The IQ in this image was far from poor.

For some reason that URL above does not work. Start at the second http (the one after blank">) and copy the rest of it. It should work then.

https://www.sahavre.fr/tutoriels/astrophoto/34-regle-npf-temps-de-pose-pour-eviter-le-file-d-etoiles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://web.archive.org/web/20200220123345/https://www.sahavre.fr/tutoriels/astrophoto/34-regle-npf-temps-de-pose-pour-eviter-le-file-d-etoiles

No worries! The "rule of 500" states that for long exposures, you can divide 500 by the focal length of the lens you are using (you have to add in crop factor if using a DX camera) to get the maximum number of seconds you can expose the sensor to to prevent star trailing. The problem with it is that it is not applicable any more with modern DSLR's because they have much higher resolution. You might be able to get away with it for a 22 MP camera but certainly not with 46MP. Of course it all depends on what amount of trailing you are willing to find acceptable. The rule of "300" is probably more accurate. With my D850, trailing is very noticeable in 100% crops when you use the rule of 500. The MFN (NPF) rule is much better for DSLR's nowadays. You can find the MFN rule at the URL below, just add in the information for the required blocks and hit calculate. The site is in French but your browser should be able to translate it for you. If your camera is not listed, you will have to find out the pixel size ("pitch") for the sensor in your camera. You should be able to find it on the web.

https://www.sahavre.fr/tutoriels/astrophoto/34-regle-npf-temps-de-pose-pour-eviter-le-file-d-etoiles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://web.archive.org/web/20200220123345/https://www.sahavre.fr/tutoriels/astrophoto/34-regle-npf-temps-de-pose-pour-eviter-le-file-d-etoiles

Th rule of 500 is obsolete. The MFN rule is far better.

I could not do any longer exposures because the camera was untracked. I was pushing the limit as it was for that focal length.

Me too!

Nikon D850, 15mm f/3.5 AIS Nikkor. (50) 15 sec @ f/3.5 ISO 4000 light frames and 20 each dark, bias and flat frames stacked in Dark Sky Stacker.

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Except this is a beautiful woman, my fiancé in fact!

Yup. But I shoot mostly T-Max 100 now, especially in medium format.

All Saints Cemetery , Pawleys Island, SC

Nikon F2A, 200mmf/2 ED IF AIS Nikkor, Tri-X @ 1/125 @ f/2

Though this long gone soul was no relation to me I did however indeed find the inscription on his headstone to say it all.

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A 400WS strobe in a 48" octobox from above for the key light, a 48" reflector from below to open up the shadows (classic "glamour" lighting) and a 200WS strobe with barn doors and a 10º honeycomb grid from behind. The 200WS strobe was set to provide an exposure +1 stop over the key light.

This time near the entrance to the Castle. Nikon FTN, TX, 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor S

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D850, 105mm f/1.8 AIS Nikkor

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Nikon D850, 105mm f/1.8 AIS Nikkor

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This old castle was the winter residence of multimillionaire Archer Huntington and his wife Anna who lived up in New England somewhere. It is a massive place on very large grounds. You can find out more about him and his wife at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archer_Milton_Huntington

These images were taken with my trusty 1969 Nikon FTN and 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-P and 28mm f/3.5 Nikkor-H (respectively) on Tri-X film developed in D-76 1:1. I have still not unpacked my Nikon CoolScan 8000 ED scanner so I scanned them with the D850 and 55mm f/2.8 AIS Micro Nikkor on the PB-6 bellows and PS-6 slide/negative holder. I think the scanner would probably do a slightly better job since it has glass negative holders.

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