Archive 2013 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

kodakeos
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

So I went to Banff, took some shots with this thing, but I am not sure if its what I need...?

I want to do long exposure images, maybe sequences of images for stacks.

But I usually want to keep the landscape in it too.

Since it rotates to keep the stars aligned, the landscape will blur, so I expected that I could do 1 long (or multiple shorter) aligned photos of the stars, and 1 shot of the landscape, and merge them in PS.

But now that I have the 2 images, I cant make them work, the blur in the landscape doesnt work out like I thought.

A: am i doing something wrong with the Theory of how I should shoot these, or am I better off just using ISO6400 and F2.8 with my 14mm? (And I am aware of the 1/2 speed option but that seems like it wouldnt be much better..) Im not doing telephoto deep sky photos, is this thing for me?

B: Any way I can combine these 2 images correctly?

Sep 04, 2013 at 07:38 PM

killersnowman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

you can easily blend the two images but you loose some of the sky near the horizon. you need to shift your still sky shot so none of the blurred land is visible outside the still land. them mask and blend.

this was done in 3 mins

http://www.tsbphoto.com/img/s9/v88/p1636606807-5.jpg

and yea you can see the masking errors cause i was doing it fast and loose.

Sep 04, 2013 at 08:15 PM

kodakeos
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

That was my other thought, but it wasnt 'true'

I could drop any star shot in there..

Sep 04, 2013 at 08:37 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

kodakeos wrote:
That was my other thought, but it wasnt 'true'

I could drop any star shot in there..

Yep, that is the only way to do it when desiring to keep the ground in the shot. I don't have an issue with the "faking" it part since the bottom part of the sky does get lost, so the position captured of the sky is not totally true in relation to the ground. At least it doesn't bothere if others do it, not sure I would be totally comfortable with the idea on one of my own shots. Course, I don't want to spend the money on a star tracking device anyway, so I guess I have saved myself from that ethical question.

As to just doing single star shots. The vast majority of mine are taken at ISO 3200 not 6400, so you should be able to gain better quality by keeping your ISO a bit lower. Though on my D800, I saw very little difference when testing my star shooting one night at 3200, 6400 and 12800. The biggest key is exposing properly to keep the noise down. Unless of course you are using an older camera. With high ISO star shots, the camera really does make a difference.

Jim

Sep 04, 2013 at 09:03 PM

kodakeos
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

My Yellowstone and Wyoming star pics with the 5d3 are excellent. But there is not much color to the Milky Way. I hoped that with this I could extend the exposure to get more depth.
Guess I have different problems.

Sep 04, 2013 at 10:26 PM

kodakeos
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · How do i Use this thing? iopteron long exposure for stars

Like this is what I could get. Not that great compared to some stuff posted here.
What am I missing?


	http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8092232829_7d64b5a599_z.jpg

Sep 05, 2013 at 08:51 AM


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