I've jumped on the M31 band wagon :-)...

[Vega]

This was my second attempt at imaging with the Canon 70-300mm APO lens with CLS filter clip. First up, the CLS filter is excellent, making the LP much more manageable. I would never normally attempt M31 until later in the year due to my heavily light polluted Eastern sky.

I used my EQ3-2 mount which has some serious Periodic Error issues so please be gentle! I was disapointed with the maximum exposure length of 80sec that I was getting before obvious star trailing (considering I was only zoomed in at about 200mm). Due to my eagerness I think I overdid the stretching in levels a bit. I tried to counteract it with a hefty edge preserving smooth which made it look a bit too un-natural for my liking. Anyways, its a start

(click to enlarge)

I've already learnt some things about camera positioning and focusing with the lens. Now I hope to bag Andromeda properly by mounting it on the EQ6 with PEC correction turned on and zooming to maybe 300mm. Hopefully then I can upload something less ugly than the above

Matt

[Psychobilly]

Thats not at all "ugly"

Billy...

[ncjunk]

Well hurry up and attach it to the EQ6! This as a test shot is great and can´t wait to see

the next results.

Neil C

[gary1968]

And a very nice start it is too Matt.......

Gary

[thing]

Excellent shot, no cause for grumbles there.

[CELESCOPE]

Sitting pretty there Matt , very nice indeed

Rog

[Ferox]

Nice one.