Messier 106

This is my attempt at Messier 106 using a modded Canon EOS 1000D. I still have tracking issues for more than a minute, it's balanced, but still has a problem with wide stars. I think I will need to grease it somehow or other. So, this was ISO 1600 at 60 seconds. I have light pollution here.

Nice capture . Scope or lens were you using and what device for tracking ?

Thank you. This is a Canon 1000D on a Skywatcher 150P (750mm focal length) on the EQ3 with steel legs tripod and a single axis RA motor drive. The telescope is balanced on both axis, so I can loosen both handles and it doesn't sway. By the way, is it better to lock the handles when taking photos, or to leave it unlocked? I haven't noticed any difference. Thanks.

I remembered your advice about not making the background completely black, hence why I made sure that it's dark, but not black.

naddieuk wrote in post #18604426
I have light pollution here.

Well, it is messier, isn't it? (sorry! )

naddieuk wrote in post #18604737
Thank you. This is a Canon 1000D on a Skywatcher 150P (750mm focal length) on the EQ3 with steel legs tripod and a single axis RA motor drive. The telescope is balanced on both axis, so I can loosen both handles and it doesn't sway. By the way, is it better to lock the handles when taking photos, or to leave it unlocked? I haven't noticed any difference. Thanks.

I remembered your advice about not making the background completely black, hence why I made sure that it's dark, but not black.

On a single axis mount you still need to make sure your polar alignment Is the best you can get it . Your adjusting the R.A. with a star as close to the ecliptic line as possible , within 5-degs either side and as close to zenith as possible . When you have this set then you need to unlock axis and rotate scope toward the eastern horizon and find a star about 20-30 degs above the horizon and you adjust the altitude of the scope . Even tho your setting circles maybe set to your altitude it only gets it close but not close enough . For me I take 30-45 mins doing P.A. manually this way . If your mount is not a GoTo with star align then you should be doing the same thing . If your mount is not P.A. properly you are going to have trails without a doubt . Your image looks good to me above so your not far at all from a good P.A. You just need about 50 more of those same images to stack to get more detail . Some nights when I imaged I might only image one object so I can concentrate on a better image with lots' of data .

For the dimness of your objects and not getting much data then yes your correct not to over darken your BG cause it covers up detail too much and you don't want to clip your black point in PP . Clipping ruins an image .

Thank you. I will try it out when I have clear skies.