after toying with the settings for a while this is the best I could do from your raw file:
DSLR used for astrophotography???
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
Last edited by metastable on Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
notice in my version you can see a lot more stars but also you can also see sensor noise... this is where an extremely sensitive sensor like the one on the sony a7s ii comes in very handy (you can eliminate the noise while also using much higher ISO settings)
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
Hi there,
I've read this with interest. I like to image widefield nightscapes with my old Nikon D90 and a 14mm Rokinon lens. All of my dollars went into the lens.. the camera was used, and about 125 bucks.
Notes -
This is a camera with no live view.
10 Mpixels
Manual focus
Single 30 second exposure
Processed for exposure and contrast only in Lightroom CC.
Thus is untracked, camera sits on a ball mount on a static (Vangard) tripod.
Why I'm showing you this is because its a great way to get into
Kind regards,
Ian
Fracs: Stellarvue 70T f6; SW 120mm Esprit f7; "Mark Mk. II" - 60 mm Tasco f6; C80 frac f 11.4
SCT: C8 Edge f10 or f7 with reducer
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Mounts - Ioptron Skyguider pro, Astro Physics GTO900
Cameras and lenses - ZWO 2600 mc, 290 mm mini, Canon 60D modded with Rokinon 10mm 2.8; Rokinon 135mm f2
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"Mothers! It is there!" - Rafael Gonzales-Acuna, 2018.
Fracs: Stellarvue 70T f6; SW 120mm Esprit f7; "Mark Mk. II" - 60 mm Tasco f6; C80 frac f 11.4
SCT: C8 Edge f10 or f7 with reducer
Dob: 14.5" homebuilt strut dob (f4.5 ZOC mirror), Nexus II, Moonlite focuser
Mounts - Ioptron Skyguider pro, Astro Physics GTO900
Cameras and lenses - ZWO 2600 mc, 290 mm mini, Canon 60D modded with Rokinon 10mm 2.8; Rokinon 135mm f2
Skysafari 6 Pro, Astro Pixel Processor, Pixinsight - using Mac tablet and ASIair pro to run the AP rig.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
metastable wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:10 am notice in my version you can see a lot more stars but also you can also see sensor noise... this is where an extremely sensitive sensor like the one on the sony a7s ii comes in very handy (you can eliminate the noise while also using much higher ISO settings)
Very helpful - thanks.
I've tried a few image editing programs and have been able to obtain "decent" results. I've been only using the raw file that I posted in Google Drive. Since I've no clue what I'm doing, all I end up doing is adjusting things until I feel the image shows more realistic detail. I read a tutorial by Allan Hall on
Stupid question - is there some "method" you use or a set of controls you use all the time - or is it dependent on the image you are working with? Also, how does on figure out what "things" to adjust during processing?
Here is my latest
The Skies Have It!
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
if you’re asking my opinion as a professional commercial photographer then each and every image needs different custom raw to jpg conversion settings - i can’t really articulate the method i use because it’s based on experience from editing 10’s of thousands of images, but it is based entirely on personal preference of aesthetics.lsintampa wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 6:30 pm Stupid question - is there some "method" you use or a set of controls you use all the time - or is it dependent on the image you are working with? Also, how does on figure out what "things" to adjust during processing?
Here is my latest GIMP (P&P) processed image:
20200120_1300.png
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
So I bombed again last night....
Two decent raw files - near Orion Nebula area:
Am I on the right track? IE - are things improving for me - or am I wasting my (and all your) time?
Best I could do with them:
Two decent raw files - near Orion Nebula area:
Am I on the right track? IE - are things improving for me - or am I wasting my (and all your) time?
Best I could do with them:
The Skies Have It!
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
Looks a little better but you are faced with a basic fact. The light pollution in you area is overwhelming the signal and there is very little you can do about it.
Tom
Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
there's a lot more noise in the second raw file than your previous shoot because your ISO is higher (4000). your widest aperture is apparently f4.5 and your exposure only 2 sec.... I recommend sticking with your f4.5 if thats your widest open aperture (smallest number), but since the aperture isn't f2.8 (you'd need a nicer lens to get this) try 20 seconds exposure (longer than ideal but compensating for non-ideal aperture ) and only 2000iso (to limit sensor noise). also it looks like the tripod may have moved during the exposure so turn on the timer function (so that it waits 10 seconds before it takes the picture) so you can back away from the camera while it stops shaking before it takes the picture.
Last edited by metastable on Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
this is the best i could do in lightroom (with the second raw file):
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
this is how it was "in camera" vs with my custom raw conversion settings:
finally run through https://nova.astrometry .net/upload :
finally run through https://nova.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
My tip.....keep at it!
I have an old Canon 350D with no live view and no tracking.
Astrophotography in my experience can be super frustrating to the point you may think it's just not worth your time and effort however it's a great hobby to learn.
I'm no expert at astrophotography but I'm slowly getting there I think. Here's my effort of the Orion nebula taken with my 200mm telephoto lens. I stacked 88 one second images in sequator and processed in photoshop (which I'm still only learning)
Stick with it.....you will one day nail a target that grabs you and that's when the addiction begins!
I have an old Canon 350D with no live view and no tracking.
Astrophotography in my experience can be super frustrating to the point you may think it's just not worth your time and effort however it's a great hobby to learn.
I'm no expert at astrophotography but I'm slowly getting there I think. Here's my effort of the Orion nebula taken with my 200mm telephoto lens. I stacked 88 one second images in sequator and processed in photoshop (which I'm still only learning)
Stick with it.....you will one day nail a target that grabs you and that's when the addiction begins!
