My stacking in DSS is improving - M13, Hercules Cluster
Aug 20, 2015 01:05:45 #
Took my Tokina 300mm F2.8 lens out tonight and shot M13, Hercules Cluster. I have been reading/watching various tutorials and have made adjustments to my settings. I shot 21 images tonight and stacked them with DSS. Then I cropped a bit to better bring out the star cluster.
A couple differences in my procedure tonight were:
1) I did not use dark frames - some advice I read was that if you let the camera remove noise after each shot, there is not much to be gained by doing the dark frames. So I tried it.
2) There is a setting that downsizes the image producing super pixels based on the information in 4 pixels which also greatly reduces noise. By 6000 x 4000 pixel image became about 3000 by 2000.
Each image was just 2 sec as I didn't want star trails.
The sky is quite dark, but I didn't do much darkening. It came out of DSS this way.
I am posting three images:
1) An original, unprocessed.
2) The final result.
3) An export from Starry Night to compare with.
Lately, I have just been shooting with a camera lens. I get up early for work, and it only makes sense to set up the big scope if I can spend a lot of time with it. But getting up at 5AM makes that unrealistic. So I have been seeing what I can get from the camera lenses.
A couple differences in my procedure tonight were:
1) I did not use dark frames - some advice I read was that if you let the camera remove noise after each shot, there is not much to be gained by doing the dark frames. So I tried it.
2) There is a setting that downsizes the image producing super pixels based on the information in 4 pixels which also greatly reduces noise. By 6000 x 4000 pixel image became about 3000 by 2000.
Each image was just 2 sec as I didn't want star trails.
The sky is quite dark, but I didn't do much darkening. It came out of DSS this way.
I am posting three images:
1) An original, unprocessed.
2) The final result.
3) An export from Starry Night to compare with.
Lately, I have just been shooting with a camera lens. I get up early for work, and it only makes sense to set up the big scope if I can spend a lot of time with it. But getting up at 5AM makes that unrealistic. So I have been seeing what I can get from the camera lenses.
One of the originals - unprocessed
(Download)
After stacking
(Download)
StarryNight export
(Download)
Decided picture #2 was too yellow, so cut back on it a bit
(Download)
Aug 20, 2015 02:28:01 #
Jim - You have just touched on why many, (most ), people never seem to become sufficiently interested in astronomy in order to spend the sizable sum necessary to "do" astro-photography!
I spent many years reading about astronomy, grinding mirrors and building Newtonian reflectors, and even buying a couple of pretty decent "go-to" scopes, but I think the main thing that always caused my interest to "wane", was the simple fact that most of what I was interested in, was only "available" when 90% of people are "home in bed, sound asleep", and that the "great viewing conditions" are only available on certain "favorable nights" at some "far off" site, (usually several thousand miles from where I always seemed to be! )
(I can however think of quite a few things I could "have a ball" doing with that 300 mm Tokina f2.8 that you mentioned! )
I spent many years reading about astronomy, grinding mirrors and building Newtonian reflectors, and even buying a couple of pretty decent "go-to" scopes, but I think the main thing that always caused my interest to "wane", was the simple fact that most of what I was interested in, was only "available" when 90% of people are "home in bed, sound asleep", and that the "great viewing conditions" are only available on certain "favorable nights" at some "far off" site, (usually several thousand miles from where I always seemed to be! )
(I can however think of quite a few things I could "have a ball" doing with that 300 mm Tokina f2.8 that you mentioned! )
Aug 20, 2015 12:42:22 #
Jim, nice shots with the smaller lens.
I agree, its nice to be able to grab and get something using an easy to setup system.
I have a small 5" SCT that I can grab and go with that works well for me in a pinch or when I don't want to haul out the beast system.
The important thing is to find the time to shoot and enjoy what you get.
I am receiving a Tamtron 150-600mm that I am looking forward to pushing its limits and is the main reason I bought it. I'll keep everyone posted on that front.
Keep up the great work.
I agree, its nice to be able to grab and get something using an easy to setup system.
I have a small 5" SCT that I can grab and go with that works well for me in a pinch or when I don't want to haul out the beast system.
The important thing is to find the time to shoot and enjoy what you get.
I am receiving a Tamtron 150-600mm that I am looking forward to pushing its limits and is the main reason I bought it. I'll keep everyone posted on that front.
Keep up the great work.
Aug 21, 2015 16:50:16 #
JimH123 wrote:
Took my Tokina 300mm F2.8 lens out tonight and sho... (show quote)
Great job of stacking Jim I like the final the best of course.
I plan on shooting ISS tonight using my Tamron 150-600mm w/ 2x Teleconverter mounted on the Nikon D800E.
Craig
Aug 22, 2015 02:57:01 #
Gitzo wrote:
Jim - You have just touched on why many, (most ), ... (show quote)
Yes, that 300mm F2.8 is rather fun to use. Not exactly light weight! But it really pulls in the light.
Aug 22, 2015 03:17:33 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
Jim, nice shots with the smaller lens. br I agree... (show quote)
You said Tamtron again....
:shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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