Posts Made By: Larry Durst

Looks amazing on my Thinkpad! Great image.
Larry

Floyd,
Here's my take on flats (far from expert advice, mind you!):

I do not always take them due to the time imvolved. I will certainly take them if my subs are showing lots of nasty dust artifacts--you just can't get rid of those through software it seems. But then I'll feel that I'm just trying to make up for not keeping all my surfaces clean, a real worthwhile activity.

But if the issue is either vignetting or a true gradient (the kind that invades from one side or corner and progressively thins out) I am finding that software solutions are really quite good. This makes me feel much less lazy about not having spent the extra time at the end of the evening (which I would have to do since I set up each time).

My favorite software for this is PixInsight. But I know it can be done if AstroArt, PS and others I'm sure.

When I do shoot flats, it's still iffy how effective they'll be--I never can seem to hit upon one standard background count that works every time. I find it's safer to go underexposed than over or you risk a "reverse" flattening effect.

I have not found that applying biases or darks to the flats made a worthwhile difference, and I never shoot darks now for my lights (I guess an advantage of SX cameras, and I also find that PixInsight has good noise-reduction routines.) Probably just being lazy here, too!

Sorry for the ramble, and I hope this is at least a bit of what you were looking for.

Keep up the good work,
Larry

Wow, you really stretched your arms wide to catch all that in one grab! A stunning view that really shows the enormity of it all.
Larry

Joe,
That is quite stunning. The colors are excellent!
Larry

Floyd,
Nice rig, but what I really envy is that treeless horizon. Quite different than my backyard!
Larry

Well, these are always fun threads. But I definitely am in the camp that you really do have to know what your budget is first, then determine the right camera for you within that amount. Even just a couple of years from when I started, the choices in both size and companies has mushroomed.

One thing to consider very strongly, however, is the support you'll get from both the company and the user community of the camera. You will definitely have questions and concerns and confusion no matter which camera you go with, and getting quick answers can make the differnce in imaging or losing a few rare good nights. I can't say enough positive things about both on the Starlight Xpress side. But I can only imagine that's just as true of others, and not so true of some. So hang around the Yahoo groups of SX, SBIG, Atik, Meade, and those dedicated to DSLRs for a while. Ask a few questions there, and just get a sense for where you like hanging out.
Hope this makes some sense,
Larry

Great shot, Bob. How were the skies out there?
Larry

Jim,
Another fine image and, as always, your colors are rich and stunning.
Larry

Hi Floyd,
I use AstroArt (still version 3, haven't sprung for the upgrade). I initially chose it over Maxim due to the price difference between the two. And I am very, very happy with it (better than the SX software and from what little I've tried the Meade software, much, much easier.) It's also a great processing and postprocessing tool. For postprocessing I have gravitated to PixInsight (it's free, so far), but AstroArt is really worth every penny. Outside of no "curves" which I do find essential, it's very much a do-it-all application. Can't compare it to Maxim as I've never tried it.
Larry

Duane,
Excellent first. Welcome to the universe of DSOs!
Larry