First pop at the moon...

[Devonian]

My first attempt at imaging the moon (in fact, imaging anything skyward).

Canon 10D + 2x Barlow, Sky-Watcher ST80.

Single frame, RAW @ 1/60 sec and a little post processing.

Considering there is a sodium street lamp 15 yards diagonally to the right and a flourescent strip light 10 yards diagonally to the left, both looking down the 'scope, I don't think it's too bad?

Constructive comments please...

(click to enlarge)

Nigel.

[daz]

Pretty good for a single frame, although I think the focus was a bit soft.

But if you took a number of these and then stacked them, you'd increase the signal to noise ratio and produce a nice smooth image.

But for a first shot, its great

[daz]

Oops - this needs to move as well

[Ant]

I bet your happy with that?

I agree with Daz, focus slightly off - but that could have be atmospherics - the moon is still quite low at the moment.

Ant

[jgs001]

Well done, good first attempt. I have to agree, it looks a just little bit out of focus

[steppenwolf]

I think that is a great first image - with regard to the focus, it possibly is a little too soft but I also suspect that the image has been 'smoothed' a little too much - detail can often appear much crisper if some of the 'noise' is left in the image - you could consider blending this smoothed version with an un-smoothed version until the noise just starts to appear.

In any event, I wish my first image had been that good!

[Andrew*]

What's goign on here, Nigel - are you having a pop at the moon? :x

In any event, I wish my first image had been that good!

and me!

Anyway, your image is an excellent first attempt and provides you a great starting point - you've got exposture almost bang on (a little overexposed for my liking), and you've got the framing spot on too.

Andrew

[supernova]

Well done on your first go at the moon

Bernie.

[Sam]

A very nice image- cracking first go!

[MikeD]

Great shot and the first of many I hope.

Mike.

[Beyond_Vision]

Thats a great first shot and one to be proud of for a first off. As others have said the focus is a little soft and exposure slightly too long. If more images are taken and stacked with a free program like Registax this would improve the detail and reduce any noise.

Regards

Kevin

[SteelRat]

Yeah, tweak the focus and you're nearly there. Nice first shot Nigel 8)

[Devonian]

Thanks for the advice, appreciated.

I did do several shots in quick succession, like 9 in under 2 seconds, via a remote shutter release.

However, the limit is a max of 9 RAW frames before the 10D empties it's buffer to the CF card, which takes an age.

Looking at a run of 9 images, several have some distortion, most likely as said, by atmospherics.

I took the best single frame and did a little post processing on that, end result is in my first post.

Agree on the focus, the biggest problem is - my eyesight!

Acheiving focus via the crummy Canon viewfinder is difficult enough in daylight, let alone at night.

I wear varifocals and setting the viewfinder diopter for daytime+glasses use is fine, however, I prefer not to use my glasses when observing !

I regularly shoot with old, manual lenses adapted to fit the Canon and can usually hit focus in daylight.

I need to find a quick 'perfect focus' for the 'scope somehow and am going to have a go at making one of the so called 'Bahintov Mask' - looks interesting and have printed a suitably sized one onto some card and now have a bit of work to do with the scalpel tonight.

http://stargazerslounge.com/index.php/topic,30884.0.html

Original article HERE - well worth a read.

Anyway, all said and done, I'm quite pleased with the first attempt and am beginning to appreciate just how much time and effort goes into the really good shots I see on this and other forums/web pages.

Nigel.

[Doc]

It's a very nice image.

Agree a little soft.

But once you start stacking you will be amazed how sharp your picture will become.

Btw 10d is an awesome camera. I'm jealous

[algol]

dam good for a first shot fella, keep it up

[PaulG]

Nigel

A great start with this shot, the Mare's show nice contrast.

I won't mention the focus (it's not too far off).

I would just alter the Moons orientation finally.

Paul

[Devonian]

Shot a few more last night.

This time I used my Canon 20D as I know the diopter is set for me wearing glasses.

Stack of 6 RAW frames with minor post processing.

Think I might be getting somewhere now.

I also shot a 30 sec AVI with a Toucam SPC900 but at a quick peek, I reckon the Canon out does it, so far...

(click to enlarge)

Nigel.

[PaulG]

Nigel

Those two shots are like chalk and cheese.

This one is loads better, nice and sharp.

Paul