Thanks Craig; I appreciate the advice and the pics are very nice. Did you use your mirror lock-up? Sure you did. But my camera is a DSLT, and the mirror does not move. I lose approx 20% of my light because it is redirected to the EVF. I was hoping someone out there with a Sony SLT camera had tried it; if it is a futile effort due to the pellicle mirror then I should just bring my DSLR backup camera. (also a Sony) I was also looking for advice regarding Sony's noise reduction engine because I hear that it is rather "aggressive" compared to other brands. I guess I am just lazy and don't want to spend a lot of time experimenting in the dark when I can stand on the shoulders of others and learn from their successes and failures. I am led to believe that this is not laziness, but wisdom if your ventures work out.

Oh, and the light house I chose is a working light house, but I don't plan on shooting the Milky Way on a night that the light house would be functioning.

Thanks again,
Mike

I have recently been asked to do a couple of astro shots, so I have been studying the subject. I don't have a "nice" wide angle lens, just the 18-55mm kit lens.

I am using a Sony sltA37; I know that the pellicle mirror lowers the low light performance of the SLT line of cameras, so I was wondering if anyone on UHH has used an SLT for astrophotography, and how the results were.

I plan on using the Milky Way for a backdrop for a lighthouse, and also shooting the lunar eclipse next month at the Dark Sky Park. If you use a Sony and have any advice specific to Sony cameras, I sure would love to hear from you.

I also have the a390, and if you think this would be better suited, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike
The Frozen Hermit