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Proper "rule" for pinpoint stars with M43

Started Oct 27, 2016 | Discussions thread
OutsideTheMatrix
OP OutsideTheMatrix Veteran Member • Posts: 9,876
Re: Proper "rule" for pinpoint stars with M43

Andrew Butterfield wrote:

But what about ISO and aperture?

I wouldn't use ISO of 3200 or higher. It isn't so much because of noise, but the dynamic range issue. Lower dynamic range at higher ISO makes all stars appear to be white. I find star colors come out really well at ISO lower than 3200 but once you hit that mark, the star colors get extremely dull. There's a big difference even between ISO 2500 and 3200 in terms of star colors. And it's shutter speed independent. In other words star colors show really well at exposures of both 2 sec and 15 sec at ISO 1600. But once you get to ISO 3200, regardless of the shutter speed, all stars appear white or nearly so.

To answer your question more succintly, ISO of 800 and 1600 are where you want to be. As for aperture (f number), as fast as you can get.

Also, as far as short star trails are concerned, I think that issue can be fixed with software? DSS or Sequator maybe?

 OutsideTheMatrix's gear list:OutsideTheMatrix's gear list
Nikon Coolpix P900 Olympus PEN E-PL6 Olympus OM-D E-M10 II Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm 1:4.8-6.7 II +9 more
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