Long Exposures and Overheating


GSiGuy

Senior Member
Sep 14, 2010
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Has anyone tried to like capture star trials on a K-x where you do exposures of 30 mins to 3 hours? Will it overheat and damage the sensor?

Is stacking 30sec exposures safer? (not sure how to do it at PP)...
 

It will not overheat, I think, but you will get a lot of hot pixels due to the long timing... Which makes it a pain in the arse to edit.

Most people these days stack 30 second exposures because well, it's just more noise-free.

There are many many programs you can use, one is ImageStacker: Image Stacker

You can read another here: How To: Star trails – Stacking with StarTrails.exe

That last one has a link to another star trails program from this site: www.Startrails.de-Home

You can see a youtube video here: Night Photography: Stacking Technique For Star Trails - TMELive.com - YouTube


There is actually a lot a lot a lot of information on the net on stacking star trails, if you want to read more, just google "Stacking Star Trails", I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding something you like.
 

It will not overheat, I think, but you will get a lot of hot pixels due to the long timing... Which makes it a pain in the arse to edit.

Most people these days stack 30 second exposures because well, it's just more noise-free.

There are many many programs you can use, one is ImageStacker: Image Stacker

You can read another here: How To: Star trails – Stacking with StarTrails.exe

That last one has a link to another star trails program from this site: www.Startrails.de-Home

You can see a youtube video here: Night Photography: Stacking Technique For Star Trails - TMELive.com - YouTube


There is actually a lot a lot a lot of information on the net on stacking star trails, if you want to read more, just google "Stacking Star Trails", I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding something you like.

Thanks, yes, there is alot of info on stacking. I was hoping to avoid it and do along exposure though... kinda lazy... but if i am on a trip with one camera then i better not risk it.
 

Thanks, yes, there is alot of info on stacking. I was hoping to avoid it and do along exposure though... kinda lazy... but if i am on a trip with one camera then i better not risk it.

Battery might also not last that long... :)
 

Battery might also not last that long... :)
Heh! Yeah there is that too... yeah sounds like stacking is the only choice... Thanks!
 

how about use interval timer to trigger it, one shot every 10 sec. each shot last for 1 sec, that is 6 shot per minute, 360 shot per hour, or few, then in Photoshop, put everything together, with each layer set to blend mode as Add or Screen.
 

Hmmmm you talking about an intervalometer or something like that?
 

Have been searching but haven't found a solution yet. Looks like what i need is something like the Phottix Nikos. Red Dot's website doesn't seem to sell one for K-x. As Pentax K-x is IR only, i can't seem to find a third party IR intervalometer that is compatible for K-x. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 

PK_Tether | Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras

you don't need to buy any extra if you have a 10-hour battery life netbook. (300 sgd in IT show now)

plug the usb come with kx into pc, use this software to set the interval time,

and the software will help you save the image directly into pc harddrive as well.

I tried with software for a indoor still flash photography studio shoot, you control everything in your pc, when the camera is connected
 

PK_Tether | Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras

you don't need to buy any extra if you have a 10-hour battery life netbook. (300 sgd in IT show now)

plug the usb come with kx into pc, use this software to set the interval time,

and the software will help you save the image directly into pc harddrive as well.

I tried with software for a indoor still flash photography studio shoot, you control everything in your pc, when the camera is connected

Thanks, i certainly will consider that as a suggestion. However, as i am planning to do a star trial shoot whilst on holiday i am hoping i don't have to lug so much stuff. So i'm hoping that i can find a small portable solution to this...
 

Have been searching but haven't found a solution yet. Looks like what i need is something like the Phottix Nikos. Red Dot's website doesn't seem to sell one for K-x. As Pentax K-x is IR only, i can't seem to find a third party IR intervalometer that is compatible for K-x. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Infrared intervalometer K-x (soldering required) - PentaxForums.com
 

As a by-the-way question, i heard there is an intervalometer function in K-5? Is this correct and is there a limit to the number of pictures it can take?
 

Can't speak for the K-x, but I've tried a 30+min exposure at ISO100 for star trails with the K-5 before, and it didn't turn out too bad. The noise was perfectly acceptable for me, maybe comparable to what you'd expect at roughly ISO400-800.

But I think stacking does give an additional degree of freedom, thinking of trying it next time.
 

Can't speak for the K-x, but I've tried a 30+min exposure at ISO100 for star trails with the K-5 before, and it didn't turn out too bad. The noise was perfectly acceptable for me, maybe comparable to what you'd expect at roughly ISO400-800.

But I think stacking does give an additional degree of freedom, thinking of trying it next time.

Thanks for the info. Yeah might try to stack cos it seems like the safer thing to do. Btw when you did a 30min exposure, how long were your star trials?

Oh you travel to some amazing places by the looks of your pics!
 

Thanks for the info. Yeah might try to stack cos it seems like the safer thing to do. Btw when you did a 30min exposure, how long were your star trials?

Oh you travel to some amazing places by the looks of your pics!

Just making use of my time overseas. ;)

The 30min star trails were not very long, I'd say I got roughly 25-30 degrees or less than 10% of a full revolution around the north star. I might try for 1hour total exposure next time.