7 Sisters of the Pleiades: My first photograph of the famed 7 Sisters of the Pleiades. Been waiting all summer for this shot. I love all the different types of stars in the formation.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

My first photograph of the famed 7 Sisters of the Pleiades. Been waiting all summer for this shot. I love all the different types of stars in the formation. Again red,white blue and yellow
D600
28-300mm @ 300mm
ISO 25600
1 sec.
f/5.6
Craig

7 Sisters of the Pleiades

(Download)

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Let me post this again and see if the colors come out better.
I'll have one with my 1000mm lens tonight that should come out better

Once more

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

Not bad! You'll need some sort of tracking with that 1,000 mm lens, though. Even a little trailing visible with the 300..

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

dlmorris wrote:

Not bad! You'll need some sort of tracking with that 1,000 mm lens, though. Even a little trailing visible with the 300..

Yes, I have a Celestron Nexstar Tripod and drive Unit that I have modified with a bracket to hold the 1000mm Lens and Nikon D600 Camera
I plan on using ISO 100, fixed f/9 and Bulb starting at 5 min and go from there. What are your thoughts on the settings I should use???
Thanks for your input.
Craig

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

I'd probably up the ISO a bit, and start with some shorter exposures. Otherwise, *film is cheap*!, and the only thing you have to loose is a bit of time! but to gain, a lot of knowledge and experience! With longer exposures like you are thinking, you may want to try some in camera noise reduction......unless you have software to do that later. Especially if it is warmer, the camera can get quite noisy. But mostly, just have fun!
You may find that that 300mm is enough. I haven't tried it myself yet. A wider F stop may be an advantage if you can go there, though conventional wisdom suggests closing it a stop or two for better sharpness....

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

dlmorris wrote:

I'd probably up the ISO a bit, and start with some... (show quote)

Thank you dlmorris I do have a fixed f/9 on the 1000mm but I have f/5.6 to f/22 on the 28-300 so I'll give it a go with both lenses.
I think the 28-300 has a little flare at high mm's and heavy cropping. I don't know about the 1000mm yet. This will be my first go with it.
As soon as I get a fogless night again. I live on the California coast. Fall and winter are my best seeing.
Craig

twowindsbear

Try this:

Raise your ISO until you get noise, the back off enough to cancel the noise.

Then, lengthen your exposures until the 'star trails' are extensive - again, shorten the exposure just a bit.

Good luck!

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

twowindsbear wrote:

Try this:

Raise your ISO until you get noise, the back off enough to cancel the noise.

Then, lengthen your exposures until the 'star trails' are extensive - again, shorten the exposure just a bit.

Good luck!

I like your process I'll give it a go.
Thank you twowindsbear
Craig

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

Camera lenses don't always work so well on stars. They are very demanding targets, so don't feel bad if perhaps your telescope does a better job, especially if it is some sort of APO, or mirror type. On the other hand, I'm having a blast taking wide field images with my camera lenses, and the average person can relate to them easier also. Again, the main thing is to just have fun!

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

dlmorris wrote:

Camera lenses don't always work so well on stars. They are very demanding targets, so don't feel bad if perhaps your telescope does a better job, especially if it is some sort of APO, or mirror type. On the other hand, I'm having a blast taking wide field images with my camera lenses, and the average person can relate to them easier also. Again, the main thing is to just have fun!

Yes I do find wide angle shots a lot of fun and easier. Here's one I took at 8200 ft.
If anyone has star shot Please Post here.
Craig

17mm f/2.8 ISO 6400 15 sec

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

That's super!

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

dlmorris wrote:

That's super!

Thank you DLMorris
Craig

bullfrogs Loc: Chico, Calif.

Here is a lunar eclipse in 2013. I was 30 miles from the centerline of the eclipse. The first photo across the top is the first contact and so on to the right to completion.
bullfrogs

The fifth photo is almost centered as you can see. This was taken through my New EOS with the kit 300 mm lense and a solar filter.

(Download)

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

bullfrogs wrote:

Here is a lunar eclipse in 2013. I was 30 miles from the centerline of the eclipse. The first photo across the top is the first contact and so on to the right to completion.
bullfrogs

Hi Bullfrogs
Look forward to seeing you shots of the October eclipse! I too am going to give it a go.
Craig

bullfrogs Loc: Chico, Calif.

Craig yur Milky Way is wonderful for sure. Well done and composed. The only thing wrong that I can see is it is not a 16x24 on the wall. Beautiful work for sure
bullfrogs