M42 first guided attempt

[decoyp]

I love this target even though it's been done a million times. I can't help getting excited when the image starts to jump out of the screen at you during processing and you start to realise just what you've managed to capture.

I'm still trying to get to grips with guiding with QHY5 and PHD but it's comming along OK I think. Hope you like the image.

Detail 16 x 4.5 mins lights

10 Darks

Processed in nebulosity/PS CS2

I want more light frames but is it worth it with an unmoded DSLR? What do you think ? Any thoughts welcome

[Taff]

Hi What a very nice capture of the neb and NGC1977.Nice and clear with you weldone.Mark

[decoyp]

Thanks Mark. Still not at the same standard as some guys out there but I'm on a budget !!

[Taff]

Hi' Your capture is much more detailed than my first ever one' i would be proud of it.Mark

[Black Knight]

Really nice image. Santa's bringing me a guide camera this year, and I can't wait to have a go

[decoyp]

Thanks. The autoguiding thing certainly makes a huge difference. It takes a bit of setting up though. I spent the summer making "the erection" - Pier, in the garden and then drift aligning the mount. I even made a DIY piggyback mount for my Equinox 80 ED to use an old 300mm telephoto as a guidescope - made out of MDF (I must improve this next year). Next spring project is to build a roll off roof shed around the "erection" . This is what my wife calls it. !!

[MikeWilson]

LOL decoyp

Ok, that's a really good image. Especially for an unmodified DSLR. I'm surprised that as you took 4.5 minute images that you didn't blow out the core of the Great Nebula.

You've done such a good job there, I can't wait to see what you can do with a modified DSLR

[decoyp]

I've don a bit of post processing in PS using layers to selectively hold back the centre of the image where it would be overexposed. Then some adjustments with levels and curves and finally a bit of sharpening. Seems to work pretty well for this image.

[jgs001]

That's a very nice result, I do like the unmodded camera colour scheme for this.

[Revs]

I never get tired of seeing M42, and what a beautiful example this is. Nicely done

[philj]

A nice image that with plety of detail and a nice rendition of the core. I agree about the colour of this with unmodded dslr, more blue instead of swathes of red and very nice too.

Spot on guiding as well, I started using PHD with a QHY5 this week as well and I still cant get over how easy is to get up and running using the ST4 connections.

Philj