Comet Lovejoy and Pleiades M45

[celestron8g8]

I was using my XSi on a tripod but was testing out an old Pentax SMC 135mm f/2.8 lens . The comet is a stack of 22 images and 2 darks averaging 5-8 secs . Anything more I had star trails . M45 is 24 images and 2 darks . Both shot at 1600 ISO . These may not be the best images but I think the lens is definitely a keeper . Pictures would be much better had I been piggybacking my scope so I could do longer exposures .

Comet Lovejoy (C-2014)_ronlhodges_01-20-2014_B_ by ronlhodges, on Flickr

M45 Pleiades by ronlhodges, on Flickr

[Pete Presland]

A very nice capture with some excellent star colour as well.

You might want to ask a mod to move to the correct section though you will get more replies.

[Daveb3650]

Very good shots...both keepers in my book

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice images. The comet shows a very nice tail, and it looks like you have got a bit of the Merope Nebula in the M45 shot

[celestron8g8]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone . Took my last session last night and made another post  . Got some bad weather coming today . The comet will start dissappearing in 10 more days .

[Psychobilly]

Nice images for such a short exposures and total integration time.. The lens looks like a keeper

It's well worth getting some tracked longer exposure if at all possible... That tail will just grow and grow as you add to the integration time

Peter...

[celestron8g8]

Thanks Peter for your comment and input . I plan to piggyback on my C8 next time chance arises . Not sure the comet will be there tho . But there is plenty other DSOs' in the sky !