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
This area i find isn't as dense as the other side of the milky way and light pollution will cripple signal pretty bad, usually need a few hours to stack.
you still might want to work on your focus ,i'm seeing airy disc shaped stars.
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
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cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
I've also read this thread with interest. Here's my tips as a fairly newish APer:
Abandon the use of jpgs, they're of little value, just record raw files in your camera, switch off jpg recording.
Get as many captures of the target as you can subject to time, sky movement constraints etc.
Put the lens cap on and capture the same number of darks at the same camera settings.
Leave the lens cap on and capture a rake of bias frames. (fastest shutter speed)
Stack the lot inDSS and save the output as a fits file.
Stretch the fits file with levels and curves inGimp . (watch some youtube videos)
Export as a png file and show it off.
Then as time goes on there's 100s of more steps to add! Bit by bit.
Good luck
Regards
Graeme
Abandon the use of jpgs, they're of little value, just record raw files in your camera, switch off jpg recording.
Get as many captures of the target as you can subject to time, sky movement constraints etc.
Put the lens cap on and capture the same number of darks at the same camera settings.
Leave the lens cap on and capture a rake of bias frames. (fastest shutter speed)
Stack the lot in
Stretch the fits file with levels and curves in
Export as a png file and show it off.
Then as time goes on there's 100s of more steps to add! Bit by bit.
Good luck
Regards
Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.
https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
Curious if you recall your ISO, and lensmaceemiller wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 7:17 am
I have an old Canon 350D with no live view and no tracking.
I'm no expert at astrophotography but I'm slowly getting there I think. Here's my effort of the Orion nebula taken with my 200mm telephoto lens. I stacked 88 one second images in sequator and processed in photoshop (which I'm still only learning)
The Skies Have It!
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
My ISO was 1600 and apature was f4.5.lsintampa wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 7:46 pmCurious if you recall your ISO, and lensmaceemiller wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 7:17 am
I have an old Canon 350D with no live view and no tracking.
I'm no expert at astrophotography but I'm slowly getting there I think. Here's my effort of the Orion nebula taken with my 200mm telephoto lens. I stacked 88 one second images in sequator and processed in photoshop (which I'm still only learning)
aperture were set at?
It's not a very good lens if I'm honest but it's good enough for me at the moment.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
yeah, you'd only want to bump the iso well above 1600 or 2000 to focus using live view (as someone mentioned in a different thread), and then bring it back down to something reasonable like 1600 or 2000... unless you have a super sensitive low noise sensor like that found on the sony a7s ii.... then you can bump up the iso absurdly high and use correspondingly lower exposure times (or smaller, cheaper, bigger # apertures) without worrying about too much added noise, but that will set you back about $2k for camera body alone if new, and you'll only get 12 megapixels.
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
russmax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:57 pm You only need the RA motor for tracking, but I only ever see them sold together.
“This Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive, with drive corrector capabilities, is designed for Celestron's CG-4 mounts for tracking in RA and allows adjustment in DEC. It precisely controls the telescope's tracking speed during long, timed exposures of celestial objects, producing the best possible image sharpness. Precision drive correctors are a must for those with a serious interest in astrophotography or CCD imaging.”
https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... rive-93522
So if I upgrade my
The Skies Have It!
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
lsintampa wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 2:01 amrussmax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:57 pm You only need the RA motor for tracking, but I only ever see them sold together.
“This Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive, with drive corrector capabilities, is designed for Celestron's CG-4 mounts for tracking in RA and allows adjustment in DEC. It precisely controls the telescope's tracking speed during long, timed exposures of celestial objects, producing the best possible image sharpness. Precision drive correctors are a must for those with a serious interest in astrophotography or CCD imaging.”
https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... rive-93522
So if I upgrade myCG -4 mount with the dual axis motors, can I mount the camera to thecg -4, say with a 200mm camera lens? I've read somewhere that the camera won't be aligned when mounted that way.
If you can find the reference, post it. It sounds wrong.
If the mount is polar aligned, anything driven while on the mount is also polar aligned. Perhaps the comment you read referred to
Joe
Amateur astronomer since 1978...................Web site : http://joe-cali.com/
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Re: DSLR used for astrophotography???
OzEclipse wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 3:16 amlsintampa wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 2:01 amrussmax wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:57 pm You only need the RA motor for tracking, but I only ever see them sold together.
“This Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive, with drive corrector capabilities, is designed for Celestron's CG-4 mounts for tracking in RA and allows adjustment in DEC. It precisely controls the telescope's tracking speed during long, timed exposures of celestial objects, producing the best possible image sharpness. Precision drive correctors are a must for those with a serious interest in astrophotography or CCD imaging.”
https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... rive-93522
So if I upgrade myCG -4 mount with the dual axis motors, can I mount the camera to thecg -4, say with a 200mm camera lens? I've read somewhere that the camera won't be aligned when mounted that way.
If you can find the reference, post it. It sounds wrong.
If the mount is polar aligned, anything driven while on the mount is also polar aligned. Perhaps the comment you read referred toGOTO alignment? I mount camera with 135, 200, 300mm telephoto lenses straight onto my Takahashi EM200, the mount is a clone of the Skywatcher EQ6. The principle is the same for a CG4. I do the polar alignment using APPS, Artificial Projected Pole Star alignment, then put a star dead centre of the field of the tele lens using full magnification live view and do a one star alignment in Sky Safari. From that point I have bothGOTO and precise polar alignment.
Joe
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/5030 ... -eq-mount/
This thread - see response 9
The Skies Have It!
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f/9.8, iOptron 150 MAK f/12, AVX Mount
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