M81/M82 should I be masking the core out prior to HDRMT?

[STAstro]

Hi All

I remember this time last year having major problems processing M81/M82 but that was with my 8.3mpx CCD images with a C80ED, now I am using a faster focal ratio and a 20mpx camera, I am having a challenge using HDRMT as it keeps blowing out the core, so should I be masking out the core early on in the processing cycle?

Regards
Simon

[John_Gill]

Hi,

I use HDRMT quite late in the workflow.  With HDRMT  my setting are 8-10 layers, Iterations 1, and enable "To lightness" and "Lightness mask".  I also apply a "range_mask - star_mask" that I created with Pixel math.

Look up
John

[STAstro]

Thanks John

I generally use HDRMT as the first step after the image becomes "Non-Linear", but just can't seem to get it to work here, I'll try your suggestion on the "Range_Mask - Star_Mask" PixelMath and see what happens

Simon

[dpaul]

Hi Simon,

Just my opion but the second picture looks great with more detail in the core.

David

[STAstro]

Can't seem to get it right, but it's not PixInsight, it's my exposures are too long, they're clipping the whites, so I need to opt for shorter subs, I am afer all imaging at F4