First try at M42

[AndyM]

This is my first try at deep sky photos. Camera is the Canon 350D at prime focus (not easy to focus but getting there ). Settings were a single shot, ISO 400, 20 second exposure, then tweaked just a little in Paint Shop Pro. Not cropped or anything, just as it looked in the viewfinder.

I'm quite pleased with this for a first go.

Andy.

[Chubster]

And so you should be....excellent

[geppetto]

You got a cracker there Andy

Well done

[Caz]

Thats a lovely image Andy, I bet your chuffed to bits with that... 8)

Caz

[SteelRat]

Lovely stuff Andy 8)

[moondog]

That's a great first attempt at M42 Andy.

Don't be afraid to use a higher ISO setting on the 350D. These cold evenings, ISO 800 and even 1600 will give you reasonably noise free images - and a lot more detail. Make a Hartman Mask to assist with focussing ( search the SGL archives for info ).

Look forward to your next image.

8)

MD

[CELESCOPE]

excellent first image Andy , yes try a lobger exposure , for more data , but a really good start .

Rog

[FLO]

If that's your first, can't wait to see more 8)

[AndyM]

try a lobger exposure , for more data , but a really good start .

Rog

OK, its "ask the expert" time.

What sort of time is a good starting point or is it just a case of lots of experimenting? I did try to increase the exposure time but anything over 30 seconds ended up with very washed out images. Would the detail still be in the image but need processing to see it?

Andy.

[CELESCOPE]

Hmmm should not be the case Andy , so ok try 1600 iso at 30 secs this way you will get a lot more data to play with , also may have to look at some type of filter to allow longer exposures , Whats the LP like where u are

Rog

[AndyM]

There is no light pollution as long as I close the curtains and stop the kids opening the front door!

Andy.

[geppetto]

Was the sky moon lit when you took the images Andy?

Might be worth another go with longer exposures on a non moon night..

[AndyM]

:oops: Yes, that'll be the problem. Forgot the moon is a source of light pollution as well as a target.

Andy.

[MartinB]

Nice clear shot of m42 with m43 starting to show as well. Nice one Andy