First star images this weekend -- need some guidance.

jwbryson1 · Jun 8, 2012

Some friends of ours have rented a cabin alongside a river in the middle of the Virginia countryside for her birthday and we have been invited along! Yay us!! Plenty of drinking will be had, but in addition, it seems that at night, it's PITCH DARK, so I am going to take along my D90 and tripod and try to get some star photos. It will be the first time that I have really had a chance to get away from the city and the light pollution for a real chance at some good photos.

My lens options are 50mm 1.8; 35mm 1.8; 18-200mm 3.5/5.6; 18-55mm kit lens.

Suggestions on which lens to use and how to do the set up are appreciated.

Thanks.

Josh66 · Jun 8, 2012

Sw1tchFX has an excellent thread on this:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/articles-interest/276016-shooting-night-pictures-stars-stuff.html
(Probably should be a sticky...)

Robin Usagani · Jun 8, 2012

to get you inspired hahaha
ISS Star Trails - a set on Flickr

jwbryson1 · Jun 8, 2012

O|||||||O said:
Sw1tchFX has an excellent thread on this:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/articles-interest/276016-shooting-night-pictures-stars-stuff.html
(Probably should be a sticky...)

Thanks!! I had forgotten about this thread. Great resource. Wish me luck. I will post my (meager) attempts next week.

jwbryson1 · Jun 8, 2012

So it seems the best approach is to use a short range lens (35mm/50mm); high ISO and open up as wide as possible. Get a base exposure and then dial everything down until the results are optimum.

Should be a good time!

Robin Usagani · Jun 8, 2012

jwbryson1 said:
So it seems the best approach is to use a short range lens (35mm/50mm); high ISO and open up as wide as possible. Get a base exposure and then dial everything down until the results are optimum.

Should be a good time!

Just experiment man. Bring plenty of battery since you will use it up with long shutter. If you dont have remote shutter, use timed shutter. If you use a really long shutter, more than likely a small movement from pressing will not do anything.

Sagitta · Jun 8, 2012

Unless you WANT trails, wider is better. In my experience, my kit 18-55 has been about the best for stars, followed closely by my 50 f/1.7's. I'd definitely give the 35mm a try, it has the advantage of being prime with a relatively wide angle.

Also there really is no set 'this is the amount of time to use' as when you vary your exposure, the colors shift, and if you have a moon in the sky (or really ANY ambient ground lighting) it can interfere as well.

If you need inspiration, this was one of the first shots I took when I switched to a DSLR. I had next to no idea what I was doing, and still managed a decent shot. It was a full 30 seconds at 18mm with my kit wide open. Once you figure out the timing, night shots are pretty fun things.

The Dooryahd by Jody Roberts, on Flickr

rexbobcat · Jun 8, 2012

If you want star trails:

Low ISO, aperture around f/5.6 to f/8, 10-30 minute exposure

If you just want pinpoint stars:

High ISO (500-1600 should work), f/2.8 (you can try faster but make sure the stars are in focus), 1-30sec depending on your lens. Longer focal lengths will require shorter times otherwise the stars will smear.