Help with 'star-scapes'

Darthchaffinch

Darthchaffinch

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Have been trying to get some decent star shots, but having no luck what so ever- despite doing some research on the web.

Mine are too poorly exposed for stars, and then too noisy; e.g.:



This was 13 secs
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 1600

Any advice appreciated! :bang:
Thanks
 
thanks Dave- interesting as most of the guides I've read say shoot wide open!

Ah- I don't want to shoot trails- just static stars!
 
ISO 100 and f/11 is too restrictive to capture light from faint stars. A lot of the problem in the image you have posted is the light pollution from the town, which makes the stars more difficult to see.

Normally 13 secs at ISO1600 and f/5 should be enough to capture more than you have there, and moving to somewhere that is a lot darker would show that to be the case. Even so, I would try opening the aperture a bit wider if it is capable of doing so.
 
Given the proximity of your shot to a town, I think you have done fairly well. The light pollution will make it difficult.

As you want stars, rather than star trails you will need to keep the exposure fairly short to prevent the trailing.

The 600 rule is good for estimating the maximum exposure you can use before trailing occurs.

Max exposure (s) = 600/ by the effective focal length of the lens.

Effective focal length is the 35mm equivalent of the lens used, so if you are using an 18mm lens on a camera with a crop factor of 1.5 the effective focal length is 27mm, which gives a maximum exposure of about 22s.

The maximum varies with latitude and I do not know which latitude this rule was devised for, but it is a starting point.

However, as already said, you need a less light polluted location, but I appreciate a foreground can add some interest.

This was taken in NW Scotland(so was able to expose for a little longer) with an 18mm (effective 27mm) lens for 30s.

Dave

Orion2.jpg
 
I was looking to do something similar and although I've not yet got round to it, I found this http://www.seanesopenko.ca/2010/06/diy-scotch-mount/.
Further searching on flickr advises that foreground would need to be PP'd, as it would also move. It's for star fields, rather than lanscapes that include stars.
It's called either a Haig mount or Scotch (Haig was a Scot :) ) mount. It should allow longer exposure times without trails and looks pretty easy to build, if you're DIY inclined!
*Edit: This is a better site, I was in a rush, sos!
http://www.philharrington.net/scotch.htm
 
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Also google for barn door tracker.... Same thing but there's loads of DIY guides
 
[/QUOTE] This was taken in NW Scotland(so was able to expose for a little longer) with an 18mm (effective 27mm) lens for 30s.

Dave

[/QUOTE]

this pic is stunning but I don't understand how u didn't get star trails as everytime I shoot over 20 sec I get trails?.
 
Actually I didn't, it was a very un-prepared photo. Camera is sitting on the car roof and I didn't have my remote/timer :lol: nothing else was used, very basic.

Thanks, the exif should be on the Flickr if you want to check it.
 
Thanks, Billy.

I think it is right on the limit, if not just over it, for trailing, but being further north helps.

The PP brought out more stars. I was worried that the PP had created them so ran the photo past folks on an Astronomy forum who reckoned they were ok.


Dave
 
Splog said:
Higher res..????
Click to expand...
Tringa's image is 1000x660 with no link to a bigger one, but lucky_13 is probably viewing their own image full size. Resizing will mask short trails.

It seemed rude to mention pixel-peeping :)
 
PhotoPanicUK said:
Nice Picture, allthough is that a car to the bottom right, its slightly distracting IMO. I inspired to give this a go.
Click to expand...

It was that dark where I was, I couldnt see the car through the camera, even though it was only a few feet away :bonk:

Only noticed that when I put it on the pc at home. :lol:
 
I'd love to try taking star pictures :) Anyone know how to turn off Blackpool:D
 
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