Orion Nebular

by markm

First time taken from the Northern Hemisphere from the back garden. Just outside of Milton Keynes, light pollution bit of a problem. 25 images at 20 sec f8 iso1600worked on with Photoshop & Topaz Photo AI.
Uploaded05/10/2024 - 09:09
CategoryGeneral
Shutter Speed20 sec
Aperturef/8
ISO1600
Focal Length300mm
Views/Likes96/5

LennyBloke
Posted 05/10/2024 - 13:24 Link
Nicely done - it's a nice feeling when you produce an image from Orion
LennyBloke
Spad
Posted 06/10/2024 - 00:15 Link
Nice first try!

Some tips if I may.

1. Get a Bahtinov mask for focusing. A lot of the time, the infinity mark is wrong. Point it at a bright star. Zoom in on the star on live view. Then align the straight defraction spike in the centre of the two diagonals. Then you'll be focused.

2. Get a light pollution filter. Hoya and Cokin do good ones, Pig Iron ones are ok but a lot cheaper. Sometimes with camera lenses, a front filter can cause issues. Calibration images will help to mitigate that.

3. At f8, you could have doubled your exposure. Try opening your lens up. Then shoot. See how the CA is. If it's bad close a step or two. The basic rule of thumb is - longer exposure and more images equals better images (it's called data... the more the better. I did a 7hr shoot on 1 image!!)

4. Take calibration images if you feel like it. These will help massively. Easy to do.... 10 x Darks - these are shot at the same ISO, focus and same shutter speed as your light images. 20 x Bias - set your shutter speed to its fastest, keep same ISO and focus. Shoot these at the same time as your light images. You want the same temperature for them.15 x Flats - shoot these in daylight, put a white cloth, tissue or tissue paper over your lens. You want diffused light. You can do them at the same time, just make sure your light source is diffused and covers the full frame. Then set the camera to shutter proriry, same f stop, ISO and focus.

These will all help to get rid of noise, dust on lens and/or filters, and give it more definition. Note - your light images. You are best to leave a gap of half your shutter speed... so 60 secs, leave a 30 sec gap. This will allow your sensor to cool.

6. Get Siril.... it's a free sortware package for stacking, and stretching astro images. Rich at Deep Space Astro does some really good TUTORIALS.

7....

THIS IS A WARNING!

Astrophotography is addictive and bloody expensive!!!! I got into it 3 plus years ago. I flogged all kindsa gear, including 3 Pentax bodies, took out a bank loan, and conned me missus in to letting me abuse her credit card, and had countless PayPal Pay in 3 to get the kit i want.....

But once you get it right.... the results can be jaw dropping!

Oh.... one last thing.... you'll develop a deep seated hatred of weather forcasters.... the lying b@*%&#@s!
The Legendary Terry Pratchett once said:
At the beginning there was nothing... which exploded
Edited by Spad: 06/10/2024 - 00:34
markm
Posted 06/10/2024 - 09:04 Link
Thanks for the words of wisdom Spad I do have a Bahtinov mask but I mislaid it but have now found it so will give it a try. I am considering a 300mm prime lens.
KP Body K70 Body. Lens 18-135 55-300 50-200 17-70 USM 100mm Macro & Samyang 10mm

Photocrowd Page https://www.photocrowd.com/photographer-community/315427/
Edited by markm: 06/10/2024 - 09:07
Spad
Posted 06/10/2024 - 12:15 Link
Are you using a tracking system?
The Legendary Terry Pratchett once said:
At the beginning there was nothing... which exploded
markm
Posted 06/10/2024 - 13:25 Link
Pentax Astrotracer with O-GPS1 KP with 55-300 zoom lens @ 300mm.
KP Body K70 Body. Lens 18-135 55-300 50-200 17-70 USM 100mm Macro & Samyang 10mm

Photocrowd Page https://www.photocrowd.com/photographer-community/315427/
Spad
Posted 06/10/2024 - 13:55 Link
Ahhh.... I tried an Astrotracer, I did not like it. It was to limited for what I wanted to do.

Also you wont be able to leave gaps between shots. The sensor can only move so far....
The Legendary Terry Pratchett once said:
At the beginning there was nothing... which exploded
Edited by Spad: 06/10/2024 - 14:00

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