I've just started using an XTi in place of my dead DSI. I downloaded DSS for image stacking since the DSI's software isn't designed to handle the huge images that come from dSLR. I was disappointed with my initial results though, and to double check whether it was DSS or something on my end going wrong (not enough integration time, subs too short, etc), I put DSS to work on some of my old DSI images. Lo and behold, DSS spat out results that were far noisier than what Meade's software gave on the same subs. I tried every changing every setting I could find (sigma kappa, average, etc), I made sure that DSI was set as the camera under the FITS file options menu, yet nothing significantly improved my results. Likewise, tweaking all these settings did nothing to improve the results of my initial dSLR tests, which were of M42 and the eskimo nebula. Admittedly I have very few light frames to work with, but stacking almost seemed to make things worse than the individual frames. And seeing how DSS butchered my previous DSI work didn't engender any confidence in the program. Out of desperation I just tried DSS Live and so far the results seem much better, even though it doesn't subtract dark frames. I figure it's because DSS Live is basically running on fixed "idiot-proof" settings (and lord knows I need idiot-proofing for anything I use). Does anyone here use DSS and know what settings the Live version is using? All I know is that it only uses regular averaging for stacking, but beyond that the settings are a mystery to me (and regular averaging isn't a magic bullet for me so far in the regular version). If anyone has any advice about what settings are best for regular DSS that'd be good to know as well. I'll post some comparison shots of what I've stacked with DSS Live versus DSS versus Meade Envisage later.

I'm new to this stuff and use a Canon Rebel XT. I downloaded 2 (3) free stacking programs. 1 DSS 2 Registax v4 and 2.5 or 3, Registax v3.

I stacked some images in Registax 4 and they came out nice, but I had some problems with the software. It's more advanced and has more options than either of the other two, but I think that it needs more memory and cpu that I have.

I stacked some images in DSS and ended up with a super noisy image. I didn't really try tinkering with settings much.

I then downloaded Registax v3 because I read on some guys site that he had better luck with 3 than with 4. Registax 3 works (for me) better, faster, easier than either of the other two programs.

You may want to try Registax v3
I downloaded the one at the top of the list.
http://www.astronomie.be/registax/html/download.html

I am coming to terms with a DSI II pro and have found that The Mead software is only good for fixing hot pixels, (haven't tried drizzle yet). Registax 4 has a bit of a learning curve but is producing much better stacks than Envisage. I can only imagine it would work even better with your new camera.

Though am not fussed, I also wonder if this thread might belong in the observing and equipment section.

Kind regards
Matt

My apologies if this is in the wrong forum, it seemed to me that observing and equipment was more for visual observing, but I guess I could be wrong about that. Anyway, I've used registax 4 for my lunar photography, I guess I could give it a shot for deep space stuff, but my understanding is that it's not capable of opening the 16bit raw files. I'll see how it does with the JPGs though.

You are correct, no go on the raw files, but works on .jpg.

Hi NGChunter,

I encountered issues with stacking in DSS as well, that is why I use "Nebulosity" now for my large DSLR files (Modified 20D) although Nebulosity cost about $45 its worth every penny, it has many combining options, including High res drizzle and its a lot faster than DSS.

__________________
Best Regards,
John Chumack
The Chumack Observatories
MPC 838 Dayton Research Station
MPC H66 Yellow Springs Research Station
www.galacticimages.com

Cool, I'll check that out. The price sounds right, my budget held me back from ImagesPlus. Is there a demo available?

Absolutly no apology required. I am still new enough here that I am nto sure of all the etiquite. Quite right about Registax I convert to BPM before stacking. Thanks to you I think its time for an upgrade to "Nebulosity".

Kind regards
Matt