Archive 2013 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

Todd
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

What's up everyone? While I was out at Big Bend Nat'l Park, I took advantage of the dark skies and took a few photos. I pretty impressed and proud of this image of M31. I've read that some photographers mentioned that the Nikon 500mm f/8 reflex mirror lens was lousy for photography and astrophotography. I think not! I used the Nikon 50mm f/8 lens (newer version) to get this image with my D800.

I used my AstroTrac with no auto guider, just as is and got this nicely exposed image of M31. My ISO setting was 2000 and my exposure time (single exposure) was 8 minutes. Amazingly, I did not get any star trails during this exposure, especially at that magnification and with a 36.3mp camera. My camera was pretty well balanced on the astrotrac and my polar alignment was most likely spot on. The image was taken at 12:17 am and the transparency of the night sky was 5/5. There is some noise in the image, but it's not bad. I'll be happy to answer any questions...

Todd

M31

http://www.toddhargisphotography.com/Nature/Astrophotography/i-TtZxmjJ/0/XL/D800%20M31%20fix-XL.jpg

Sep 09, 2013 at 09:04 PM

camboman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

This is the best image I've ever seen from the Nikon 500/8 mirror! I suspect your technique had much to do with the result and it is brilliant. More, please.

Michael

Sep 09, 2013 at 09:10 PM

Todd
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

camboman wrote:
This is the best image I've ever seen from the Nikon 500/8 mirror! I suspect your technique had much to do with the result and it is brilliant. More, please.

Michael

Hey Michael, glad you like it. Here is one of M83 in Centaurus I took a while back, it is also an 8 minute exposure.

http://www.toddhargisphotography.com/Nature/Astrophotography/i-JsFmDMh/0/XL/D8E%20M83%2050%25-XL.jpg

Sep 09, 2013 at 09:32 PM

dgdg
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

excellent!
8 minutes is pretty amazing.
next time you can add a few extra frames along with some dark frames to reduce your noise.

Sep 10, 2013 at 11:38 AM

Justin Grimm
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

That is insane. Its so awesome what we can do these days with basic camera gear!

Sep 10, 2013 at 11:47 AM

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

That is very good for a mirror lens. I remember the old Nikon f/8 mirror lens was a real dog. Nice shootin'!

Chris

Sep 11, 2013 at 02:44 PM


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