Early attempt at astro-photography...

[jcanfield]

Went out last night trying to get some of the meteor shower. I just recently bought a Canon 17-40mm and this was the first time I got out to use it for sky shots. Not much luck with meteors but I thought this one turned out alright. Still figuring out settings. Let me know what you think.

Canon 5D - Canon 17-40mm
AV mode, ISO 1250, f/4, 30sec exposure
Cleaned up in Photoshop CS4

http://jcanfield.smugmug.com/Photography/Astrophotogp/IMG1122-edit/866451310_cMu3A-XL.jpg

[AxPhoto]

I think this is a great shot. Exposure looks spot on in my opinion with the foreground separated from the sky, yet the sky still remains dark. Very well done.

[jcanfield]

Thanks Scott!

The weather was perfect here in East Texas last night for it. Crisp cool air and clear skies. No lenses fogging up! I took quite a few with the focus a bit off. I had always heard that you need to turn the focus ring all the way to infinity, but I've found I have to turn it back just a bit for things to come out in focus. I have a good amount that did not come out in focus till about 30min after I had started taking. Luckily I checked and corrected. Next project is star trails. Have done a few but not with the new lens. Excited to get back out and try again.

[Nighthound]

This is an outstanding shot. Great composition and processing.

[Celestron]

Thanks Scott!

The weather was perfect here in East Texas last night for it. Crisp cool air and clear skies. No lenses fogging up! I took quite a few with the focus a bit off. I had always heard that you need to turn the focus ring all the way to infinity, but I've found I have to turn it back just a bit for things to come out in focus. I have a good amount that did not come out in focus till about 30min after I had started taking. Luckily I checked and corrected. Next project is star trails. Have done a few but not with the new lens. Excited to get back out and try again.


Thats a great shot ! If you have prblems focusing then heres the easy way . Choose center FP in your viewer for the camera . Set to Auto , tripod it , point at Jupiter and center focus . Put your left index finger on the Auto-Manual switch , right index on the shutter button . Looking throught the viewer press the shutter button halfway down to make the lens try Auto focusing but make sure the center Focus point is right on Jupiter so that it detects brightness to focus . When it does it will snap to focus on Jupiter to a pin-point . When it does this release the shutter button and switch to manual focus on the lens Auto switch . When this is done don't touch the lens anymore . just point it at the area you want to shoot and start shooting , preferably with a remote .

BTW , i use to live in Winnsboro , got a couple brothers still there and a sister in SulpherSprings .

[m and m]

This is a amzing photo, i love how the forground cups the sky. Most images like this the tree's are almost leval.

[TheBigDog]

awesome shot Jonathan!

[jcanfield]

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate all the comments and advice! :D

[CaptainTonus]

Looks really good. Try that same shot with a 2.8 lens at max aperture and you'll be really amazed at how it turns out.

[VIGER]

For a first it's a bang. We share the same hardware.

Cheers

Michel

[jcanfield]

Yeah, I can't wait to add to my lenses arsenal. :cool: I'm loving the UWA though! Definitely has been awesome and has opened a lot of new opportunities.

[trailblazer87]

Nice shot, you managed to capture the Orion nebula, the large spot at the bottom of Orion's belt.

[Todd Lambert]

Great shot, the trees definitely complete this image.

[VIGER]

Picture of the week.

[jcanfield]

Wow, thanks Michel!

[troypiggo]

Damn right, that turned out awesome! Stars look good, love the subtle foreground treeline. Easily make out Orion and constellations. Love it.