First time using X-T5 for astro - Portland Head Lighthouse

[SquarePeg]

First time using the X-T5 for astro. I was surprised by the amount of noise I had to deal with. With the X-T2 I always shot at ISO 3200 f/2 15 s and noise was manageable even when I had to bring the exposure up 3 stops in post. Is this the increased MP's bringing in more detail that looks like noise in the dark sky or is this just a different sensor handling the noise differently? I'm going to experiment with various settings and editing techniques with the X-T5. Maybe it's me trying to force the 5 into the same routine I use for the 2? Next milkyway shoot I'm going to bring the X-T2 along as well and shoot them both side by side. This location had more ambient light than I'm used to. Anyone else shooting astro with the X-T5 care to weigh in on settings etc?

ISO 1600, f/2, 8s using the Fuji 35mm lens.
PHL Milkyway by SharonCat..., on Flickr

I have a lot more photos from this location as we were there from 1am until sunrise! Still thawing out 3 days later.

 

[cgw]

Settings aside, I suspect different sensors+processors=different noise results?

 

[terri]

This sky really does seem noisier than what you usually get. Brighter, noisier...I haven't a clue.

A side by side comparison would certainly show you a lot. It could be that, for astro photography, you may like your X-T2 better.

Looking forward to seeing more from this shoot.

we were there from 1am until sunrise!

Good lord. You're hell when you're well, girl!

 

[bulldurham]

I wondered why all the noise in the MW and not so much in the foreground. I managed to tone down some of the noise using On1's denoising and tossed in a bit of luminosity masking to get a bit more blue in the dark sky. I also adjusted the horizon line to level. And, just for grins and giggles, I cloned in some of the MW into the foreground water.

 

[SquarePeg]

The color noise reduction saps all the color out of the stars. I'd rather have the noise and the color than neither.

 

[MitchP]

I don't know anything Fuji, but the denser the megapixels usually means more noise.

 

[Jeff15]

The new camera looks like its working well...

 

[Peeb]

I use DXO Photolab to denoise, and it is remarkable. Topaz has a nice app too.

Great shot!

 

[SquarePeg]

I don't know anything Fuji, but the denser the megapixels usually means more noise.

That seems to be my unscientific experience! Good thing I still have the X-T2!

The new camera looks like its working well...

thanks Jeff…

I use DXO Photolab to denoise, and it is remarkable. Topaz has a nice app too.

Great shot!

I used Topaz on this one. Typically I don’t need Topaz for astro stuff. I just use the NR in Lightroom.

Several people on the Fuji forum suggested DXO is better at handling Fuji files. I may give the free trial a look.

 

[jeffashman]

It's a very nice shot! How do you manage the light pollution? Do you use a filter to filter out the yellow light? I've tried a couple times from the back yard, but haven't had any success yet.

 

[SquarePeg]

It's a very nice shot! How do you manage the light pollution? Do you use a filter to filter out the yellow light? I've tried a couple times from the back yard, but haven't had any success yet.

Looking out toward the sea and the dark coastline there isn’t a lot of light pollution from this angle. I haven’t tried any of those filters. I can’t imagine they do much.

Sometimes I like a bit of light pollution on the horizon. It gives the shot some color. What Bortle # is your location in?

 

[John 2]

The X-T2 sensor is known to have a character of it's own and may well handle low light differently. The noise in this shot has a bit of a woolly character, not so well defined. Could well be down to the sensor. Having said that, Topaz Denoise AI sorts it out with a boost to colour noise reduction. Needs a little sharpening after that (I used High Pass to prevent the noise being sharpened any further) and the result looks improved without degrading the image. As you say, a bit of experimenting with your workflow is probably the answer but that's part of the fun. However, it's a very nice shot none the less (why would I expect anything else?).