Newbie: Help with Orion Nebula

[Jonnywb]

Hey!

:Newbie Mode on:

I hope this is the right place to post in! I wasn't sure!

...and sorry if this has been asked a million times, I just couldn't find what I wanted.

I've seen lots of pictures of the orion nebula, and basically, I would just like to know how to photograph it!

I know where it is, and what it is... but I'm not sure what I need or how to do it.

My basic equipment is a Canon 550D and a Skywatcher Explorer 200p (EQ5).

I hope someone can help, and I apologise if I'm being a complete and utter idiot... but that's what I do best!

:Newbie Mode off:

Cheers!

[Glen]

Hi jonnywb

first off if its not included with the scope you will need 1 of these

http://firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=tadaptor canon ef fit.

Then i believe (i may be wrong im sure others will know who have one) you need to unscrew the 1.25 adapter out of the focuser replacing

it with the T-ring then attaching the 550 to that.

Also you will need a shutter release cable like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Remote-Switch-Control-Cameras-RS-60E3/dp/B001EYL0A0

to stop any wobbles if you plan on taking long exposures.

you can get round this on short exp by using the timer delay function on the 550 but this is only up to 60 seconds i believe.

Obviously good polar alignment is needed and best to shoot in raw mode, but have a play with jpegs to 'get into it'

deep sky stacker found here http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html

will be needed in the future if you want to stack lots of pictures

together also a picture editing software to adjust levels & curves..

http://www.gimp.org/ is free to use and can do this (in 8bit.)

Try an iso speed of 800 and a 30 to 60 sec exposure but generally just

play around and see whats best.. and dont forget to have fun!

Look forward to the results, best of luck.

Regards

Glen

PS welcome to the dark side;)

[ollypenrice]

Once you have the mechanical side sorted out, here is what you need to know on the processing side.

Compositing 2 Different Exposures via Layer Masks

If there is a harder object to get right than this one then I have yet to meet it! However, even a bad image is great since the object is so utterly gorgeous...

Olly

ollypenrice's Photos

[Jonnywb]

Thanks for the help + Info!

I didn't realise that I would have to take 30-60s exposures... I guess that means that I would have to get a motor for my telescope!?

...which I was planning on doing anyway, so that's cool!

Cheers!

[Glen]

Glad to help Your right, without a motor drive its nearly impossible to do. i suggested

30 -60 secs just to get you going but often people extend that from several mins to hours!

Glen