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First attempt at star trails.
Mar 20, 2018 21:07:45   #
Tom K 66
 
I have a Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 - 50mm f2.8 lens. I would like to attempt star trails and would appreciate recommendations for starting points. I was thinking of ISO 800, f2.8 and 30 sec. exposure. One question is how long between exposures and how many? I appreciate any information you may provide.

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Mar 20, 2018 21:13:01   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
Search for star trails here, I did a magnum opus a few days ago, and don't want to repeat. But to answer your specific question, I do 4 minute exposures 1 sec apart for 90 minutes. DOwnload StarStax, a free program, to merge the various images into a final composite.

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Mar 21, 2018 01:03:55   #
Tom K 66
 
I will find what info. I can, thanks. I thought exposures that long would cook the sensor in a d7200. I will continue to investigate

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Mar 21, 2018 01:41:55   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
Tom K 66 wrote:
I will find what info. I can, thanks. I thought exposures that long would cook the sensor in a d7200. I will continue to investigate


I would be surprised if 30 seconds is a problem, since that’s the maximum time (other than “B”) for most DSLRs. I have taken a 3 minute exposure with my Fuji.

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Mar 21, 2018 06:23:31   #
manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN
 
Generally, if you stay under 30 seconds, there won't be noticeable trails using a non-zoomed lens or wide angle. Beyond that, you can either do the StarStax route or just make a long exposure. I've had exposures for over an hour and known others who have had them for several hours. The only camera problem I run into with this is battery power if I don't start with a fully charged battery.

Here is an exposure of about 15 mins. https://photos.app.goo.gl/CU6xTLFb0JZeJI0W2

The trails aren't that long at 15 mins. but I've done many exposures this long and never even thought about the possibility of damaging the sensor.

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Mar 21, 2018 08:41:31   #
dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
 
As I said on another similar question, 30 sec exposures work well, with as short of time between them as possible. The advantage of doing it that way is that you can take those same exposures and sequence then into a time lapse movie. I've taken up to 3 hours of exposures.

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Mar 21, 2018 11:31:28   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
Tom K 66 wrote:
I will find what info. I can, thanks. I thought exposures that long would cook the sensor in a d7200. I will continue to investigate


The only real issue is battery life. The EN-El15 in the D850 handles a 90 min star trail easily, with the batter grip, its not even an issue. The only way you could "cook" the sensor would be if you were pointing directly at the sun like during a solar eclipse without filtering.

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Mar 21, 2018 12:08:43   #
Tom K 66
 
Thanks for the information. I will initially take 30sec. exposures for about an hour and post process with StarTrax to see the results.

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Mar 21, 2018 12:11:04   #
Tom K 66
 
You have put my mind at ease regarding the sensor. I just purchased an intervalometer and will try long exposures.

Thanks

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