Will star trail photography affect sensor?

Gaz J

Gaz J

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This may be a really stupid question but I don't mind making a fool of myself.

This winter I plan to do quite a bit of star trail photography. I've only messed about up to know trying out various bits of advice that I've picked up on here.

Will there be any long term impact on the sensor from taking hundreds if not thousands of long exposure frames?
 
Gaz J said:
This may be a really stupid question but I don't mind making a fool of myself.

This winter I plan to do quite a bit of star trail photography. I've only messed about up to know trying out various bits of advice that I've picked up on here.

Will there be any long term impact on the sensor from taking hundreds if not thousands of long exposure frames?
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No, well not if your going down the stacked route...in theory going down single 30+ minute exposures could cause an issue from over heating but conditions with light pollution really make stacked route the only viable option in the UK....now shooting loads of 30 second exposures will be no issue :thumbs:

Trust me I've done a few :lol:
 
Thanks Matthew. I was hoping that you would come along and set my mind at ease. It'll be 30sec exposures and stack as you said.
 
Gaz J said:
Thanks Matthew. I was hoping that you would come along and set my mind at ease. It'll be 30sec exposures and stack as you said.
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No worries, you really need not worry :thumbs: I suspect I've done well over 150,000 exposures between 30-90 seconds :eek: I have done up to a 40 minute exposure once :D
 
Another maybe stupid question - what is the difference in terms of sensor overheating between say 30min single exposure and 60 consecutive 30sec exposures?
 
m142857 said:
Another maybe stupid question - what is the difference in terms of sensor overheating between say 30min single exposure and 60 consecutive 30sec exposures?
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In terms of time spent exposing odiously very little but there is about a half second delay I've found between the one exposure ending and the next starting this allows the sensor a little bit of down time :thumbs: let me just clarify I'm talking from personal experience rather then any concerted research or testing
 
Most modern dslr's also have a sensor temp failsafe so it will disengage when necessary. I tried a 45 min exposure on a 5d2 last year (was in the brecons) and nothing was affected. The only sensors that I have seen that die are the cmos versions found in the Meade sky cameras (went through 3 until I noticed some astro buffs were using peltier coolers to aid the overheating!)
Im other words, nothing to worry about, Matt especially would have lost sensors by now surely!
 
Give me a shout next time you're heading out fella, will show you the ropes :)
 
Hi Drew

I'll do that. Pretty much want to go round the county doing the landmarks and looking for some that haven't been done yet. Have messed about a bit but always willing to take advice.

Busy next couple of weeks but should have some free time beginning of November. Will be in touch. Enjoy.

Gaz
 
30 secondss and stack is the way I do it too...

I use the program at startrails.de to do mine. :)
 
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