Which progran can I use to check my light frames?

[AstroManDan]

I need to check my flat frames are ok. Which is the best program to use to check them? And what am I looking for?

do I need to look for avg pixel size? histogram in the middle? etc?

Thanks

Daniel

[Jannis]

What exactly do you need to check? And more important, what are you going to use the pictures for/do with the pictures?

I personally use DSS, and it simply refuses to for example stack pics with star-trails as it doesn't recognise them as stars.

If you only want to check for star trails/vibrations and so, simply open the picture, and look at any of the stars at 100% resolution. If it's a small dot, it's good. And if you've been shooting in RAW, then you don't need to worry about white balance either.

Histogram shuold be (in my opinion at least) at least at 1/4 from the left, personally i prefer up to 1/3. Gives you more data to work with in the normally very dark areas.

[Psychobilly]

if you click on the pics that you have loaded into DSS in the "list" they will be "pre-viewed" on screen .

You can then decide if they should be included in the stack or not (checked) .. If a frame is really bad I normally use the delete from disk option..

Billy...

[AstroManDan]

Sorry, I meant flat frames, not light frames - what am I talking about!

[Psychobilly]

Your going to want soemthing that you can really push the brightness and contrast on to see any structure in the flats... and possibly give you the "values" fromthe cursor position. You would noramlly expect the corners to be darker than the center but that depends on the optical setup and sensor size...... and a few dust bunnies..

this may sound daft...

But by stacking a flat (as a light frame) with the same flat (as a flat) should result in a uniform intensity image probably with noise but no gradients...... DSS wouldnt allow you to use the same file as a light and a flat - I could have copied and renamed the file but just used another flat from the same sequence instead...

Billy...

[AstroManDan]

Thanks for the reply.

I set up my SLR on Av mode to take a number of flats using an EL light panel, then used Maxim to average them.

Have you got any more tips when it comes to getting the best flat frame?

[Psychobilly]

Sorry I can't help with calibration frames in Maxim as I dont use it.

I am sure soemone else who uses it will be along to help...

Billy...