REQ - Steps for Lagoon Nebula Stacking Software with Canon T2i + Tamron 300mm + tripo

[mhulak]

REQ - Steps for Lagoon Nebula Stacking Software with Canon T2i + Tamron 300mm + tripod

I have tried working with the application, but I am still not getting good results. What format should I use? RAW or JPEG?

Application Deep Sky Stacker 3.3.2
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1) Take the following pics as explained:
----Open Picture Files (Light frames) - the compilation of photos using same settings (nebula or galaxy etc)(5-XXX pics)
----Dark Files - cover the lens and take a few pics - the exposure time, temperature and ISO speed of the light frames (5-10 pics). take at end or during your imaging session
----Dark Flat Files - same as above ?? Needed?
----Offset/Bias Files - 1/4000s or 1/8000s and cover lens (5-10 pics)
----Flat Files - Put a white shirt over lens (5-10 pics) speed of the Light Frames

2) Check All

3) Register Checked Pictures

4) Lost


I can do the attached image, but I want to do more

[somecdnguy]

Use RAW always, Jpeg is too compressed and you lose a lot of data. DSS is only really the first step, to get really good pictures you have to the stacked image into photoshop or other imaging program and do most of the work in there.

[kevin sydney]

If u don't have photoshop,download GIMP.It's not as good,but has a lot of the same features and is "free".
Nice pic!
KLU
Kev

[admin]

Hey there
Can you post screenshots where you get lost?

The final image may look white - you can adjust the levels so you finally see something and or export the TIFF to photoshop or GIMP as Kev mentioned

From there you can adjust brightness, contrast, levels and more.

let us know where you are at.

[jenniferchristine]

forget flat and bias - just do darksand lights
Do flats if you have vignetting - which on wide screen shots you don't.

As soon as it finishes, save as a 16bit tif and process in gimp or photoshop

[mhulak]

ok... so darks and lights in raw format.... register...

i use corel draw x5 and well skilled in it.

it is a clear day and the night should good for more testing.

i will try andromeda tonight i think using the scope and camera attached.

i know align polaris then point the scope to andromeda. take my light pics then darks,

the tracker 2x 4x 8x seems very slow to move

[mhulak]

thx for the advice. I think I got it figured out. I have had a few days to absorb the replies and I think I am good. Tonight is the first clear night in a while so I wasn't able to test the suggestions. I went to the shop and bought a scope to align Polaris better. I am hyped about getting out tonight.

[ScubaDude]

Here is a good basic DSS tutorial.