First attempt at star trails.
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.
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.
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
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.
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/CU6xTLFb0JZeJI0W2The 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.
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.
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.
Thanks for the information. I will initially take 30sec. exposures for about an hour and post process with StarTrax to see the results.
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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