Cubanphoto

Since joining the UHH I have been learning a good amount of photography information.

In a week I will be in Yellowstone and I hope to shoot the milky way. My first time doing it after seeing several times.
Another question:
When I have the camera on the tripod, (I heard the vibration reduction should be off), is that correct?
Thanks in advance

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

My camera manual says to turn it off when tripod mounted.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Some say YRS the say It doesn't mater. So off is safe.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

.....and use a cable release or a remote or the camera's 2 second delay.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

It really depends upon the camera system you're using. Some need it turned off... others don't. Usually the manufacturers give some info.

In addition to the other suggestions, you should seek out info on astrophotogrpahy. For example, too long an exposure will cause blurring or elongation of stars, due to the Earth's rotation. That will dictate the ISO and aperture you'll be able to use. I ain't no expert on this, so look here on UHH and elsewhere for more recommendations.

Some thoughts to minimize chance of camera shake blur during longer exposures....

I agree about using a remote release or the camera's self timer, so that you aren't touching the camera during the exposure. Remote releases can be wired or wireless. There may even be an app for your phone that can be used to trigger the camera.

If using a DSLR and your camera has it, Mirror Lockup (sometimes "MLU") is another shake reduction strategy. Live View shooting can serve similar purpose with a DSLR. (Mirrorless don't have a mirror "bumping around" inside them, so it's no a concern and there's no MLU.) If you don't have a remote release or phone app... the self-timer delay can work. So long a you are reasonably careful, usually any vibration you cause when you press the shutter release button on the camera will dissipate pretty quickly.... so a 2 second delay might be sufficient. If you have choice and the scene allows it, a 5 second or longer delay most certainly would do the job.

Another thing that might effect longer exposures is the mechanical shutter itself.... causing slight internal vibrations as it operates. How much effect this has varies a lot by camera model. There's not much you can do about it, unless your camera has an electronic shutter. (If it does have one, to be certain I might take two shots.... one with the mechanical shutter, then another with the electronic.)

One more thing to think about... I don't know about all brands of cameras, but Canon models have a "Long Exposure Noise Reduction" (LENR) that's a little tricky to use if you don't understand what it's doing. Basically, LENR only works on exposures of 1 second or longer. So you can have it enabled and never realize it, until you make an unusually long exposure. LENR is actually two exposures: first the "standard" image exposure, then a second one that's done with the shutter closed creating a "map" of the noise that's occurring, which will later be used to "subtract" noise from the image. You have to trip the shutter twice when using LENR. If you don't... if you cancel the second "close shutter" shot (by turning off the camera or pulling the battery)... the first shot will automatically be deleted! You'll end up with no image at all! It's not unusual for people who don't realize LENR is enabled or don't understand how it works to be baffled when they can't find their images after a shoot! Other camera systems might have similar... or their own quirks related to long exposures, noise reduction, or who knows what

Shooting the stars, I would be a bit concerned about using noise reduction anyway... I'd be worried it might obscure some of the stars themselves. I don't know, though, since it's not something I've done in recent memory (maybe never with digital). You should ask for advice from some astrophotographers who are using gear similar to yours.

To further steady a camera on a tripod, it's possible and might help in some instances to hang a weight under the tripod. Some tripods have a hook especially for that purpose. If there's any breeze at all, you also may want to remove any lens hood... it's usually not necessary at night and if it catches a puff of air, it might cause some camera shake blur in images. And, depending upon your tripod, if it has one in most cases it's best to not extend any center column.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

You might want to make note that the Milky Way is more difficult to see when there is a full or fuller moon. It's generally better to shoot it without a moon. Check out the Photo Pills app, it allows you to use virtual reality to see where the MW will be and when.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

That depends on the lens.
Older ones need to be turned off for IS.
Newer ones do not need the IS turned off.
I leave mine on.

CaptainPhoto

Go out to google, find Photo Pills and read their tutorial on shooting the Milky Way. Download their app on your phone $9.99, and that's all you need.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

What does your manual say?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

It bla bla bla. Some you do and some you don't. Just turn it off. Off is safe on a tripod.

SteveLoker Loc: Fort Worth, TX

The vibration reduction(IS) should be off when using a tripod because it will keep trying to work even when the camera is still. Same goes for lenses with IS. Mount on a tripod, turn off the "helpers". Also, go full manual, including the auto focus on the lens. I learned both of these (IS and AF) the hard way and lost a whole night under the stars that would have been better spend with my wife!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Take your user's manual with you.

Cheers!

Cubanphoto

Thank you to all of you! I got great suggestions and additional tips!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It has been already mentioned, look at the manual.

Modern VR lenses can be on while on a tripod. I keep the habit of keeping VR off if I am using a tripod.

Haydon

Depends on the manufacturer. Some lenses have tripod sensing and don't require it under certain conditions.