Photographing/Filming the nights sky - help! - GoFuckYourself.com

Diomed · 05-31-2021, 02:47 PM

So i'm technically a photography philistine when it comes to lenses, but i'm big on the night sky (stargazing, meteor showers, the moon).

I'm working with a t5i that works perfect for product photos with its native 18-55, but its worthless for star shots.

Can of the photography experts here share their secrets for photographing the night sky? I'd love to do video but if thats too difficult just photos would work too.

Doesnt necessarily have to be those incredible long exposure 'galaxy' shots that you see.. i just want to be able to take clear photos/videos of the moon and stars that dont look like a tiny dot in the distance.

Any beginners lens you would suggest for this hobby? Any help would be greatly appreciated, nature seems to be the only way for me practice mindfulness these days!

Thanks again

jsmih · 06-01-2021, 04:27 PM

Galaxy/stars/meteors - need a wide angle wide aperture lens. The Samyang 14mm/f2.8 is pretty cheap (around $220) and supposedly pretty good. Exposure times over 15-20 seconds will start to get star trails.

Moon - need a pretty long lens to get much more than a dot. The Canon 55-250mm would fit your camera, is sharp, and is pretty cheap (around $200). It would give you a bigger moon than your 18-55, but still not fill the frame. Remember the moon is lit by the sun (daylight), so exposures will be short.

NatalieK · 06-01-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmih

Galaxy/stars/meteors - need a wide angle wide aperture lens. The Samyang 14mm/f2.8 is pretty cheap (around $220) and supposedly pretty good. Exposure times over 15-20 seconds will start to get star trails.

Moon - need a pretty long lens to get much more than a dot. The Canon 55-250mm would fit your camera, is sharp, and is pretty cheap (around $200). It would give you a bigger moon than your 18-55, but still not fill the frame. Remember the moon is lit by the sun (daylight), so exposures will be short.

loads of BS...

the moon is easy captured with a good quality camera...

these all taken with my Panasonic...

https://www.panasonic.com/es/consume...g-k.specs.html

however, for deep sky at night, i would recommend purchasing a telescope and connecting it to your pc or laptop

Eddie Monster · 06-02-2021, 01:16 AM

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Sony a7r IV does. You may need to watch some YouTube videos to put the camera in the proper settings.

CurrentlySober · 06-02-2021, 03:21 AM

Check out the pixel 4a for about 250. It has a astro / night mode and you place it n a tripod and it can get unbelievable pics via its built in processing algorithms - The picture above was taken in COMPLETE Darkness ! Imagine if I'd set it up to actually look at the sky specifically.

05-31-2021, 02:47 PM	#1
Diomed Converting like it's 1999 Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The South Posts: 6,165	Photographing/Filming the nights sky - help! So i'm technically a photography philistine when it comes to lenses, but i'm big on the night sky (stargazing, meteor showers, the moon). I'm working with a t5i that works perfect for product photos with its native 18-55, but its worthless for star shots. Can of the photography experts here share their secrets for photographing the night sky? I'd love to do video but if thats too difficult just photos would work too. Doesnt necessarily have to be those incredible long exposure 'galaxy' shots that you see.. i just want to be able to take clear photos/videos of the moon and stars that dont look like a tiny dot in the distance. Any beginners lens you would suggest for this hobby? Any help would be greatly appreciated, nature seems to be the only way for me practice mindfulness these days! Thanks again

06-02-2021, 01:16 AM	#4
Eddie Monster Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 156	I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Sony a7r IV does. You may need to watch some YouTube videos to put the camera in the proper settings. __________________ Ask me about NerdyCMS. Get a pay site going for Free. NerdyCMS. Affiliates can Join here: Affiliates

06-02-2021, 03:21 AM	#5
CurrentlySober Too lazy to wipe my ass Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A Public Bathroom Posts: 38,499	Check out the pixel 4a for about 250. It has a astro / night mode and you place it n a tripod and it can get unbelievable pics via its built in processing algorithms - The picture above was taken in COMPLETE Darkness ! Imagine if I'd set it up to actually look at the sky specifically. __________________ My AI Handywork... My Dream Gal... XXX 👁️ 👍️ 💩

06-01-2021, 04:27 PM	#2
jsmih Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 334	Galaxy/stars/meteors - need a wide angle wide aperture lens. The Samyang 14mm/f2.8 is pretty cheap (around $220) and supposedly pretty good. Exposure times over 15-20 seconds will start to get star trails. Moon - need a pretty long lens to get much more than a dot. The Canon 55-250mm would fit your camera, is sharp, and is pretty cheap (around $200). It would give you a bigger moon than your 18-55, but still not fill the frame. Remember the moon is lit by the sun (daylight), so exposures will be short.