Images from a new setup #1

[JCJC]

The cloud held back all night on Saturday and I was able to get 1h 40mins on M31

I was trying out a new setup, Canon 400d with a 70-200mm EF lens at f/5.0 on the CG-5 guided with an ST80 and Phillips webcam, very pleased with the results but more exposure would help. I found this setup to guide much more effectively than with the heavy C6, I think because the balance is better.

That's 25 x 4 mins, 10 x Darks, no flats or bias. Stacked in DSS and proccessed in CS3

Limited to 4 mins due to light polution so I can't wait for my new modified 350d and CLS clip filter to arrive.

Do I need flats with this kind of setup?

Comments and critisims welcome.

Thanks for looking........ Jordan

[johnh]

Lovely wide field and M31 sits very nicely indeed. It is always best to use calibration shots as you notice bright central circle which flat calibration should remove giving an even tone. Gradient exterminator (not too expensive) will take away colour gradients as I see a brown patch right side of M31 and colour gradients are common with DSLR's. Your setup seems trouble free at this scale. John.

[JCJC]

Thanks John..... I'm still learning so amazingly happy to get results like this.

I do have flats so I'll have a re-stack at some point and I'll try out the free trial of Gradient exterminator.

Jordan.

[RobH]

Hello Jordan.

A very nice FOV with your setup.

You don't often see M31 this wide, and it will be a great setup for mosaics of things like Orions belt for example.

I agree with John, you do need to take flats.

There is significant vignetting, causing you to end up with the black point clipped towards the outside of the field, which looks unnatural and may be masking some interesting faint objects.

This goes for your M45 also.

Cheers

Rob

[red dwalf]

WOW ! i was looking at M31 on Saturday, it was nothing like this.

AMAZING

[Taff]

Nice W/F capture of the galaxie with the stars' in the backround.Mark

[steppenwolf]

Flats can be a real pain but they can make all the difference

[Cloudwatcher]

That's a really smart image that cleans up well:icon_salut: I have a similar lens....... must give it a try.

Here is a 'flipped' version which I think shows up the 'ball in a bowl' effect.

[JCJC]

That's incredible CW, I spent a while trying to get this right.

What kind of steps did you go through to improve the image?

Feel free to have a go at my M45 image aswell, if you have a minute

Thanks..... Jordan.

[Cloudwatcher]

Feel free to have a go at my M45 image aswell, if you have a minute

Thanks..... Jordan.

I don't think there is much wrong with the M45 image once the 'red bit' is reduced,although I must admit I'm not,as a rule,a fan of pointy stars.

Anyhow,here is a quick job with a darkened background.

[JCJC]

Thanks CW, are you using some kind of smoothening technique?

About the diffraction spikes, they're natural, perhaps caused by the UV filter I left on the front of the lens. Not sure if I should take his off or not?

Jordan

[Cloudwatcher]

Yep,basically just desaturate and blur.

[JCJC]

Had a quick edit myself, I think it's an improvement?

It's certainly different, there seems to be two approaches to M31 colour wise.

Jordan

[JCJC]

Grr....... don't really like that so much any more, the background is better but there's a loss of detail.

Jordan