Milky Way DSLR test shot

[gregbradley]

Not the best shot I'll ever take but not bad for a test.

ISO6400 is the new ISO1600!

30 seconds, F2.8, Nikon 14-24mm F2.8ED at 14mm, Nikon D800E stationery on a tripod. Stars start to trail even at 14mm 30 seconds.

Next test will be with the camera on a mount.

A few notes, don't use noise reduction in Capture NX2 it slaughters the image. In camera high ISO noise reduction used here but ordinarily I would use a dark library and flat. No vignette control as it boosted the whole image too much. White balance was high colour flourescent lighting.

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/143266625/large

Also here is another test image at ISO25600! It could do with a little bit of noise reduction but it shows a lot of promise about what these next gen DSLRs are capable of - that's ISO25600! Shot in RAW, converted in Capture NX2, processed in Photoshop CS2.

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/143266873/large

Greg.

[multiweb]

Sweet shot - very smooth indeed.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Marc.

It certainly opens up widefield Milky Way imaging possibilities as well as time lapse.

I think this camera will be superb for both of those uses. High ISO performance is in a new league. ISO6400 is the old ISO1600 which should be very handy. ISO25600 is useable but I don't see myself using that too much. Sky glow will wreak havoc quickly.

Also have to test it without internal camera noise reduction on for amp glow etc.

Greg.

[RickS]

Very impressive, Greg! I'm hoping my camera arrives this week in time for the new moon weekend.

Cheers,
Rick.

[multiweb]

That should be great for time lapse. I'm looking into a 12/14mm or 16mm lens for my SONY NEX-5. They're sold with a 16mm pancake but is a little costly. I was thinking of getting a K-mount Pentax or other as I already have an adpater. What budget lens would you recomment in those FL bracket?

[gregbradley]

Hi Marc,

I am not that familliar with the APS sized lenses. But to achieve the equivalent of 14mm with APS would require 8-9mm. The closest to that I think is 10mm. The Samyang 14mm gets a good writeup. Only negative can be quality control. Its a matter of adapters then.The Nex 5 has a range of adapters though. Its a cool camera.

Greg.