Astrophotography with a Pentax
- Thread starter makenshishinta
- Start date
Awesome images, Tommy !
@pinholecam : To keep the noise low as well as avoid distorted stars from a non-tracking mount, exposures duration have to be kept short when using a DSLR. Astrophotgraphers typically take many consecutive shots and then "stack" them using software to bring out the details while keeping noise intrusion low. Cheers
@pinholecam : To keep the noise low as well as avoid distorted stars from a non-tracking mount, exposures duration have to be kept short when using a DSLR. Astrophotgraphers typically take many consecutive shots and then "stack" them using software to bring out the details while keeping noise intrusion low. Cheers
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tommy... noob?
to Jin, that is quite amazing ... milky way in singapore
@Cubicon - yes
the milky way can still be shot in Singapore despite the light pollution. Here is a good read of how a photographer in LA captures photos of the milky way against light polluted sky. Still possible despite light pollution!
http://www.lonelyspeck.com/the-milky-way-in-los-angeles-light-pollution/
In Singapore context, the light pollution is overwhelming but a good thing is that it doesn't brighten the whole sky evenly from horizon to zenith. So when the milky way rises 40 degree or more above horizon, most of the time can get good subs for stacking. Also need cloudless, moonless, haze-less and clear night skies. Rare but it does occur in Singapore.
Dave (aka Makenshishinta) and myself have taken photos of the Milky way on the same night at different location in Singapore. There is another photographer on Singastro forum having success at Marina Bay area. Although the most ideal condition is to shoot under dark skies at a dark location, but in a less than ideal location in Singapore it is still possible to shoot the milky way
With Dave's kind permission to post his pic, this is taken by Dave at Upper Thomson using K-30 with O-GPS1 on 28 July 2013
46 x 50 sec
Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21190487@N04/9419498252/
My shot at Bt Timah using K-30 with O-GPS1 on the same day
20 x 30 sec
Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9393951680/
46 x 50 sec
Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21190487@N04/9419498252/
My shot at Bt Timah using K-30 with O-GPS1 on the same day
20 x 30 sec
Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9393951680/
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many thanks to Jin TK for the help in posting my Milky Way shot.
not only is the milky way possible in singapore but other Deep space object.
M57 Ring Nebula
Taken at Bishan Park
25 X 30 Sec
The Core of M31 with M32 and M110
49 X 30 Sec
All this photos were done with a K30 using a tracking EQ mount.
and i agree what Jin TK Said, "Although the most ideal condition is to shoot under dark skies at a dark location, but in a less than ideal location in Singapore it is still possible to shoot the milky way"
not only is the milky way possible in singapore but other Deep space object.
M57 Ring Nebula
Taken at Bishan Park
25 X 30 Sec
The Core of M31 with M32 and M110
49 X 30 Sec
All this photos were done with a K30 using a tracking EQ mount.
and i agree what Jin TK Said, "Although the most ideal condition is to shoot under dark skies at a dark location, but in a less than ideal location in Singapore it is still possible to shoot the milky way"
For the deep space object photo. I had mounted my k30 to my telescope.
Pk mount to m43 to t ring to visual back of the telescope.
what if i'm looking into more wide field photography.. can i piggyback the camera on telescope and let the mount track across the sky??
thx thx
It is also possible to do wide field AP.
There are a few methods of doing so depending on what focal length you would want to use.
The most well known method is piggyback on a telescope on an EQ mount. It can take almost any focal length depending on a few factors:
- the type of mount you use
- how well your polar alignment is
- using guliding system (note this is different from tracking)
**************************
The other method is via using a camera tracker. It works 500mm or less focal length. A cheaper cheaper choice vs an EQ mount. All you need to do is a polar alignment and mount your Camera on to the device.
There are few choices you might want to choose from for this devices (you might wanna google to check this few out):
- vixen Polarie
- ioptron skytracker
- astrotrac
Do note that the some of this device can only max load of 5kg or less
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Next and the last method which I know of, which is currently only available for pentax. Using the o-GPS unit. Works very well until 300mm focal length. The photo of singapore milky way that Jin TK and me took are from this unit. The pro about this unit is that is cheaper and less hassle then an EQ mount and the Camera tracker. No polar alignment is needed. Comparing to other tracking mount. This is a lighter setup and fast deployment.
If you are starting out in AP. IMO, the o-GPS unit would make a better choice for widefield AP.
When the GPS is able to detect 3 sat or more. With a 300mm I was able to do a 30sec without trailing. With a 17mm I m able to get more then 3mins.
Just sharing, when doing a polar alignment can be quite frustrating. When I first started out. It took me more then 2 whole hours just to get a proper alignment for AP. but once done well. The rewards will be great.
When the GPS is able to detect 3 sat or more. With a 300mm I was able to do a 30sec without trailing. With a 17mm I m able to get more then 3mins.
Just sharing, when doing a polar alignment can be quite frustrating. When I first started out. It took me more then 2 whole hours just to get a proper alignment for AP. but once done well. The rewards will be great.
Hi Koko,
Did not know you also on CS. (=
Indeed the zeq25gt is a light weight mount. Must use with your pentax scope with a pentax slr. =p
Yesterday's night sky was one of the best I ever seen in Singapore....many stars, no clouds and no haze...perfect for astrophotography.
Milky way above the horizon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9579710855/
Milky way & a black car
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9582484900/
Both are single exposure of 30 seconds. Taken at Sentosa.
Thanks for viewing
Milky way above the horizon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9579710855/
Milky way & a black car
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58196275@N04/9582484900/
Both are single exposure of 30 seconds. Taken at Sentosa.
Thanks for viewing
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Another recent shot from Sentosa. K-30 & DA12-24 with O-GPS1 Astrotracer
Flickr - Milky Way from Sentosa
Thanks for viewing
Flickr - Milky Way from Sentosa
Thanks for viewing
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I have used spot or center weighted metering (at manual mode) to shoot before. Same results.. So It shouldn't affect.
You could use any metering type and it will not affect the shot.
AP is done with full manual mode.
Some shot done in singapore over the past few weeks in Singapore
M42 (Orion Nebula) and running man Nebula
40X25Sec
ISO 800
M27 (Dumb bell Nebula) (Cropped)
18X1min
ISO 3200
Done with a K30 with a 500mm F6.3 scope
M42 (Orion Nebula) and running man Nebula
40X25Sec
ISO 800
M27 (Dumb bell Nebula) (Cropped)
18X1min
ISO 3200
Done with a K30 with a 500mm F6.3 scope
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