M42 - 300% enlargement - 50mm F1.8

While this is not what you would call outstanding by comparison to

images taken of M42 with telescopes, this image was taken with a

$100 Nikon 50mm F1.8 lens from my back yard.

 

THis is a 300% enlargement of the original image, but it just goes

to show that anyone wanting to try Astrophotograpy on nebulas like

M42 can do so with a cheap standard lens.

 

Details:

 

ISO 800 ... 4 second shutter @ F2 ... standard tripod and mirror up

with delayed shutter release.

 

Sky ... some light polution and a bright Moon only 30% away.

 

Location ... my suburban back yard, 19th Feb 2008 at 10.15pm

 

While there is some star trailing, imagine what the results would be

if this shot was taken from a dark sky location.

I forgot to add that im amazed M43 (just below M42) was resolved with some detail.

 

Also, this is a single image (it is not a multiple stacked composite) ... the only PS adjustments were LEVELS and a small amount of colour saturation.

 

Other than that its basicaly right out of the camera!

lol .. thanks for all the threes, and with no comment. Normally you lot dont phase me at all, but the problem with you using your 'auto rate' is you dont bother to spend 1 second reading why an image has been produced the way it is, like this one.

 

I would have thought the image may have captured your interest, or, curiosity enough to read the initial post, but no, you just click away without any thought.

 

In this case, this image is not showing my skill, or lack of it, its showing what is, or could be, possible using the most basic of gear and an everyday 'non tracking' camera tripod. Its for those who would love to try this type of photography but dont venture into it for other reasons, but maybe if they give this approach a try ... who knows where it will lead them.

 

Im unsure if this image was shot under a dark sky, and, several images were stacked, what that result would be ... but thats up to those who may take this further, those who think or belive that you MUST have a $2000 tracking mount with a $1500 scope or a $3000 fast lens to achive anything other than the Moon or star fields can now maybe try something else with a $100 lens they can also use for every day photography.

 

Shame on you all ... lol

I like your endevour.

 

but i do feel that you are being way too ambitious at this point.

 

ps.....its going to take a lot more equipment to get a stella photo if you no what i mean.....:)

 

cheers.

 

Ps, the best photos are allways close to home: hint.

 

cheers

I layered 4 adjusted images together in PS and this is what started to come out. ... lol ... I think its facinating that a 50mm lens could do this to something that is 1500+ light years away!

lol ... G'day Clive

 

I know what you mean, and I understand your hint :)

 

And while I know this will never compaire to some of the incredible images taken, I do feel that for those who dream of being able to capture even just a hint of a Nebula could give this a go and see where it leads them.

 

Some already have the bug but feel they don not have, or, can afford anything to even try. Regardless of quality one can still say ... "I took this and its 1500 light years away ... its called the Orion Nebula"

 

Maybe I am being too ambitious, but this is just a 'test and see whats possibe' image :)

Can I just say this:

 

You (sir) Tony, Is a man i wanna meet.

 

I find it hard enough to perfect the perfect Splash, yet alone the Anomolys of Space!

 

LOL

Well Clive, ive been an avid astronomer for many many years, but all my equipment and interests have been in the visual observations, especially Planets. Deep space, including Nebula, have always facinated me and they provide stunning images to the aided eye, but alas they are all in grayscale as we humans cannot resolve the colours.

 

Astrophotograpy was always something that was a little out of reach for me, very complicated and hit and miss ... but this was in the Film Days ... now im Digital ... lol

 

I love taking pitures of everything, but I also have a very diversive soul :)

lol :)

 

I can tell you this Clive, tomorrow i pick up a t-mount to couple my D200 to my 4 inch planetary refractor. While its designed for detailed viewing of planets (its a long focal ratio for high magnification work) im going to see what i can come up with on some guided long exposures (but my mount, while a very good one, only havs one axis motor drive as i didnt need two for visual observation when i bought it some 10 years ago)

 

So watch this space ... lol ... if you dont see anything, then you know I failed :)

my score (as we might agree) is a rough giude only.

 

My Score to the Nebulla M42 is a 3/7.

 

aethetics.........is such

originallity......is COOL.

 

good luck with the rest of your future work..:)

 

 

lol .. You are a true gentleman, Clive :) thank you.

Tony, see! This is what I was thinking. Even with a wide angle lens (like the image you first commented on) I was thrilled that the red glow of ionized hydrogen could clearly be seen in a backyard digital photo. Photos like this are exciting because they communicate some of the thrill of stargazing if only people would slow down, turn off their TV and go outside and look around. Maybe your next experiment: find Andromeda M31 and see what you can do with it? :)

Thank you :)

 

 

Kurt, we that are far south of the equator doent get to see Andromeda :( we only see a very small portion of the constallation very low on the hoizon.

 

So sad ...

 

But, you lot dont get to see 'eta carina' and other wonderfull sights :)

 

Sorry, couldnt resist.

 

Yes, grab a star book and get out side, look up, get a pair of binoculars ... just have a look around. In reality people have lost touch with the heavens, I dont think many could give you the names of more than 3 constalations these days. ... very sad.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing, I was excited to see this. I have a 4.5 inch reflector scope, and a Canon rebel xt, and two lenses, one of them being a 50mm, I have "played" a little with astrophotography, but I feel like I dont have the equiptment to do any real astrophotography, (sigh), I have not tried the 50mm lens for astrophotography yet, but I am going to, for now, until I can geta really awesome lens and a better telescope,( I want a Big Dobsonian,because they are such a good value for the cost.) I just got my first dslr, in January, but the reason I bought it, is because I was inspired by astrophotography. Of course I enjoy taking photos of everbody and everything also. I just like taking pictures. Anyhow, your photo inspired me, and I am going to try to photograph some Nebulae myself, which I have not tried before because I didnt think I could. So your photo served its purpose for me. Thank you for posting your photo.

 

I agree with the comments above, people need to get outside at night. For example, last night during the Lunar eclipse, not only did I get a spectacular show, from the moon alone, because it was so dark, I saw a good number of meteors, more than some of the Meteor showers that I have watched in the past. What could be better than that???

( Especially if you are just watching T.v. Anyway!)

 

Tony, maybe I have helped spread the corruption :)

Kurt ... 2 words come to mind, Bugger and Bastard ... lol ... but really this is the best form of corruption :)

Christa :) ...thank you!

 

This is why i posted this, if i can do it with a 50mm F1.8 then ANYONE can :)

 

While this image in no way shape or form compaires to those incredible images we admire so much, it was not the intent to do so, it was in a way i guess to give hope and insperation to take the step with very inexpencive gear, and still be able to say .. .'I took that'

 

You have given me a smile that will last for days :) I look forward to seeing your results, and, I'll send you an email with some other details.

 

P.s. The person below your post (Kurt Nielsen)is the man responsible for me doing this. I too had not bothered with Astrophotography, even though im an avid astronomer, because i thought i didnt have the right grear, and in the film days it was just to hard for me.

 

His photo of the entire Orion constalation that even shows nebulocity in M42! was taken with a 24mm lens. Well worth a look!