advice on tripods for d3400 greatly appreciated

[visitingalien]

Hi all on this forum, I am pretty new to photography. For my next project it will be a shoot for the stars. However, I am quite confused as to which type of tripod will fit my camera and what lens to grab.
Current equipment are sadly a D3400 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
What tripod would I need and is my lens capable in capturing the night skies?

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1636670 (link to some shoots I had)

 

[sadper]

u need any tripod that is stable to hold ur camera with the lens on. do think if future u want to put heavier lens or more accessories then better to get a more heavy tripod

 

[Octarine]

Have a look at this sticky thread:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1515526
This should give you an overview about the various details to watch out for.
Note: these tripods are only meant to keep your camera in a fixed position. For astro photography there are also (costly!) tracking devices that would move your camera to track stars.
For more details about such options check out the sub forum for Night Photography:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=85

 

[visitingalien]

would this lens AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G be useful in capturing stars etc?

 

[SkyStrike]

Wider apertures usually will help to keep the ISO lower. But for a 35mm, it's not exactly very ideal for astro uses where many prefer to use wider focal length.

 

[visitingalien]

so would Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Prime Lens or Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus be better?

 

[Octarine]

so would Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Prime Lens or Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus be better?

Wider = shorter focal length. 50mm is the opposite.
Auto focus is not required, once the lens is focused just switch to Manual focus and don't touch it again.

 

[visitingalien]

so 50mm means its narrower?

 

[Octarine]

so 50mm means its narrower?

Yes. Please have a look at the beginner guides we have in the Newbie Corner (sticky threads on top).

 

[visitingalien]

just read it, so is a 50mm sufficient for stars?

 

[catchlights]

just read it, so is a 50mm sufficient for stars?

Yes, you can shoot stars with 50mm lens, stars, sky and a little bit of foreground or maybe no foreground. If this is what you want.