I received my new Stellarvue Access 80 ED yesterday. Luckily it was also a clear night! I set the scope up on my AZ-GTI in EQ mode and shot 1 minute subs. I probably could have went a little longer as the mount was tracking GREAT, I only had to reset it for the meridian flip.

So far, I am really liking the scope. I am using The Stellarvue SFF3-25-48 field flattener, but I still see pretty bad coma around the edges using a full frame DSLR. with a slight crop they are gone though.

Specs for the image are:

Scope: Stellarvue Acess 80 with 2.5" focuser, SFF3-25-48 field flattener
Focal Length: 560mm
Focal Ratio: F7
Camera: Pentax K-1
ISO: 1600
Exposure: 60 sec.
Shots: 100

I used Astro Pixel Processor for stacking. I am still learning the ropes with this program, so I am sure I am not doing things 100% correctly yet. I post processed in Photoshop and also in Nik Effects plugin.

Here is the photo.

[Ash]

It’s so perfect it looks like an illustration for a book. Well done! Thanks for sharing.

[FenderGirl]

This is breathtaking! I would not have known you're a beginner.

[GeoJerry]

This one is really remarkable! Is it the true color or have you applied a filter to bring out details?
The technical info is interesting but way out of my comfort zone... what, for example, is a meridian flip? A sub? A field flattener?
A great effort, hats off for investing in the equipment and learning all of this!

[Colorado CJ]

Thanks everyone. Here is a thread on my latest Andromeda, it is MUCH better than this one:

A New Year's Andromeda - PentaxForums.com

And the photo itself:

[Derek]

Well done! Amazing results.
This is a project of mine for this summer.

[Ash]

Again, stunning, brilliant and so much clarity. Thanks for sharing it.

[dLSK]

I've been a loooooooong time member at Cloudy Nights and I must say, after the short amount of time you've been at it, I would put your work right on par with some of the best I've seen. It's awesome that Pentax now makes a digital camera that is actually really good for astrophotography.
I'm still only sporting a K7 and, any time I've attempted anything other than milkyway / star scape / northern lights, I just can't get past the noise conundrum lol.

[normhead]

Awesome.

[pixie]

Impressive, your technique brings wonderful results. Can't wait to see more from you.

[Storm Chaser]

Beyond awesome! I am going to try some deep space astrophotography at some point, do some MW wide shots stuff now. Looking at buying a StarGuider for tracking but will have to wait on astro lens down the road. Just really looking and learning at this point will have to use what I have for now. Have you ever used Sequator software or DSS, Sequator seems to be smoother to get threw from what I've seen? Thanks Brian

[mroeder75]

This is so cool! I think in decades to come we will get close ups of planets from other solar systems from satellite telescopes. That is to say camera technology will continue to develop.