Important Astrophotography question

[TheAstroChannel]

Hey everyone, now that i have taken three deep sky images, people have said i need to take longer exposures. so how do i do this with this camera?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TheAstroChannel99/176299359130134

[JB80]

You will have to find in the menu the "Long Shutter Mode" setting and use that, the IXUS has a max shutter of 15 seconds so I would use all of that and take 10 or 20 pictures of that length and stack them.
We have a 115 IXUS and the long shutter mode is on there but I haven't used it for astrophotos as yet.

[Shark Bait]

I don't know what scope you have but by using a compact camera clamped to the eyepiece (afocal photography), half decent images can be taken.

Refer to this link for an idea:
www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=100096 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=100096)

This is a current thread with some excellent prime focus photography with a goto dobsonian. It is amazing what can be achieved if you have some modest gear and an eye for detail.
www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=100476 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=100476)

The attached photo shows my setup for the recent eclipse. The same arrangement was used to get the images in the first link. This is a very basic setup. There won't be any prizes for astro photo of the year, but it is still a lot of fun.

It might be worth adding your equipment list to your signature. That will give IIS members a better idea when offering advice.

[JB80]

OK I've done some playing around with mine and once you have selected the "Long Shutter Mode" try and take a pic, mine was set for 1 second, so then press the little +/- button and it will bring up something that says "Shutter Speed 1 second".
Once you see that press the flower button on the left of the dial to increase the length of the exposure.

I just learnt something too. :)

[TheAstroChannel]

I have the IXUS 105, and it doesnt have a shutter mode, you can't manually change it on this camera :( when i press the +/- button, it only lets me change the exposure.

[JB80]

I think It should have it, at least the article I read said the 105 has that function.
What happens when you press the "Function settings" button in the middle under the +/-?

On mine it brings up an on screen menu on the left hand side of the screen, from there you can change the different picture modes.
I scroll down until I see a picture of stars and moon and that's the Long Shutter selection.

Almost forgot you have to switch the switch on top of the camera from the auto mode to the little picture of the camera.

Hope that helps a bit.

[TheAstroChannel]

WOW, i did a bit of searching, and i found it!
Cant wait to take it outside tomorrow!

[JB80]

Now I know how to do it on mine I'm keen to give it a try too on some night scapes just out of interest to see how it'd perform.
Not sure how I can get continuous shoot on it or if it'll take a remote trigger. Might have to see if taping the button down would work but I'm not convinced it'd work as the trigger is fairly flat to the camera body.

[ourkind]

Nice one Jarrod! And Sean good luck with your photos when you get out there next!!

[TheAstroChannel]

Hey guys, i just was outside doing some observing, and i set my camera to 15 second exposures. And when i had a look at the final picture it showed long star trails through the Orion nebula. If any one can tell me how to fix this problem, i will greatly appreciate it!