Perkil8r Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 After many many many hours of faffing, swearing and being grumpy I've got to this: 15 frames stacked and poorly processed in Deep Sky Stacker. Total of 2mins 50secs at ISO 400. I'm not exactly thrilled by it, but it's better than I first feared. All lights, no darks. Figured out that automatic hot pixel detection was the reason for the frog spawn problem I was having initially so re did it with it turned off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Now I sort of know a tiny bit more about what I'm doing I will get more data and some darks. Focus seemed pretty much spot on but the stars seem quite "blobby" not sure how to stop that. Still for a first try I guess it could be worse. The moon was a pain and next door but one's outside light was on too, so I guess the flocking is working fairly well considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Keep on practicing you'll get the hang of it, Focus, focus & focus. Did you use a Bahtinov mask for focus? Good first attempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 No focusing aids, just snap, zoom, adjust, snap, zoom, adjust............ I really feel like I need a 1/10 dual speed focuser, the sweet spot is somwhere between too little and too much lol. It's DSS and my snail paced laptop that cause me the most headaches though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fluke Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I think its a brilliant effort. I'd be well chuffed if I were you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Great start down the slippery slope the dark side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Same stack, processed with a bit more care this time: Would be interested to hear any hints and tips on how to improve next time. I will be using more subs, equal amount of darks and so on. Also hopefully next time the moon won't be there nor the neighbours outside light! How is my focus? Is it out or is it down to tracking and processing that the stars in the trapezium blend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Very nice Mike - excelent first image I wouldn't know about the processing but you can upgrade your focuser for the Lacerta that Martyn demonstrated in the DIY section. I followed his instructions and it went on like a dream. Dual speed for £56 and not having to buy a whole new crayford is a bargain imho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Very nice Mike - excelent first image I wouldn't know about the processing but you can upgrade your focuser for the Lacerta that Martyn demonstrated in the DIY section. I followed his instructions and it went on like a dream. Dual speed for £56 and not having to buy a whole new crayford is a bargain imho I've been looking at those yes. I'm thinking I need a better solution than my laptop for processing too, it's painfully slow. Took 1 1/2 hrs to re load and process that shot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eddy Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Its amazing what difference the processing can make, 2nd shot is briliant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks, it certainly is a big improvement over the 1st attempt at processing it. If I get chance soon I'll get out and get plenty more data and have another go at it. I'm sure I learnt something from this one though, I just need to figure out what it was lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ibbo Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thats much better A little softer on the processing I guess M42 is a difficult object as its got such a range of brightness and contrast (like M31) They may be big and bright but there are easier objects The secret is keep at it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Just had another go at processing with PS Cs5 Extended: Is that any better or is it now too harsh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 No idea of it is too harsh or not but I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Looks like my early attempts. Nice to see the trapezium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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