Star Trail Fail

[capturedbyjames]

D'oh!! I didn't have a remote with me, and the only way I could think to set this up was with interval shooting. Clearly not thinking, and being a complete fool, I set up some 30 second exposures at 31 second intervals.

So, 30 seconds shutter open, 31 seconds rest, 30 seconds open, 31 seconds rest... Anyone good at dot-to-dot?

Star Trail Fail by capturedbyjames, on Flickr

 

[Tigger]

Not a bad attempt, at least you've tried this

What settings are recommended for star trails anyway? (for future reference)

 

[capturedbyjames]

Cheers. Now I've tried it I'll strive for perfection (with a remote shutter release).

That was 40 images, 30 second exposure, ISO 200 f2.8 I believe (can't remember off the top of my head).

I just took one shot that I was happy with, then used those settings for the rest. A bit of trial/error, but you get the jist.

 

[MattT]

It's actually quite a nice pic!
I don't understand why you'd pick a 31sec interval though? lol.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

lol nice attempt though.

I want to give this a try soon. Didn't realise the cheat technique of combining separate photos.

 

[Nick_P]

I have had reasonable success in the past. I first used the very long single exposure technique, but the stacking gave far better results (less noise).

Im waiting for a clear sky and a day that I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn so I can take some at the Avebury stones.

 

[capturedbyjames]

It's actually quite a nice pic!
I don't understand why you'd pick a 31sec interval though? lol.

I was thinking that 31 seconds would give me 1 second in between 30 second exposures. Clearly I was stupid though...

lol nice attempt though.

I want to give this a try soon. Didn't realise the cheat technique of combining separate photos.

It's far from the cheat method - it's how the real boys do it! Leaving the shutter open too long means the sensor gets hot and starts doing odd things and gets very noisy. I didn't know that before though, just stumbled upon how others do it when I got back.

I have had reasonable success in the past. I first used the very long single exposure technique, but the stacking gave far better results (less noise).

Im waiting for a clear sky and a day that I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn so I can take some at the Avebury stones.

I'm hooked now and want to do it more.... just a bit too lazy to get out atm....

 

[Paul_G]

Makes for quite an interesting shot all the same!

I've only tried the long shutter approach....which does lead to quite a lot of noise, even at relatively low ISOs. What are software options regarding image stacking?

 

[Nick_P]

Startrails.de, google, done.

 

[capturedbyjames]

I've only tried the long shutter approach....which does lead to quite a lot of noise, even at relatively low ISOs. What are software options regarding image stacking?

I didn't bother with any software, apart from photoshop, just opened all images as layers, and set each layers mode to Lighten. Job done!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I'm currently have a go tonight. The sky is completely clear, camera set to take 150 30s photos. So I'm going to be waiting around for a while.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

How are you guys setting the intervals?

Do all of your cameras have the interval timer built in or are you using software or a remote?

I've looked at a couple of remotes for the interval release but they are pretty pricey.

Quite interested in how you do yours.

Cheers

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

In camera interval timing. I set mine to take 120 30s photos.

 

[Nick_P]

I just use the hold button on my remote release

Hopefully the sky is clear tomorrow night...

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Interval timing ftw. Set it, leave it for an hour, come back

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Is this a Nikon only thing ? Haven't seen it on any Canon, apart from within the software that you get with the camera...

 

[Nick_P]

Hmmm, no interval timing on the D90. Thermos and some layers...

 

[MattT]

I was thinking that 31 seconds would give me 1 second in between 30 second exposures. Clearly I was stupid though...

Ahh, fair enough - at least there's some logic in that. Live & learn eh!

 

[Nick_P]

Oh my days it was cold sat out under the stars last night. Just making my maiden voyage on photoshop, to try and get something out of these pics... Pretty sure my D90 stopped firing for a minute at one point, but I shall see..

 

[Nick_P]

Camera did turn off for a bit, and theres a plane, and I need to tweek a few bits

Avebury Star Trail by Frozen_Badger, on Flickr

 

[StephenJ]

Really like that mate!

 

[Jon.G]

That's a cracking photo!

 

[capturedbyjames]

Ace effort.

Looks like it was a satellite going across. Great first effort though, loads better than mine!