nikonshooter wrote:
Gear for deep space: Vixen ED81s, either AVX GEM or iOptron ZEQ25, either Nikon 800e modded (Spencers modded and added a heat reduction system) Orion Starshoot guide camera. I also image with an Atik383L CCD camera - lots of advantages over DSLR. But lately I have been using DSLR for everything - files size are so bloody huge and processing time for registering and calibrating is typically 5 hours. Cut to one hour for CCD camera.
For solar - planetary Celestron SCT 8 inch, AVX GEM, ASI120MC
Gear for deep space: Vixen ED81s, either AVX GEM... (
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I use PixInsight to do most of my processing.
1) First I reg and calibrate using script - Batch Processing - load files, run diagnostics, and run
2) Load image when step 1 is complete and run a linear stretch to see if I have something to work with. If yes then
3) Dynamic Crop
4) DBE (extract background)
5) Color calibration - I use the entire image for white and create a preview pane for a part of the background that has zero data, other than noise.
6) Histogram stretch - typically I do this 6 to 10 times.....moving the sliders just a tad each time to avoid clipping ANYTHING. This is my goto stretch, if the image has loads of nuisance stars.....I will use Mask Stretch and manage the feinter stars.
7) Curves - first an RGB cures (I do this 5 plus times) then I do a "saturation" curve for color. Usually only once.
9)Save as tiff and load in Photoshop.
In PS, I use Nik plugin - Vivasa to color fix parts of the image
If DBE didn't remove the gradient to my liking or if my background has blotchingness, I will add a gradient in PS to fix.
If I have little or no noise I am done. When using the DSLR, my ISO is usually 1600 or 3200 and 120 sec exposures introduce very little noise. I always have noise with the CCD camera and I will use Topas plugin, DeNoise to improve on that.
I usually take 100 flats the morning after a shoot with a T-shirt covering the scope. I am careful NOT to change any focus or camera movement from the prior night of shooting. I take 30 darks, 30 bias, and 60 to 100 subs. I use the histogram to determine exposure but normally 60, 90, or 120 second exposures for DSO's.
Software, other than PixInsight, PS CC, Nik and Topax I use BackYard EOS for Nikon to do my DSLR camera control and imaging.
I use APT (Astro Photography Tool) for CCD camera imaging and control.
I also use Astrotortilla for platesolving - multiple night exposures.
Lately I have not been guiding..but when I do I use PHD2. I really cannot tell a difference at 120 second exposures over a 3 hour period...not one that cannot be fixed in PixInsight. Not guiding saves a little time in setting up too.