You don't need a telescope

Cool moon shot, gabebalazs! I like the details...and wow: 1200 mm...I have only tried at 200mm but 200mm, even on a crop body is not enough...Could you please share the name of the program you are using for the stacking process?

proletsearch wrote in post #13895849
Cool moon shot, gabebalazs! I like the details...and wow: 1200 mm...I have only tried at 200mm but 200mm, even on a crop body is not enough...Could you please share the name of the program you are using for the stacking process?

I don't believe he used any software for stacking. What he stacked were two 2x Tele-Converters to achieve the focal length he got.

But if you want software for stacking astronomy images you can try Deep Sky Stacker.
http://deepskystacker.​free.fr/english/index.​html

Or for lunar and planetary images you can try Registax.
http://www.astronomie.​be/registax/

You can also check out wxAstrocapture.
http://arnholm.org …/software/wxAst​roCapture/

If you have Photoshop you can stack with that as well. If you have Photoshop CS5 Extended you can use Smart Object Stack Modes.

Todd, Tony and Tim. Thanks for the feedback. I love the tips and will put them to good use as soon as these clouds get out of here.

B

Just a couple of shots from the back garden when it was briefly clear last night.

Didn't quite nail the focus I don't think and there is a little smearing of cloud. Next time it is clear I will be taking a drive away from the city (fairly close to London and a few big towns) and stack some shots.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/60843428@N05/6​890370441/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/60843428@N05/6​890370089/

tkerr wrote in post #13858838
Typically a good starting figure for shutter speed before trailing will be noticeable is to divide 500 by the lens focal length. Or if you're using a Full Frame Camera try 600 by the focal length. It's not perfect but it will get you close.
For Example with the 8-16mm Sigma @ 8mm on a camera with an APS-C crop sensor you can go as long as 62 seconds
With the other lens at 17mm you can only go as long as about 30 seconds.

how did you come up with the 500 or 600 divided by focal length figures? I'm just curious as i still don't know much about this.

I'm going to try this evening if its a little warmer to get out with the 7d and either the 17-50 or the 8-16 or both.

i got a really perfect view of orion and a few of the planets (cant remember if its mars of venus).

tkerr wrote in post #13896314
I don't believe he used any software for stacking. What he stacked were two 2x Tele-Converters to achieve the focal length he got.

But if you want software for stacking astronomy images you can try Deep Sky Stacker.
http://deepskystacker.​free.fr/english/index.​html

Or for lunar and planetary images you can try Registax.
http://www.astronomie.​be/registax/

You can also check out wxAstrocapture.
http://arnholm.org …/software/wxAst​roCapture/

If you have Photoshop you can stack with that as well. If you have Photoshop CS5 Extended you can use Smart Object Stack Modes.

Thank you for the detailed information. Very helpful!

After a few years of visual astronomy, I thought I'd have a go at a picture! I had to limit myself to lots of 2 second exposures as the 200 2.8 showed up star trails soon after, and apart form not quite nailing focus I'm reasonably happy with this!

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I also got some more shots

M31 Andromeda Galaxy

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/asa7or/69091755​73/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/asa7or/69097356​37/

Nice work, Saiph!

Hi there

Been on these forums about a week, some really awesome photos.

Really liked all your astrophotography so took a bash myself. Lots of improvemnet needed of course but I'm pleased with my first efforts.

Orion

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VisualUniverse wrote in post #13934038
Nice work, Saiph!

Thanks for that feedback

@Todd, Very nice picture...that scenery is awesome ! Though the exposure time seems a tick too long for the stars

Thanks, yes.. I went a bit too long, it was so dark out there, I couldn't get the exposure I wanted and I was pointing south, so of course I should have been even less.. 8-(

Sirius, Orion, and Taurus with trees (and airplane )
17-40mm L at 17mm, 5 seconds exposure at ISO 6400

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