File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
ITT:

Pictures of stars, or techniques you use to capture them.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I got some stars in this one, kinda by accident though. Four minute exposure.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:03:08 10:43:43White Point Chromaticity0.3Exposure Time241 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length21.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width430Image Height630RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
I've managed pictures of stars on an S3IS by simply setting it down on a flat surface outdoors, setting the exposure for a very long time, with a high ISO and an open lens, and keeping it stable when I press it by putting the timer on.

Pics coming later when I can get my USB hub, to which I have attached an external hard drive, working.
>> eku
>>37433

http://www.danheller.com/star-trails.html
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Recent shot out where I live - during a "ZOFG! Burn my EYEZOUT!!!" full moon.
(Size reduced to 1226 * 818 using IrFanView)

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 30DLens Size11.00 - 18.00 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 00.00Owner NameShujin TribbleSerial Number0820507687Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution200 dpiVertical Resolution200 dpiImage Created2007:02:28 20:27:31Exposure Time6 secF-Numberf/4.5ISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/4.5Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length12.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1226Image Height818RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeManualFocus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessUnknownSaturationUnknownContrastHighDigital ZoomUnknownShooting ModeManualImage SizeUnknownFocus ModeManualDrive ModeTimedFlash ModeOffCompression SettingSuperfineSelf-Timer Length10 secMacro ModeNormalWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed224Camera Actuations-1860239168Color Matrix129
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Same as before - with stars and direction labled
(Size reduced to 1226 * 818 using IrFanView)

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 30DLens Size11.00 - 18.00 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 00.00Owner NameShujin TribbleSerial Number0820507687Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution200 dpiVertical Resolution200 dpiImage Created2007:02:28 20:27:31Exposure Time6 secF-Numberf/4.5ISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/4.5Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length12.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1226Image Height818RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeManualFocus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessUnknownSaturationUnknownContrastHighDigital ZoomUnknownShooting ModeManualImage SizeUnknownFocus ModeManualDrive ModeTimedFlash ModeOffCompression SettingSuperfineSelf-Timer Length10 secMacro ModeNormalWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed224Camera Actuations-1860239168Color Matrix129
>> Photon
Here's my post for stars:

http://zip.4chan.org/p/src/1174002983504.jpg
>> Anonymous
>>37775
>>37776
Oh god I love your house! And the picture came out nicely!
>> Anonymous
>>37435

Wow, I'm completely blown away. Excellent.
>> Anonymous
i'm disappointed i cant get long exposures like these on my P&S. i would love to do night shots like these.
>> Anonymous
>>37936
What "long" exposure options do you have on yours?
>> Anonymous
>>37943
15 seconds max
>> Anonymous
>>37944
ISO / F# / MM / RES?
>> Anonymous
>>37945
ISO 800 max / 2.7-3.5 / 36-432 / res? resolution? 6 megapixels? I am still learning how to camera.
>> Anonymous
>>37947
OK. Even at 15 seconds you'll be able to get some nice shots.

Using 400 - 600 ISO / 40 mm / full res @ 15 seconds, you'll just need a timer and a stable base.

400 - 600 iso - so you don't get TOO much noise
40 mm - gives a nice wide angle / slightly more than normal eyesight, plus your f will be f/~3
Full Res - gives you as much playing room as possible.
The timer is so that you can hit the countdown and leave it alone on your steady base / no button induced jitter.

For my pix: (37775 & 37776) I used just a simple cheap-assed tripod and a 10-sec countdown timer to set the cam and keep it steady.

Lastly focus - set it to infinity or whatever you have close to it. Then, just shoot away.

Good luck, I'll be looking for yours tomorrow!
>> SLQ
     File :-(, x)
Seems that the higher ISO I use on either of my cameras, the more grain I get...

My cameras are a Nikon Coolpix 4800 and a Canon PowerShot A520. I use the A520 for night shots because it can do 15 second exposures.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A520Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.6Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size5.81 - 23.19 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.00Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2007:03:17 20:45:02Exposure Time15 secF-Numberf/3.2Lens Aperturef/3.2Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.81 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width2272Image Height1704RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeManualFocus TypeManualMetering ModeCenter-WeightedISO Speed Rating400SharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeLargeFocus ModeManualDrive ModeContinuousFlash ModeOffCompression SettingSuperfineSelf-Timer Length1642 secMacro ModeNormalSubject Distance65.530 mWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed224Image Number156-5602
>> Anonymous
lol at above poster's new finding that ISO affects grain quality.
>> Anonymous
>>37969
hey let him alone, this isn't something that is obvious to people since their brain was formed in the womb or anything. it may seem like a rather obscure phenomenon to a noob that higher ISO makes for more noise.
>> Anonymous
>>37969
>>37971
Settle down you two - No it isn't obvious at first, and if you look at it...

>>37960
At ISO 400, I'd expect you shouldn't be seeing THAT much noise in the pictures. Try bumping down the ISO and see if that helps a bit. Aside from that do a little online searching and see if anyone else complains about the same problem (noisy low-light pix)
>> SLQ
     File :-(, x)
>>37969
I know that ISO speed effects grain. I just find it interesting that I've seen photos that used ISO speeds double or more what my camera can do, and have near no grain.

Personally, I use ISO 100 with a f-stop of 2.6 or 3.2. Attached is one of my better images (at least one of my better non-stacked images). Took this one 01/09/2006. In it is the Big Dipper (URSA Major) and the Little Dipper (URSA Minor).

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A520Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.6Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size5.81 - 23.19 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.00Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2006:01:09 03:17:52Exposure Time15 secF-Numberf/2.6Lens Aperturef/2.6Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.81 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width2272Image Height1704RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeManualFocus TypeManualMetering ModeCenter-WeightedISO Speed Rating100SharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeLargeFocus ModeManualDrive ModeTimedFlash ModeOffCompression SettingSuperfineSelf-Timer Length2 secMacro ModeNormalSubject Distance65.530 mWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed160Image Number105-0580
>> SLQ
"I just find it interesting that I've seen photos that used ISO speeds double or more what my camera can do, and have near no grain."

To add and expand on my comment there, it rather pisses me off that I have to drop my ISO speed to 50 or 100 to get "okay" pictures, when I see pictures that use ISO 1800 and such that are frigging flawless. I can only guess on what cameras they're using to get that kind of performance.

I'd love to have a Canon EOS 20Da... Too bad my pockets are only 6 inches deep, not 3 feet.
>> ac
>>37983
They're using SLRs. Bigget sensors = Lower noise.
>> Anonymous
>>37983
The 20Da is now out of production and might become more easily available as folks move into the 30D (as I have)

There is also the chance of getting a super-cheap older 35mm cam w/ a cable release (I have a Minolta SR-T 101) to try a few shots too. Not as quick, of course, but definitely inexpensive compared to a 20Da or 30D. (At least, that's how I started.)

The sample images for that cam are all daylight shots. Could you get a full-res iso 400 daylight shot of something with different colours to compare the grain against?

>>37985
Bigger is not always better. The amount of noise looks much more like temperature noise or poor low-light compensation than anything else to me.