Once in a lifetime shot
Sep 23, 2011 23:35:16 #
O.K. There you are,Looking up in the sky and Wham..The NASA satelite is steaking across the sky, what is your best possible lens you can use and not distroy this once in a lifetime shot??Is there a setting that you would preset that would insure the "perfect shot"....Just wondering
Sep 24, 2011 10:14:37 #
Easy one,
Sigma 200-500 2.8, you should keep one around just in case...
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-200-500mm-Ultra-Telephoto-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B0013DAPNU
Don't forget to read the reviews :-)
Gordon
Sigma 200-500 2.8, you should keep one around just in case...
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-200-500mm-Ultra-Telephoto-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B0013DAPNU
Don't forget to read the reviews :-)
Gordon
Sep 24, 2011 12:39:48 #
I'm not sure just what you want to capture. If it's a satellite filling your frame, I can't help you there.
However, to capture the satellite streaking across the sky, you don't need much. I took both of the attached photos with the stock 18-55 lens that came with my Canon 20D. They are both 30 second exposures with the camera on a tripod. I found that any longer exposures create streaks out of the stars (they start to become egg shaped). Of course I had my camera on bulb. I don't remember exactly what my ISO was (200 or 400), but I always set up my equipment a few minutes before the arrival of the satellite, then I take a few test exposures and adjust my settings.
The first shot is of our local community observatory. The streak is the international space station which is moving through the handle of the big dipper.
The second shot is of the Stardust Space capsule reentering the earth's atmosphere and streaking across the sky where it parachuted to a landing in Utah. There was a nearly full moon this night. I added the outlines of the constellations w/names because at the observatory we are always asked to show the visitors their different shapes.
However, to capture the satellite streaking across the sky, you don't need much. I took both of the attached photos with the stock 18-55 lens that came with my Canon 20D. They are both 30 second exposures with the camera on a tripod. I found that any longer exposures create streaks out of the stars (they start to become egg shaped). Of course I had my camera on bulb. I don't remember exactly what my ISO was (200 or 400), but I always set up my equipment a few minutes before the arrival of the satellite, then I take a few test exposures and adjust my settings.
The first shot is of our local community observatory. The streak is the international space station which is moving through the handle of the big dipper.
The second shot is of the Stardust Space capsule reentering the earth's atmosphere and streaking across the sky where it parachuted to a landing in Utah. There was a nearly full moon this night. I added the outlines of the constellations w/names because at the observatory we are always asked to show the visitors their different shapes.
ISS over community observatory
Re-entry of the Stardust Space capsule
Sep 24, 2011 13:35:31 #
Sep 26, 2011 15:18:04 #
dasboat wrote:
O.K. There you are,Looking up in the sky and Wham..The NASA satelite is steaking across the sky, what is your best possible lens you can use and not distroy this once in a lifetime shot??Is there a setting that you would preset that would insure the "perfect shot"....Just wondering
Use your built-in 1080P video recording ability with image stabilization on, and follow it across the sky, zooming as close as possible as it goes. Cut a still shot out of the video later. That way you'll get a constant stream of data for the whole time it's visible to choose from instead of hoping for less than one second of time well captured in a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Sep 26, 2011 15:24:02 #
I like that idea of the video shot...I am going to try that soon. Thanks for the great suggestion.
Sep 26, 2011 16:00:44 #
Jeffrey John wrote:
I like that idea of the video shot...I am going to try that soon. Thanks for the great suggestion.
That's always my view of a once in a lifetime moment. 10 minutes of a once in a lifetime moment in 1080P is better than a still shot anytime if documenting the event is your goal.
Sep 26, 2011 19:09:31 #
Hijack alert!
Has anyone got any shots of an iridium flare?
Lots of fun to watch and very satisfying to capture on "film"!
Gordon
:-D
Has anyone got any shots of an iridium flare?
Lots of fun to watch and very satisfying to capture on "film"!
Gordon
:-D
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