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Mar 13, 2019 23:42:28   #
seawarrior
 
Hey everybody. Just joined the site as I have been curious about Astrophotography and am ready to go beyond the single exposure MW shots and also into some "starter" DSO's, but definitely need some tribal knowledge on this topic.

I am excited as I will be in VA for the next 3 months for work as it will offer plenty of dark skies.

Other than that, I am going to post below my previous question I incorrectly left in a previous forum...

Cheers and have a great night!

SW-
-----

I am looking for recommendations for unguided/untracked tips if you have a moment to offer your advice?... My hope is to be able to get photos close to the quality of the two Orion Nebulas above (understanding I am looking at taking darn near a thousand photos or more to increase the SNR).

Specifically, I shoot with a Nikon D500 (all NR and internal settings off) and would like to shoot with my Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR at about 150mm, framing Orions belt and the Nebula. SS about 1-1.3secs depending on star trails. My question is with the ISO, though. I have been reading a lot of the forums mentioning around 12,800 ISO and others, on the lower ISO team, stating shoot lower (400-1600) ISO. I am under the impression that the lower ISO will be for the tracked photos with longer exposures, but am open to any thoughts on the matter.

Additionally, I have a Tokina 11-16 mm and the Nikkor Kit lens that came with the camera (Nikon 16-80 mm F/2.8-4.0 DX) which also takes some killer MW photos if you believe either of those would be better for my intro-to-AP stacking lesson.

I know the equipment listed isn't ideal, but my goal is to get "brilliant at the basics" before purchasing mounts, scopes, etc...

Lastly, I recognize personal trial and error will be key, but was hoping to get some good lessons learned from someone shooting with similar equipment and getting the type of results I am seeking.

Thanks for any help and happy shooting.

SW-

Nikon D500, Kit lens, SS: 10 Sec, ISO: 3200, F2.8 - Single Exposure :(
Nikon D500, Kit lens, SS: 10 Sec, ISO: 3200, F2.8 ...

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Mar 14, 2019 00:38:49   #
Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan
 
Welcome. Check out the Astronomical Photography Forum here:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html

Mike

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Mar 14, 2019 04:19:06   #
Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY
 
Welcome to UHH.

Reply
 
 
Mar 14, 2019 06:16:05   #
joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ
 
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing a photo.

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Mar 14, 2019 07:06:59   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Welcome to our forum!

Beautiful shot.

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Mar 14, 2019 07:49:28   #
MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay
 
Welcome to the forum!

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Mar 14, 2019 07:50:48   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Nice shot.
Welcome to the forum.

Reply
 
 
Mar 14, 2019 09:12:52   #
Wrench Loc: NE CT
 
Very nice shot. Welcome to UHH. Check it the all sections tab and look for the Astro page. I’m sure you’ll get the answers you’re looking for

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Mar 14, 2019 09:30:09   #
Ronsh Loc: Floresville,Tx.
 
seawarrior wrote:
Hey everybody. Just joined the site as I have been curious about Astrophotography and am ready to go beyond the single exposure MW shots and also into some "starter" DSO's, but definitely need some tribal knowledge on this topic.

I am excited as I will be in VA for the next 3 months for work as it will offer plenty of dark skies.

Other than that, I am going to post below my previous question I incorrectly left in a previous forum...

Cheers and have a great night!

SW-
-----

I am looking for recommendations for unguided/untracked tips if you have a moment to offer your advice?... My hope is to be able to get photos close to the quality of the two Orion Nebulas above (understanding I am looking at taking darn near a thousand photos or more to increase the SNR).

Specifically, I shoot with a Nikon D500 (all NR and internal settings off) and would like to shoot with my Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR at about 150mm, framing Orions belt and the Nebula. SS about 1-1.3secs depending on star trails. My question is with the ISO, though. I have been reading a lot of the forums mentioning around 12,800 ISO and others, on the lower ISO team, stating shoot lower (400-1600) ISO. I am under the impression that the lower ISO will be for the tracked photos with longer exposures, but am open to any thoughts on the matter.

Additionally, I have a Tokina 11-16 mm and the Nikkor Kit lens that came with the camera (Nikon 16-80 mm F/2.8-4.0 DX) which also takes some killer MW photos if you believe either of those would be better for my intro-to-AP stacking lesson.

I know the equipment listed isn't ideal, but my goal is to get "brilliant at the basics" before purchasing mounts, scopes, etc...

Lastly, I recognize personal trial and error will be key, but was hoping to get some good lessons learned from someone shooting with similar equipment and getting the type of results I am seeking.

Thanks for any help and happy shooting.

SW-
Hey everybody. Just joined the site as I have been... (show quote)


Well with what little I know, I think using the lower ISO is for stacking images. Shoot a lot of images at lower iso gives you less noise. Stack with something like Starry Landscape Stacker, there’s a few others that folks like also. It depends on what type of computer you have .
May want to check this new e- magazine
https://www.darkskytravels.com/magazine
Love shooting at night so please share.
Ron

Reply
Mar 14, 2019 10:16:56   #
Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas
 
Welcome to the Hog, enjoy.

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Mar 14, 2019 11:42:39   #
photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ
 
Welcome to the Hog

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Mar 14, 2019 17:17:07   #
Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada
 
Hey SW, I also am interested in astrophotography. Look at my avatar. First about the ISO. I shoot with a full frame camera and it tolerates a high ISO (3200 to 8000). However, that being said, follow the rule of 500 or in your case, the rule of 300 considering the crop factor (1.5) in your camera. Makes it easier in the math. Well, you take the length of your lens times the crop factor and divide it into 500. This will give you the exposure time in seconds. Remember that this is only a starting place. It also depends on where you are shooting in the sky. Shooting Polaris will give you a longer shutter time than something that is at the celestial equator. ISO is dependent on the cameras as to noise generation. Crop sensor cameras when using high values of ISO will have higher noise factors as seen as color background. For correct exposure, rely on the histogram for this. I use it to measure my exposure. Place the peak about one-third from the left side of the histogram. This works for me. My exposures can range up to 2 minutes unguided on a star tracker. They are great and not too expensive. Clear skies and great shooting to you, Sky Warrior RFB

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Mar 14, 2019 19:16:20   #
seawarrior
 
many thanks ron!

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Mar 14, 2019 19:18:39   #
seawarrior
 
Will definitely take the info and apply it! I will follow up with photos after the weekend...

V/r,

SW

Reply
Mar 14, 2019 19:28:06   #
seawarrior
 
Ronsh wrote:
Well with what little I know, I think using the lower ISO is for stacking images. Shoot a lot of images at lower iso gives you less noise. Stack with something like Starry Landscape Stacker, there’s a few others that folks like also. It depends on what type of computer you have .
May want to check this new e- magazine
https://www.darkskytravels.com/magazine
Love shooting at night so please share.
Ron


Killer Magazine!!!

Reply
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