHD, DSS, Photoshop CC.

ISO 400
5 X 300 second light frames
6 x 600 second light frames
15 x 30 second light frames
10 x 10 second light frames
40 x Flats
20 x Bias
20 X Darks

ORIGINAL VERSION

M42 ORION NEBULA DSLR by VikN46, on Flickr

AND THE NEW REVISED VERSION

M42 - Reprocessed DSLR - Crop by VikN46, on Flickr

[FunkyKoval35]

Well done! Nice image

[bri]

Hi

Which field flattener did you use for the equinox?

Nice improvement by the way

Bri

[VikN46]

Thanks,  I use this one http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/skywatcher-field-flattener.html

[lensman57]

Excellent second version, the core area is really good.

Regards,

A.G

[VikN46]

I really can't leave it alone, just downloaded the fee trial of PixInsight and played around with it in there and this is what I have got just cant decide which I prefer!

M42 DSLR - Reprocessed with Pixinsight by VikN46, on Flickr

[symesie04]

The core is a vast improvement. But do think that its a touch heavy on the magenta. 

[VikN46]

The core is a vast improvement. But do think that its a touch heavy on the magenta.

Thanks I try and check the colours on my computer, mobile and tablet to try and get the best colour I can as on my computer it looks fine but then on something else too saturated, frustrating really.

[iksose7]

Nice work though i would agree that the red channel may be a touch too strong.

You have done a really nice job of transitioning to the core. Tough decision between the PI and PS versions, the PI version has more contrast and detail but at the expense of a little more noise by the looks of it. Either way, great images!

Callum

[VikN46]

Thanks for the comments more fiddling and I have reduced the red channel.

M42 - BEST IMAGE CROP pixi 1 less pink by VikN46, on Flickr

[Nathan_Pembs]

That's turned out really nice, big improvement

How do you find the equinox copes with the dslr attached? I've heard the focuser is prone to slipping

[VikN46]

Thank you,

The focuser isn't too bad, I tightened the tension and that improved it a lot. At the moment focusing is fine as I am using Capella which is quite low in the sky at the moment, there is a tendency for it to slip slightly if I am focusing on a star much higher in the sky like Deneb/Vega and it is a bit more fiddly to get it right, but I really don't find it a problem if I support it and tighten the focus lock knob when I am happy with the focus and it will happily stay in the same place all night.

[symesie04]

Huge improvement, real nice job with the core as well. Looks real good.

[VikN46]

Wow had an email today to say my image has been included in the Sky at Night December gallery. Very happy bunny!!

[Psychobilly]

Last version is the best - congrats having the image included in the SAN Gallery

Peter...