Astronomy

[Sigarms]

Cameras sure have come along way since my old Nikon FM series SLR.

Taken with my boys idiot proof camera he got for last Christmas

 

[Yamaha2112]

It's truly amazing what DSLRs can do nowadays - even awesome video. What camera/ lens? That looks GREAT!

They even make tracking accessories for just cameras now - no telescope needed for really impressive (different types, but still nice) photos: Vixen Polarie Star Tracker astrphotography mount

Cameras sure have come along way since my old Nikon FM series SLR.

Taken with my boys idiot proof camera he got for last Christmas

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Geez. Just a couple of years ago that mount thingy was about $299 or $250 (can't remember). I should have bought one when I had the chance.

 

[Yamaha2112]

Lots of light pollution? Solar scope . The "real" ones that can see flares and the surface of the sun are pretty pricy though: Lunt LS5THa 5mm Pressure Tuned H-alpha Telescope - Lunt Solar Systems

That's the "entry level" one at about $900. So many toys, so little cash.

 

[Yamaha2112]

I need to research atmospheric pollution because my skies are pretty dark, but can't see some things others are seeing. Interesting stuff.

Light pollution is bad but atmospheric pollution makes it even worse.

I remember camping up in Sierra Nevada about 35 years ago ... we were up around 8,000 feet ... the Milky Way was incredible ...

 

[Sigarms]

It's truly amazing what DSLRs can do nowadays - even awesome video. What camera/ lens? That looks GREAT!

Canon PowerShot SX6 HS review - CNET

My boy doens't believe me that when I was into photography, we had to have a notebook to keep track of shutter and aperature settings, THEN develope the film and THEN compare the picture to the info we had on the image.

 

[Yamaha2112]

Canon PowerShot SX6 HS review - CNET

My boy doens't believe me that when I was into photography, we had to have a notebook to keep track of shutter and aperature settings, THEN develope the film and THEN compare the picture to the info we had on the image.

There's something to be said about doing it the "old" way. Any Ansel Adams photo pretty much shuts down the argument of digital being far superior to film. It's a true art.



Having said that, your camera is an absolute bargain considering the results. Very nice image!

 

[Sigarms]

There's something to be said about doing it the "old" way. Any Ansel Adams photo pretty much shuts down the argument of digital being far superior to film. It's a true art.

View attachment 514567

Having said that, your camera is an absolute bargain considering the results. Very nice image!

Agreed about Mr. Adams.

The only money I've ever spent on photography (pictures) was on this guy...

Tom Till Photography

I use to spend a lot of time Utah. I could never come close.

Took my girlfriend (now wife) along with my dad on a trip out there (when I decided this was the right woman). Hope to get our boys out there, but... I've already told my wife I can't wait for the boys to grown up so we can go on vacation by ourselves LOL

 

[ning]

Anyone into telescopes/ solar scopes?
Farms are great for such a hobby.

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1st photo = M42 Orion Nebula - Vixen VMC110L/ T-Mount Pentax K-01 (a tad blurry, but did pull nice color)
2nd = Last lunar eclipse "artsy" style / same equipment

Best I can do with average equipment and amateur knowledge - but very fun.

Great color!
If you've got a remote, use it - otherwise, try using the self-timer; that way when you hit the trigger, the camera's shaking will die down before the shutter fires.
The 3-second timer should be enough, if it's got one of those; 10 seconds is forever when standing in the (possibly cold) dark waiting for a camera to shoot!

What exposure settings did you use (f/aperture, s/shutter, iso, white balance)?

 

[Yamaha2112]

I actually don't remember technical details. Was my one of my 1st attempts. I finally got a remote so I can try less shakey ones. I need to learn to learn how to use Registax next: RegiStax- Free image processing software . Ive seen incredible results using that program, but appears pretty complicated. My scope is pretty much a spotting scope so I can use only for brighter DSOs.

Great color!
If you've got a remote, use it - otherwise, try using the self-timer; that way when you hit the trigger, the camera's shaking will die down before the shutter fires.
The 3-second timer should be enough, if it's got one of those; 10 seconds is forever when standing in the (possibly cold) dark waiting for a camera to shoot!

What exposure settings did you use (f/aperture, s/shutter, iso, white balance)?

The camera itself is AMAZING. It's basically a mirrorless K5. I just need to learn how to use it properly. Ive been putting off opening the manual.

Worst part is my tracking mount died so I can't open the shutter for very long and am just using a standard tripod now.

 

[ning]

I actually don't remember technical details. Was my one of my 1st attempts. I finally got a remote so I can try less shakey ones. I need to learn to learn how to use Registax next: RegiStax- Free image processing software . Ive seen incredible results using that program, but appears pretty complicated. My scope is pretty much a spotting scope so I can use only for brighter DSOs.

The camera itself is AMAZING. It's basically a mirrorless K5. I just need to learn how to use it properly. Ive been putting off opening the manual.

Worst part is my tracking mount died so I can't open the shutter for very long with a standard tripod.

In general, you can follow the "500 rule" to avoid celestial motion showing up on a picture: compute ((500 seconds) divided by (focal length in mm)).
Eg, if you're using a 24mm lens, 500/24 ~= 21 seconds maximum exposure (long enough for tons of stars to show up at reasonable ISO).
Eg2, if you're using a 200mm lens, 500/200 = 2.5 seconds maximum exposure (not very long unfortunately).
Some people use 600 instead; YMMV.

Adjust for equivalence (I believe your crop factor is about 1.5, so if you've got an actual 24mm lens, it will behave like a 36mm lens for the 500 rule computation).