First try with M42 and PI

[JamieInCLT]

After struggling with what ended up being not enough data (thanks pfile), I at least got through an image that is decent (for me, any way).

I am looking for any steps that I might have missed, or would be better than what I used. 

Tech details- about 56 frames, ranging from 3 to 30s each.  Celestron CPC-HD @ f/10, nikon d90 @ iso200 iso100(not on purpose).

Process overview:

• Remove images with trails, etc.
• Register all images together
• Integrate the 30 images with time greater than 20s (windsor sigma, low=4, high=2)
• Integrate the 26 images with time less than 20s (windsor sigma, low=4, high=2)
• HDR Composition of the longer and shorter bundles
• Auto BG extraction
• Dynamic Crop
• Histogram Transformation (now non-linear)
• ACDNR
• Color Calibration (I still don't get this)
• Unsharpen Mask
• Curves Boost the saturation

I still have a lot to learn about PI, but after using the trial I can't see how I could get by with anything else (especially since I use a Mac)

So- what should I have done sooner (or later)?  What should I have done instead, or what did i miss?  Thanks!

[Lex]

Hi,

I think your second try is fine, better than mine!
If you want to avoid to clip faint nebula details i think you should be less restrictive in your background neutralisation. Personally i prefer the dbe tool rather than the auto one.
Try to obtain more layers with hdr wavelets.
Try to get rid of the greenish touch with scnr tool.
Try a heavyier lift of the saturation boost to focus on the core of M42.

This would be the steps that i personally would give a try!

Btw it is a nice result!

[JamieInCLT]

I uploaded a new revision to astrobin



I swapped out the ABE with the DBE, and it is a little nicer.  I forgot about the scnr, so I did that too.

I found out that I actually took these at iso100, not 200 which I thought, which explains why there isn't as much data as I would have thought.

[Nocturnal]

If you'd like to show the sequence of processes that you used you can also right click on the image, choose 'load history explorer' and take a screenshot of that. This looks really nice but my method is a lot easier

[Lex]

Hi,

I think your second try is way nicer than the first one!
As you said there is perhaps not enough signal to represent a detailed image...

@ Sander: Indeed your way is really easier, thanks for this info; newer tried that