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350D does the Milky Way

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kiwi2

kiwi2

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I drove out into the middle of nowhere yesterday in search of a dark sky to really try out the 350D on some astrophotography.

Dust lanes in the direction of Scorpius



5 minutes, ISO 400, f4 at 26mm with a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX, tracking on a telescope mount.

Finally after several years with digital - I feel I am surpassing 35mm film for this kind of wide field work.

Any other astrophotographers out there feel the same?

http://www.Kiwipo.Astronomy.photoshare.co.nz

--
images hosted by http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz

If stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
 
kiwi2 said:
I drove out into the middle of nowhere yesterday in search of a
dark sky to really try out the 350D on some astrophotography.

Dust lanes in the direction of Scorpius
Click to expand...
kiwi2 said:
5 minutes, ISO 400, f4 at 26mm with a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX, tracking
on a telescope mount.

Finally after several years with digital - I feel I am surpassing
35mm film for this kind of wide field work.

Any other astrophotographers out there feel the same?
Click to expand...
Very nice image. Makes you wonder about what's "out there," beyond
our little home called planet earth.

I have the 350 and 18-50, as you, and find it to be a great combo.
I could not be happier.

Keep up the good work.

Robert

--
'Don't sneak up on it - surround it'
 
Beautiful picture, would like to try making these kind of pictures myself. Need to buy a tripod first.
 
Beautiful shot. I haven't tried piggybacking on my Meade 10" cat yet, but the few short deep sky exposures and planetary shots I've done so far have been encouraging. I don't want to get involved in CCD imaging, so this may turn out to be an excellent compromise. I've seen some superb work being done with the 20a, but I have a feeling that the 350D isn't that far behind.

Stan
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
 
Nice shot! Are you using an unmodified 350D?

I have been doing film astrophotography for a while, and just got my 350D last week. That is why we haven't had any clear nights here in the Atlanta area, of course (tonight may be the first).

A couple of nights ago it was only partly cloudy so I set up a telescope for some unguided test shots in between the clouds. I was amazed by the low noise level! I knew that the 350D was supposed to have low noise, but I was seeing practically NO noise at 5 minutes, ISO 200 (about 40degres F). Tonight, if the weather holds up, I will set up with the guide scope and push it up to ISO 400.

--Don
 
could you explain to me how you manged not to have star trails? what kind of tripod did you used?
very very good photo BTW
kiwi2 said:
5 minutes, ISO 400, f4 at 26mm with a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX, tracking
on a telescope mount.

Finally after several years with digital - I feel I am surpassing
35mm film for this kind of wide field work.

Any other astrophotographers out there feel the same?

http://www.Kiwipo.Astronomy.photoshare.co.nz

--
images hosted by http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz

If stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
Click to expand...
 
...he is using a [computer controlled?] motor driven telescope mount -- since the image is 5min long, if it were taken on a simple tripod, it would show movement -- his' set up is much more complex than that. Btw, I also think it's a fantastic shot of our galaxy disk plane...
 
kiwi2 said:
I drove out into the middle of nowhere yesterday in search of a
dark sky to really try out the 350D on some astrophotography.

Dust lanes in the direction of Scorpius
Click to expand...
wait a min. you shot this without a telescope?? ONLY with a mount?

that's incredible. I also own a sigma 18-50ex+350D but where can you possibly see sky that rich in stars???
 
coontie said:
wait a min. you shot this without a telescope?? ONLY with a mount?
Click to expand...
As the OP said:

5 minutes, ISO 400, f4 at 26mm with a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX, tracking on a telescope mount.

Looks to me like the "telescope mount" was doing the tracking for the 350D.
coontie said:
that's incredible. I also own a sigma 18-50ex+350D but where can
you possibly see sky that rich in stars???
Click to expand...
Most parts of the SouthWest US and Rocky Mountain states, away from city lights, will give you skies like that.

--
http://www.pbase.com/pespen
--
Canon Digital Rebel XT (Silver),Canon 10-22mm lens,Canon 50mm 1.8 mkII
lens,Canon 35mm 2.0 lens,Canon 17-85mm IS lens,Canon 70-200mm F/4L
lens,Canon 580EX
Flash,Lowepro
Micro Trekker 200 backpack
 
Very true. Without the computer controled star tracker, you end up with an entirely different effect. Although both have their appeal, I personally prefer the method kiwi uses, however since I cannot afford such fancy equipment yet, I am stuck doing 43 minute star trail pictures.

don't get me wrong, It's still fun to see the results.



BTW. Great picture Kiwi, I can't believe that was only 5 minutes. You must live in a very dark area.

---------------------------------------------------------
-Steve

Please take the time to read the following important notice:

It should be taken into consideration that the writing party is now, and forever will be, a newbie. Therefore, the written text as expressly stated hereinabove is to be construed as containing no intelligent content whatsoever unless otherwise legitimized by the reading party at which time, said party assumes full responsibility for actions carried out as a result of the above mentioned text since it is a foregone conclusion that the writing party has ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT THE HECK I AM TALKING ABOUT???

Have a nice day :)
 
Omg this is great =) I remember seeing these kinds of photos years ago and i remember thinking that someday when i have a camera id try do something like that =) I got a camera now so..

What do i need to take a picture like that?
My camera 350D
Lens (got sigma EX 18-50 2.8 and Canon 70-300IS.

Then i need a tripod. But does it have to be a special kind of tripod?
How does the thing work with computer to keep tracking the stars?
Please explain im really interested =)
Amazing picture btw!
Bass

--
Photos @ http://www.bassel.se/photo
----------------------------------------------

Camera:
Canon 350D

Lens:
Canon 70-300/4-5,6 IS USM
Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX
Kitlens

P&S Camera: FinePix F11
 
Bassel said:
Then i need a tripod. But does it have to be a special kind of tripod?
How does the thing work with computer to keep tracking the stars?
Please explain im really interested =)
Click to expand...
It's not a computerised mount, just a motorised EQ5 mount. ( http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/ProductsMO.html#EQ5 )

It came with a telescope I brought a few years ago. There is a wee sight down the middle of it that you use to line the whole thing up on the celestial pole and then a small steeper motor that rotates the head at around one revolution per day. That's it... and now were ever you point the camera, it will track the stars.

But just as important to have is a dark sky away from the light pollution of a large city... otherwise you will not get the contrast that's needed.

--
If stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
 
Pusseapa said:
wow. how does that work? (i'm a noob)
Click to expand...
It's basically this mount here with a steeper motor attached.
http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/ProductsMO.html#EQ5

There is a wee sight down the middle of it that you use to line the whole thing up on the celestial pole and then a small steeper motor that rotates the head at around one revolution per day. That's it... and now were ever you point the camera, it will track the stars.

It is accurate enough for wide-angle work say up to 15 to 20 minutes... 200mm work up to 5 minutes... and through a telescope for 1 to 2 minutes.

If you want more accuracy for longer exposures, then you need to start "guiding" which involves a lot more expense for the necessary equipment.

The way I have done it is termed "unguided"

--
If stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
 
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