Wide Field...

[that_guy]

I've just received my tripod for my Canon 30D, I have the EFS 17-85mm lens. I don't have a remote timer yet. how long can the exposure be? also anybody know what settings and steps I should take?

Thanks,
Tony

[[1ponders]]

Depends on where your shooting Tony. You can get a good approximation of exposure time by following these guides.

Close to the Celestial equator; exp time = 700/ Focal length. So if you are using 85mm then you can expose for about 8 sec.

If you are shooting towards the pole then Exp = 1000/ FL

[that_guy]

I wanna try the southern cross... Inspired by Jeanette :)

[[1ponders]]

At 85 mm then you could go for around 12 sec

[that_guy]

What ISO should i use? also is there anyone here with a 30D experience? I can't find a manual that says how to

[that_guy]

anybody have any idea on how to change the exposure?

[jjjnettie]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/30d.htm
Here you go Tony.
It has a link to the official Canon 30d manual as well as a "plain english" version of the manual.

[[1ponders]]

If you're using a 30D then use a fairly high ISO but I'd suggest you try it with ICNR. If you want to do star trails then leave ICNR off and take and apply darks later

[that_guy]

right, i had a fiddle with the camera and im not sure if i have it. the setting is on Tv and i think it was set to 13". I dont think there is a 12. I had a go outside and the results are as shown as below. I think I did something wrong there...I dont know what. its just a gut feeling.

[jjjnettie]

You'll need to change to Manual mode instead of Tv.
You have some camera shake there. You can eliminate that by using the time function. Set it for 5 seconds. That will give the camera time to settle down after clicking the button.

[that_guy]

right thanks jjj... i have a nooby question what are "darks"?

[RickS]

Have a look at the article: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-211-0-0-1-0.html

[sejanus]

Need more light mate

For starters ;

iso 1600

go into M mode. Set shutter to 30secs. Set Aperture to the lowest f number it can go to.

point up and let it rip. btw set the self timer to 10secs to help settle down any vibration after you press the shutter.

Theres a lot more to it than that but that'll get you going.

[that_guy]

Here are some pics i tool while i was waiting for my dob to cool... i had a fiddle with the camera and i think i got it okay... it is horrible cos its not focused properly and i hate myself for that. you can just barely make out the colours...

i just want to thank all the people here which lead me to the dark side of imaging... I shall forever be cursed in buying lenses now...

[jjjnettie]

:D Yay!
You'll have to cut your exposure time down a little now Tony. Got to get rid of the trailing.
You do need to concentrate on getting your focus too, as you know.:P
Take short, 8 second exposures, zoom in on the LCD screen on the camera and check. Adjust focus, then zoom in again to see if it has improved. Keep doing that, until you can't get it any better. It takes time, I know, but well worth it to capture a pleasing image.

[rcheshire]

You could put together a two plank hand driven barn door, a basic equatorial mount, and fix it to your tripod, which would give you about 5 - 10 minutes of reasonable tracking, providing it's polar aligned reasonably well. That might give you a few more photons and improve overall results - trailing and such. Doesn't have to be an expensive solution.:)

[that_guy]

im not that good rcheshire... :)

[rcheshire]

I don't believe that for a moment:)

A couple of members suggested using live view for focus - if you have it.

The way they do it, is to get focus through the view finder, as best as possible, and then select live view and increase magnification to 10x and readjust. But we were discussing photographing the moon. Can't see why it wouldn't work on a bright star.

I haven't tried it yet, too much rain. :(

[jjjnettie]

LOLOL
I made a barn door tracker Tony.
it really is very easy to make a basic model.
I'll see if I can find mine at the other house. If it hasn't been broken, or is at least in repairable condition, you're welcome to it.

[that_guy]

30Ds don't have live views :(... one of the downside of having 30Ds...
JJJ, i don't want to pry, or anything. If you might use it at all, than i can't take it... :)

[jjjnettie]

I have 3 motorized mounts now Tony, I have no use for it anymore
Like I said, I can't guarentee what condition it's in.

[rcheshire]

OK!

Not to be put off by adversity. A focus mask? I wonder if that would work on an EF-S lens. Across at A.S.I.G.N there are instructions. Could be made out of black card and fit in the front of the lens.

[jjjnettie]

I've a small Hartman mask I made for my camera lenses.
It works, just need to be careful you don't lose focus when you remove it (if you remember to remove it:P;):lol:) before imaging.

[that_guy]

they seem easy enough to make... i might give that one a go!

[marki]

The Bahtinov masks are best for focusing. Search the net and find some templates. I did this (still have the templates in PDF form) and simply drew the pattern on A4 printer paper, painted it black and laminated it. I made three (66mm, 80mm and 125mm) and they work great. Costs about 30 cents, bit silly of me as I initially bought a 10" kedrick version for about $50.00 to suit my LX200.

Mark

[that_guy]

I went out this morning cos it was dark and seeing was just awesome... however, the neighbour just would NOT turn off those flood lights!! I have this image i managed to take. Is it possible for someone here that has a spare time to improve this image and reply with what they did so i can apply that experience on to my later stuff?? Its too bright and too redish in colour... is it even possible to fix that??

Thanks,
tony

[that_guy]

what kind of cable do i need to buy so that i can control exposure time with my laptop?

[rcheshire]

You have the palm tree perfectly in focus - check that auto-focus is turned off - the palm won't be in focus with manual focus at infinity.

Three ways that I can think of to reduce the skyglow - adjust camera white balance - use software to set the white balance during processing (possibly the easiest) - or use a filter designed for light polluted areas. I have the same problem with neighbours lights.

Here is an automatic enhancement and refocus and sharp of your image, best I could do - maybe someone else can do better. In focus it would be a very nice shot. Perhaps several stacked together would be quite stunning.

Only too happy to help.:)

Cheers,

Rowland.

[that_guy]

ive processed the image again after watching the adam bock video on processing images. This is has high pass filters. It looks better cos it brings more detail but it looks really messy :S

Cheers,Tony

P.S. Had to resize for upload :(

[jjjnettie]

Wow, this repro is terrific.
You've learned a lot from that DVD.
Time to go out (when it stops raining) and work on your focus.
Can't wait to see your next image!!

[rcheshire]

Coming along nicely Tony. In focus it would be a lovely image.:thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Did we mention about focus Tony???



:poke:



.

[rcheshire]

...did we...?

[that_guy]

did you??