Step by step

[Demonperformer]

OK, posting a set of pictures here from the initial result produced by DSS, through steps provided in Steve's book. Appreciate that even the finished result is not fantastic (128x 15s @1600ISO), but if anything looks like it shouldn't at any particular stage, would appreciate feedback on that - that way I can identify where improvements are needed. Processing done on GIMP.

Thanks

1. As produced by DSS

2. Initial histogram stretch

3. LP removal

4. Gradient removal

5. 'curve' stretch

6. saturation adjustment

7. full size crop around cluster

[6&7 on separate post as could only upload 5 on this one]

[Demonperformer]

The final two pics

[jgs001]

Looks like you're on the right track there. I think in the processing, probably in the lp removal, you've lost a lot of the fainter stars around the edge, and it looks like you may have over stretched the core as it's burnt out (that's very easy to do though). It's often better to run through an adjustment multiple times, carried out more gently, than to go all out in a single hit, the results tend to be better. The key I've found is to be very gentle to get the best results.

As for the LP, it'd be worth looking at an LP filter. The 102 is fast enough that the CLS will do a great job on it, or the SW LPR filters are much cheaper and do work quite well. Also worth looking at something like the semi apo filter to help suppress CA (just bear in mind, that, if you decide to have a go at some reflection neb, like around M45, the filter will suppress a lot of that too).

[Psychobilly]

If the core is already burnt out when you stack all the frames do a shorter stack and layer combine it in CS/PS....

Or when your doing your curves and levels adjustments save a copy before the core gets blown then continue to bring out the fainter details and then combine those two images...

like all things there are often a few different ways of processing the same data..

Regular saves under different filenames help especially if your thinking of trying different processing techniques...

Keep the reolution and bit depth as high as possible as long as possible and always save before dropping either...

Peter...

[astrokat]

I think gradiant removal should be done after your first standard curve bud

toby