First successful picture (well nearly) - M45

[DorsetBlue]

Been playing around with my son's Nikon D5000, initially either piggy backed on my Explorer 130P / EQ2-motor or from a static tripod.  Finally (after many issues with focus), I got an okayish sequence of Comet Catalina. TAS then took hold (the equivalent of GAS in music i.e. Guitar Acquisition Syndrome ) and I bought a Star Adventurer and also Paintshop Pro X8 (couldn't find a windows installer of GIMP 2.9.2).  After more issues with focus, I managed to get a reasonable sequence of lights of the Pleiades and had a shot at post processing them in X8. Here is the result:

Nikon D5000, 18-55mm kit lens (at 55mm), 30 x 60s Lights, 30 x 120s Lights, 15 x 120s Darks, NEF files processed in DSS, 16 bit TIFF post processed in PSP X8.

Still plenty of learning in X8 needed.

[Starlight 1]

That come out well ,what you are useing Bee hide next image on your list.

[Astrosurf]

Very nice! you've got some nebulosity which is good. Poss a tad out of focus?

Alexxx

[Ken82]

Great start well done

[pyrasanth]

You've done well- a nice first image. I like the object framing & the number of captured stars. The next time you try increase the number of exposures & tighten the focus. The increase in exposure numbers will help reduce the noise in the image & brighten the fainter stars. You have captured a good level of nebulosity around the stars - so on to greater results!