DSLR Photography of the nights sky

melb.robmac (Rob) · #1 28-04-2011, 10:16 AM

Hi,
Well I'm back again for a bit - work and family seem to be the biggest co-conspirators in stopping me from enjoying stargazing.
However, I'm making every effort to view on the cool crisp nights that we are now beginning to experience once again.
Anyway, I have a good quality DSLR (Nikon D60 - well I think that it is good quality) with a good quality tripod and remote shutter release. I do have a telescope but do not have the time to get it out to use (Dobsonian Mounted and probably in need to proper alignment too).
I am wondering how can I take a good photo of the nights sky from my location and pickup the wonderful Milky Way? I've seen some photographs in the Australian Sky and Space magazine where the photo has not been aided by a telescope or Equitorial mounted camera ...
Any suggestions on where I should start? What setting should I set for (eg. speed / ISO setting / bulb)?
Thanks!
Rob

A23649 (Nathan) · #2 28-04-2011, 10:58 AM

From what i've heard and tried as long as you can get until star trails appear, unless you want those, ISO 800 - 1600 depends on the noise of your camera. Bulb if you want to be more part of it, personally i just use the timer in the camera. some of my first attempts were taken, stupidly, with a friday night football match on close by in northern canberra.

melb.robmac (Rob) · #3 28-04-2011, 11:21 AM

Hi Nathan,
Many thanks for your thoughts on what to try. I will as soon as I can get the camera and accessories out and report back.
Cheers,
Rob

A23649 (Nathan) · #4 28-04-2011, 01:10 PM

i should be cloudy for a couple of weeks since my new telescope mount arrived yesterday

Stu Ward · #5 28-04-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A23649

i should be cloudy for a couple of weeks since my new telescope mount arrived yesterday

I'm glad you piped up with that as i might get a new scope next week and I didn't want to feel guilty

Stu

A23649 (Nathan) · #6 28-04-2011, 04:47 PM

strange? its gone clear maybe the weather gods are favouring me

niko · #7 28-04-2011, 05:21 PM

Rob,

try ISO 800 or 1600 and exposures of 25 secs or 30secs. Set fstop to lowest number poss (around 4.3 or so)

Focus can be a bugger (as I found recently after taking 200 shots!)

One exposure of that length should give you some MW detail (some photoshop work will help lift subtle details) and if you take many you can stitch into a startrail.

cheers

niko