The lens I used for night time star photography is an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. The settings were ISO 140, 18mm, for 30 sec. I never did Milky Way photography. Two years ago I was at the Big Bend National Park and that is the place to go for Milky Way and star photos. They seemed so close and brilliant. Try You Tube for info on Milky Way photography.

I have a Canon Powershot SX 40 and it does a nice job. Especially if it is on a monopod or tripod for those really long shots. It also has a macro setting. I carry mine in a leather fanny pack around my waist. The SX 50 or SX60 are newer models. I recommend any of those models.

In 1998 I motorcycled the full length. I took 7 days and camped along the way. It was a real scenic adventure. Took many stops and hiked on some trails. I had a Sony digital camera that saved pictures to a cd. Not nearly as good quality as the cameras now.

Thanks. I just wanted to know. I do my composing with the lens as much as possible.

Will a higher mega pixel camera give better results when cropping the picture? In other words being able to crop more without loosing detail?

I have a Nikon D5500. The WIFI function does not connect to the internet to send pictures to friends. It does download pictures to a smartphone and from there you can email them to your computer or a friend. It does not download pictures to your computer via the internet. Just to a smart phone.

An iPhone 7 Plus takes great pictures and it is in your pocket. Other phones take good pictures also I have heard.