Atrophotography with my DSLR - taking it up a notch

I wonder, could you take a second flash shot (to in-fill the trees) and combine the two images - nicely exposed trees and a wonderful wide-field Orion shot.

oooh ... that's a great idea ... I think my camera have a setting where the flash fires just once on a long exposure either at the start or the end. That could really add to the shot ... not sure if the flash will fire far enough to affect the trees though .... definitely worth a go though!

Flashes work pretty terribly in those conditions unfortunately. Especially the built in ones.

Not sure about the exposure times you are using, but getting a high powered torch (argos have a 5 million candel one thats good for this!) and 'painting' the trees at an angle would give a good result. Might add tot he light pollution though!

Paul. Ive used a Panasonic FZ7 "superzoom" point and shoot for about 18 months and its great for moon shots. 12x zoom (430mm 35mm equiv)really is great for use on the moon.

took my 2007 lunar eclipse sequence with it:

i78.photobucket.com/albums/j87/schmintan/moon_web.jpg


And its not that complicated. it gives you a bit more control than a standard point and shoot (apature priority, shutter priority or mannual).

Put it on a good tripod, and a 30 second exposure at ISO 200 pick up brighter stars. Ive picked up orion using it a few times.

the sensor, being so small is quite noisy at higher iso values, but if your looking for a stepping stone, something in that line might suit you. I know it served me well.

Not sure about the exposure times you are using, but getting a high powered torch (argos have a 5 million candel one thats good for this!) and 'painting' the trees at an angle would give a good result. Might add tot he light pollution though!

The exif data is in all the pics so you can see for yourself (I like to keep it in there)

Exposires of about 15 seconds at ISO 1600 ... I think 'painting' the trees should work ... as long as it's not a foggy night ... definitely at an angle though rather than 'head on' .... might need a second person to help me ... one to 'paint' and one to shoot

Bart.

I'd loved a DSLR cam but they look so technical...........it puts me off getting one.....but i know if i ever want to take any kind of astro photo's that i am going to have to invest in one.

Point and click just doesnt cut it for astro photo's unless doubled up with a scope.

The D40 or D40x from Nikon are very good in that reguard. Very few knobs and dials, just a nice simple interface. Can use as point-and-click if you want, or get more technical. Even the technical stuff is very easy to find on the D40 IMO. I've played with Cannons and even the Nikon D80 and I find the D40 is way simpler and way less intimidating.

Bart.

Fintan my cam(5X optical zoom) is fine for the moon when used a-focally through the scope.

But if i just point it upwards at stars for a wide view pic..............all i get is black.

Voyager........my digicam is a Nikon and i love it, so if and when i upgrade..................it will be to Nikon.

im sure that if you set the longest exposure on your camera ( if it has such a feature, and most can take up to 30 secs) , set your camera to take a pic 2 seconds after you hit the shutter button, and lie it on its back where it wont move, you will pick up some stars.