Andy01
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Veteran Member
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Posts: 5,188
Re: Canon EOS M10 does not take a picture from nightsky.
1
GilbertNeyens wrote:
I am trying to take a picture of nightsky (Galaxy/stars). But it seems when there is not enough seen on the screen (too black) it will not take a picture when I press the button. There is no click.
When I point the camera toward a light source then it does take a picture.
It seems that er is a configuration that does not allow to take a picture when the area that I am trying to take a picture off is too black.
What I am trying to do is use ISO and shutterspeed configuration to take pictures of the Galaxy. But every time I point the camera to the night sky and press the button, nothing happens.
Welcome to the forum. You have chosen one of the more challenging photography subjects, especially with a basic APS-C camera.
You need to use MF, not AF - irrespective of whether you are using a tripod or not. The camera will tend not to shoot in AF unless it has confirmed focus.
Night sky (astro) photography is challenging, and especially so with a APS-C camera, and more so if you don't have a fast lens with a larger aperture.
Even with a EF-M 22mm set in Manual mode and Manual Focus (MF) at f2.2 or f2, you will need ISO 1600, something like 10 second shutter speed (Rule of 200 on APS-C to avoid star trails), and a steady tripod, and obviously nice clear skies with minimal light pollution (dark skies). Even then you are going to struggle for light, and will need to do significant post processing to try to enhance the stars. Taking multiple images and stacking them also helps to reduce noise.
The only decent way to achieve sharp MF is to magnify to 10x, aim at the brightest star you can, and slowly adjust focus until the star is as sharp as possible. Then without touching the focus ring (and obviously still in MF), re-compose the shot, and take it.
Trying with a EF-M kit zoom like 15-45mm is likely to be close to a waste of time. It will work for the moon, but not stars. It is just too slow.
The only other alternative is to buy a tracker that allows much longer shutter speeds.
Also look at the astro forum here. I am a rank beginner, and there are some VERY experienced members there. Be warned though - astro can be a rabbit hole that requires lots of patience and deep pockets.
Good luck.
Colin