Help needed - Night Sky Photography
Aug 2, 2022 13:05:35 #
Aug 2, 2022 15:39:06 #
cjc2 wrote:
I have been a photographer for a long time, but I've never done any night sky photography, except for fireworks. Would someone with experience discuss lens choice? Milky way? Northern lights? Thanks in advance.
Nearly all of my Milky Way photography is done between 14mm and 28mm full frame equivalent. A fast zoom will work, faster primes will work better. The best lenses for night sky have very little coma distortion. Usually, a fast prime should be stopped down a bit.
One critical aspect is to set focus on your lens. You want a lens that has mechanical focus (not electronic), in order to pre-focus during the day and tape it down so it doesn't shift at night. Beyond that, there are tools that help focus at night on the stars. Those are recommended if the temperature falls significantly at night (because focus can shift).
If you are shooting during the pre-dawn hours, be aware that condensation can be a problem. Once your lens gets cold, as the air warms condensation will form on the lens. The solution is a battery powered lens warmer. These are inexpensive and easy to get. Most people shoot post-sunset, temperatures are usually falling, and condensation is not an issue.
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