Night sky shooting / Milky Way

[jinky]

Anyone done much of this? I`ve set myself to have a go. I`ve joined a free class on Facebook page of Kristine Rose Photography on shooting the Milky Way. Given that the nearest dark sky is further than I should travel from Leeds I guess I`ll get the theory now and shoot when I can but looks interesting if anyone wants to join / look in. She`s done two intro talks now to build her audience and first practical session is Thursday 4th March at midnight in the UK. She does leave a recording of it on Facebook for those not able to stay up like me. 

[Jediboy]

Sounds interesting.
I'm fascinsted by night time photography and the results can be stunning.
I have dabbled but there is quite a bit of light pollution where I live and I don't really have the opportunity to travel. That said, I have been quite pleased with some of the results.
Q
I particularly like star trails. Again I have had mediocre results and it takes a long time to get what you need to get good results.

I have just used Google to get hints and tips but something like this sounds great.

Please let us know how you get on.

[Oldboy]

It can be expensive to buy the tools for shooting night sky including a motorised tripod head, as the Earth moves on its axis you need to follow it to get sharp images. You also need a camera remote release to avoid any camera shake. A lens of F2.8 or less which needs to be set at F22 or greater. And know the rule of 500 or 600. This lets you work out the best speed setting for you shutter release. If you have shot fireworks at night it would give you some experience of shooting at slow shutter speeds. Like any shooting event to get the best from it you must enjoy it. So, standing outside at one o'clock in the morning with frost on the ground doesn't put you off, go for it. Also, remember to let your camera and lens adjust to the outside conditions before taking any photos. 

[anglefire]

I have shot the Milky Way a few times including in panaca in the states. 
Oldboy, you shoot wide open and not stopped down.

[jinky]

I have shot the Milky Way a few times including in panaca in the states. 
Oldboy, you shoot wide open and not stopped down.

Yes that's the counter intuitive technique evidently. Its to keep shutter speed lower to restrict star movement Oldboy.

[anglefire]

A friend of mine does lots of Astro stuff.  Did one of the jellyfish nebular last week.  Total of 5hours exposure - split into several minute individual shots.
But he has got a permanently mounted tracking telescope with guidance and all sorts. Not cheap!

[anglefire]

This is the one I took in the states. I had borrowed my BIL's 16-35mm f2.8 - this was @ f2.8 ISO4000 and 20 seconds @ 16mm - not tracked.

[Hinfrance]

Fabulous image Mark - but it does demonstrate that you do need a pretty fast and wide lens to get the best out of pointing your camera at the sky.

A few years ago Pentax sold a GPS enabled model that tilted the sensor to track the sky for astrophotography - I never got one, too rich for my pocket, but I wonder if there are any on eBay . . I'll shall have to do a bit of research.

[Hinfrance]

That was quick - apparently there is an add on for my old K5 - an O-GPS1 that has a feature called Astrotracer. £150 plus import tax, so nearer £250 if I can't find a camera shop that sells them. Worth thinking about . .

[Hinfrance]

Found a retailer here in France that has them in stock for €210, so now on my shopping list. According to the reviews it will take an exposure of up to 5 minutes tracking the sky so everything is pin sharp. Also in the reviews it says it takes a fair bit of setting up to get it to work properly. I'm quite keen to have a go

[Jediboy]

This is the one I took in the states. I had borrowed my BIL's 16-35mm f2.8 - this was @ f2.8 ISO4000 and 20 seconds @ 16mm - not tracked.

Stunning photo!

[Jediboy]

Found a retailer here in France that has them in stock for €210, so now on my shopping list. According to the reviews it will take an exposure of up to 5 minutes tracking the sky so everything is pin sharp. Also in the reviews it says it takes a fair bit of setting up to get it to work properly. I'm quite keen to have a go

Treat yourself H. It's getting me thinking!

[anglefire]

Thanks Howard and Chris - it was amazing to see - it was funny because my friend I was with had never seen the milky way - and came out of the digs (We were really tired as we had been up for about 24hours) he asked where it was - and I just pointed up and said "there" - he was like "WOW"

We then took a short drive to this location - where it was dark. Really dark - I don't even remember seeing the lights of the town at the time - but think it was several miles away.

[jinky]

Well I reckon I`ve got most of the theory and idea of settings I need. Only problem is we`ve had so much wind, rain and cloud that I haven`t seen a star in weeks! Seems like it`s a 3.30 am shooting job and I have to travel  about 17 miles to my nearest suitable dark sky site. Hoping to catch some action next week and try again on my first short trip planned to the Yorkshire Moors in mid April.

[anglefire]

The picture above was taken about here: 37.771823373890186, -114.42578567420833 - and about 100miles from Las Vegas as the crow flies - which is what I think the lights are from.

Proper dark sky's in the UK are very hard to come by - and if you have one only 17miles away you are really lucky!