astrophotography need help. just begun astrophotography and have a few doubts.

[dwayne dias]

I managed to get a few images....although they aren't that sharp. It's my first attempt.

I managed to track and image Pleiades ,Orion nebula, owl nebul, crab, sombrero.

Camera used...70d, mannual tracking and guiding.

15 sec frames.( 9 mins total)

Iso 800

[dwayne dias]

Orion nebula

Scope...GSO 8" F6

Canon 70d

ISO 800

15 sec frames (10 mins total)

[dwayne dias]

Andromeda

ISO 800

20sec frames (12 mins total)

No auto guiding.

 

[happy-kat]

Well done, what a great start.

Have you fitted the EQ5 motor you managed to source?

[dwayne dias]

1 hour ago, happy-kat said:

Well done, what a great start.

Have you fitted the EQ5 motor you managed to source?

Haha....yea it works perfectly. 144:1 ratio seemed to be right. It takes the load well.

Just that I'm having issues with DSS. It doesn't detect many stars. Just that when I reduce the threshold below 10 the number of stars increase a bit. It just detects a dozen or so. Sometimes it just 2 to 5 stars that get detected.

[happy-kat]

DSS can be a bit fussy if the stars aren't round.

[dwayne dias]

Just now, happy-kat said:

DSS can be a bit fussy if the stars aren't round.

Oh...get it. No wonder. Its probably when the DSLR shutter opens and closes there's a slight shake. Probably need to get that problem sorted. 

[happy-kat]

Should be OK, as long as use a timer or remote shutter trigger.

[dwayne dias]

12 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

Should be OK, as long as use a timer or remote shutter trigger.

I do use a trigger remote. Although my prime adaptor is a bit faulty. That may be the cause. 

[happy-kat]

Though they do look nice and round and in focus on your M42 Orion image.

[Astrosurf]

Can you do mirror lockup? I allow a 2 sec delay with timing to account for that and it eliminates shake. Nice images!

Alexxx

[dwayne dias]

28 minutes ago, Astrosurf said:

Can you do mirror lockup? I allow a 2 sec delay with timing to account for that and it eliminates shake. Nice images!

Alexxx

I just checked the settings . yes I can. 

Thank u so much for that....

[Astrosurf]

You're most welcome. 

[dwayne dias]

My last nights session seemed to b pretty good. Managed to get 13 mins of exposure and  i plan on addinh more exposure time.

[Astrosurf]

Good one!

[Mick J]

Going well Dwayne, are you outside Mumbai ?

[Stub Mandrel]

9 hours ago, dwayne dias said:

My last nights session seemed to b pretty good. Managed to get 13 mins of exposure and  i plan on addinh more exposure time.

A better Owl nebula than mine! Well done.

[dwayne dias]

20 hours ago, Mick J said:

Going well Dwayne, are you outside Mumbai ?

Yes...outskirts... So its pretty dark out here. Specially winters.

[LukeSkywatcher]

19 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

A better Owl nebula than mine! Well done.

For a second there, i thought it was the Ring and central star. Then i realised it was the Owl.

[dwayne dias]

47 minutes ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

For a second there, i thought it was the Ring and central star. Then i realised it was the Owl.

Haha...I have added more frames now..and will b adding more exposure tonight...?...should land up with 30 to 40 mins of exposure finally.

[Astrosurf]

Good luck! When processing, try to avoid overdoing the stars. It's very common!

[dwayne dias]

3 hours ago, Astrosurf said:

Good luck! When processing, try to avoid overdoing the stars. It's very common!

I had a doubt though.....suppose I achieve 3 hours of exposure with 20sec frames and stack them ...would it differ from that of 3 hours of 3 to 5 min frames...??? Or will the images differ...???

[Astrosurf]

Don't worry about the stars when imaging (in the main). It's just the processing afterwards that you have to watch. What processing software are you using?

[dwayne dias]

 

Just now, Astrosurf said:

Don't worry about the stars when imaging (in the main). It's just the processing afterwards that you have to watch. What processing software are you using?

For now I use dss and lightroom

[Astrosurf]

I don't use DSS as it's quite clumsy. I'm afraid I don't use Lightroom but I'm sure someone else will advise.