Lemons to Something similar to Lemonade, M45 DSLR and 135mm Rokinon: I spent the day SE of Joshua Tree and took along a couple cameras and trackers. Very windy, the dust was so bad...

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

I spent the day SE of Joshua Tree and took along a couple cameras and trackers. Very windy, the dust was so bad that I had a hard time making things out in the sky. The difference was, I could at least see things in the sky compared to seeing only a few stars from my house. Anyways I shot 4 hours on this and kept 22 mins. ISA 1600 30 seconds each. Canon t3i mod'ed and a Rokinon 135mm at f2.2.

I'm not sure why this looks so blurry, if you look at the Download, its not as bad.

(Download)

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Looks like the focus was fine, probably some high clouds or the dust you mentioned was spreading the light out.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Ballard wrote:

Looks like the focus was fine, probably some high clouds or the dust you mentioned was spreading the light out.

Thanks Ballard, I did have a ton out of focus/bouncing around. I would call the 22 mins the good ones, just that they were the only ones I could see round stars. This attachment was from another camera that shows how the dust settled over time...30 second exposures.

(Download)

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi Europa
Definitely had some dust there and image IM_8204.CR2 showed some fairly thick clouds for a bit. Do you know what created the linear green clouds in a couple of the shots where those jet trails?

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Yes I assume they were planes. Not too bad! At home I would have that in every 5 shots😀

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Looks good, considering the conditions.
This Spring weather is terrible.

All the planes I've been bothered with left a white streak with the marker lights blinking crossed my image.
Very distinct and visible.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Europa wrote:

I spent the day SE of Joshua Tree and took along a couple cameras and trackers. Very windy, the dust was so bad that I had a hard time making things out in the sky. The difference was, I could at least see things in the sky compared to seeing only a few stars from my house. Anyways I shot 4 hours on this and kept 22 mins. ISA 1600 30 seconds each. Canon t3i mod'ed and a Rokinon 135mm at f2.2.

I'm not sure why this looks so blurry, if you look at the Download, its not as bad.

I agree with Ballard, probably the dust diffused the details. I'd be more concerned about the amount of dust that might have gotten into the cameras and lens with that much exposure to the conditions.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Well Brian , dust , light pollution and atmosphere you've gotta take what you can get. At least you captured data that you can add too on your next trip.