Pedestal literal values for DSLR - application of pedestal

[astropixel]

I need some help with this one.

Pedestal - I have read all the posts about the application of a pedestal value when calibrating DSLR frames, but have to admit, I'm a little bit lost.

Is subtracting the bias from the dark sufficient to remove the pedestal?

Does the slight non-linearity of DSLR images mean that a pedestal value should always be applied to DSLR images?

To which images should pedestal be applied? Darks = yes. Flats and Lights = yes/no?

What is an appropriate pedestal literal value for DSLRs?

Thank you.

[pscammp]

<---- Wonders what a pedestal is anyway

 

[astropixel]

As I understand pedestal, it is a nominal value of 100 added to images in-camera to prevent negative image values. RAW DSLR images are slightly non-linear, hence the addition of the pedestal - it just ups the numbers.

The BatchPreprocessing script, from what I understand, subtracts the pedestal, whereas in manual preprocessing, a pedestal value, if any, should be applied specifically. The threads indicate a value of 15, which was derived experimentally.

The results obtained recently, manually preprocessing a new image set, were not as expected and I think it comes down to the application of pedestal. Interestingly, the BP script, which wasn't working for me, is now and the results are better. So I guess, pedestal is an important issue when processing manually - but what value?