Lagoon Nebula and so much more with added road map.

[JBW]

I'm beginning to feel the need of more magnification. There is a building urge to get up close and personal with Deep Space.

Not sure which path I will take. Do I stick with DSLR and buy a monster lens? Do I move into telescopes? Time will tell.

ISO 3200 ~ Shutter Speed 3.2s ~ F/3.2 ~ @40 Colored ~ 50 Darks ~ 50 Bias ~ Stacked In DSS ~ PP Capture I Sony Pro & Gimp ~ Sony Alpha a58 ~ Tamron 90mm 272E



And now the road map with thanks to Stellarium'. I know it's not to scale. The big pink in Stellarium is the bright blue in my shot.

[Wavelength]

You are going more scientific!! Well done!!!

[JBW]

You are going more scientific!! Well done!!!

I suppose I am

[Stagecoach]

Very good Brian. I can see it's becoming adictive

I have rattled off a few tonight, some nice nebulas, but I'm starting to become disapointed that when I look up at the sky I can clearly see the main stars and recognise them but once photographed and ppd they seem to get lost in the mass of others

[Shadowman]

If you follow the astrophotography forums most will tell you that all you need is a DSLR with a 35mm lens and then there are those who'll show case captures using DSLR/telescope images. I think you should push to the limits the equipment you have and upgrade only when you've found some particular celestial system unattainable by your curtain gear.

[JBW]

If you follow the astrophotography forums most will tell you that all you need is a DSLR with a 35mm lens and then there are those who'll show case captures using DSLR/telescope images. I think you should push to the limits the equipment you have and upgrade only when you've found some particular celestial system unattainable by your curtain gear.

Agreed. In at least one area that has already happened. My tripod and my finger. With my Slik U8000 pan and tilt I cannot add much more weight neither can I do much better for tracking.

Next week my new Slik tripod will arrive with an ability to mount heavier gear. To compensate for my lack of manual dexterity a wired or wireless shutter release will come with it.

My 90mm Tamron is an excellent lens and I am going to enjoy seeing what I can capture of M42 with it.

If I stay with straight DSLR (which is very likely) in time I will need a a spotting scope and a head that will support both camera and scope. The Skywatcher is a likely addition at that point. Then would come the new lens.

I will be treating this part of my photography journey as I have what has come before. Learn to use what I have before buying new gear.

[JBW]

Very good Brian. I can see it's becoming adictive

I have rattled off a few tonight, some nice nebulas, but I'm starting to become disapointed that when I look up at the sky I can clearly see the main stars and recognise them but once photographed and ppd they seem to get lost in the mass of others

I certainly became addicted to visual observing when M'Lady was working on her doctoral. There are very few things that I enjoy as much as exploring the heavens. Observing plus photography is heady stuff indeed. Though today i spotted a new Leafhopper but it was not in a place that I could photograph it.

Some people (not me...yet) have found ways to beautifully enhance (with star like enhancements) the main stars in their shots.

You could also simply temporarily adjust the exposure/brightness till only the main stars are visible. Then play with the settings until you get just the right amount of accent?

But be careful, as you realize this quickly becomes addictive.