M42 unguided lots of 1min subs

[Bizibilder]

Attached is my first proper attempt at M42. SW 200P on HEQ5 unguided. Seeing was a little hazy. 136 1 min subs (2h 16mins) plus 36 Flats and 40 Darks at ISO 800 Canon 1000D Prime focus. Stacked in DSS and then PS for levels and curves. I've appended two versions.

They seem a bit "monochrome" to me - I suspect due to the 1 min subs being on the short side to get enough depth and colour? I'm still unsure about PS processing and I have tried to avoid "blockyness" which appears all too easily if I go much further!

I also took a few 15 sec subs to try and "overlay" the core but these proved to be "faulty" (My faulty of course!!)

[Deneb]

Thats very good for unguided subs despite the blown core, have you tried imaging this using ISO400 @ 2min subs.

Nadeem.

[Bizibilder]

It was also my first night with EQMOD so I tried to keep it simple!! I often do 2 min subs - even with the extra "wasters" so I'll give it a go. I also have a problem that I only have a "slot" for M42 between two trees in my neighbours garden of around an hour. Some of the subs in the above were "through the trees" although this does not seem to have had much of an adverse effect as the twiggy bits are well out of focus!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Amazing results for the method.

[Steve 1962]

I agree with the others - great results!

I also agree with you - maybe a little bit monochrome, but very natural looking.

Steve

[Digz]

Nicely done, I prefer the second version though

I found my meagre attempt was very monochrome when I did the initial stack. I guess the short exposures like you suggest. I cant wait to go out and try it again, maybe as Nadeem suggest ISO400 and 2min subs

[simplybob]

I'm really liking these pictures! I've been thinking of getting a similar set up to what you've got, and these pictures convince me even more.