Greetings All,
I have mostly poste on the CCD Deep Sky forum, but I have recently tried to do some work with a DSLR for astrophotography. I have enjoyed the process. My first target was simple - M3. I was using a Canon XT (350D) unmodified. I didn't have a bulb cable yet so I was limited to 30 second exposures. I used my C8 at about f/7.5 (Celestron 0.63 reducer at short distance). The somewhat slow optic and 30 second exposures did limit the signal somewhat - but I did get an image out of it. BTW, also my first experience using PHD guiding. The image can be seen at:
http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/DSLR/m3.htm
(Click on the image for a full resolution view)
Scope - C8 at f/7.5
Camera - Canon Rebel XT (350D)
G11/Gemini
Guiding - Megrez II at 1350 mm FL, DSI Pro, PHD Guiding
For a comparison, I have an image from 2005 with my Artemis285. The irony is that this image was also first light on the Artemis:
http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/m3.htm
I do plan on getting a cable for longer bulb exposure and likely will do the spectrum enhancement mod. Any tips on the mod would be greatly appreciated. Any tips on the processing are appreciated as well.
I am attaching a Low Rez image but full rez and exposure / processing details are on the links.
I have mostly poste on the CCD Deep Sky forum, but I have recently tried to do some work with a DSLR for astrophotography. I have enjoyed the process. My first target was simple - M3. I was using a Canon XT (350D) unmodified. I didn't have a bulb cable yet so I was limited to 30 second exposures. I used my C8 at about f/7.5 (Celestron 0.63 reducer at short distance). The somewhat slow optic and 30 second exposures did limit the signal somewhat - but I did get an image out of it. BTW, also my first experience using PHD guiding. The image can be seen at:
http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/DSLR/m3.htm
(Click on the image for a full resolution view)
Scope - C8 at f/7.5
Camera - Canon Rebel XT (350D)
G11/Gemini
Guiding - Megrez II at 1350 mm FL, DSI Pro, PHD Guiding
For a comparison, I have an image from 2005 with my Artemis285. The irony is that this image was also first light on the Artemis:
http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/m3.htm
I do plan on getting a cable for longer bulb exposure and likely will do the spectrum enhancement mod. Any tips on the mod would be greatly appreciated. Any tips on the processing are appreciated as well.
I am attaching a Low Rez image but full rez and exposure / processing details are on the links.
Attached Image:
Jim Thommes
Mak-Newt 152 mm
C8
Megrez II APO
Zenithstar 66 mm APO
G11/Gemini
ST8300M
Artemis285 Camera
Canon 350D DSLR
http://jthommes.com/Astro/
