You don't need a telescope

Todd Lambert wrote in post #13300549
You may not need a telescope, but a few of these sure help...

out of curiousity, where is the location for this?

Harm wrote in post #13305023
out of curiousity, where is the location for this?

This is the "Very Large Array" in the middle of New Mexico:

http://www.vla.nrao.ed​u/

cool, thanks.

That's funny, I was here last week. I roamed past the "road closed" sign at 2030, and was able to...actually, my story's on this link: http://depthofreal.zen​folio.com/p400278746/h​2d3cf33#h2d3cf33

I talked to the guy over the phone, who could answer questions about amateur photography, and he said that as long as you're after hours, then it's $300 for up to 8 hours a day for an NRAO escort to be with you. So it doesn't matter if you're one of us, or Hollywood wanting to be on visitor grounds after hours - $300. It's pretty ridiculous. But, maybe you could start to network, and work your way in? I was there a couple hours before moonrise, and transparency and darkness were on my side. Since I could not get close to a dish, I went to the intersection of 52 and 61, I think it was, and shot the Milky Way. What kind of lighting conditions did you have in the above...composite shot? I see still stars as well as trails. It's awesome. Are the dishes lit by the ambient light from the visitor center? This is a great spot to stop by on my way back to ABQ.

I look at lots of others' photos, and think, wow. I look at some of mine, and think, how could I have done this better, or what is missing? I'd appreciate inputs on this shot, and thanks in advance!

Yes, it's closed at night and it is heavily patrolled. We camped out in our car nearby and watched the patrols all night long.

We sort of got a favor by the night watchmen, as he let us shoot about 45 minutes after the sun went down, which accounts for the shots that you saw.

We are working on obtaining permission/permits for a second trip in the spring, so we'll see what happens.

I like your road shots by the way. I shoot a lot of these myself, as I'm often bored driving around out in the middle of nowhere, and I'll pull over to take a leak and then set up for a shot here and there.

I feel like I'm leaning left in your photo?

Thanks! Ha, yeah, I tilted the camera a little. I had done too many shots with things lined up perfectly, that I wanted to see what putzing with the horizon would do. I like the way it turned out. As long as the elements of the composition were in the right place, then tilting would add a little more, especially with a stargazing type of shot. I just wish I had a wider lens - how do you like your 16-35 F2.8? Have you ever tried the 14 F2.8? I think my T1i isn't doing too bad at these high ISO speeds, but better glass should surely help some. Are you from NM?

No, I'm from TX. Drove 12 hours on Fri to get there and shoot all Sat night and then 12 hours back on Sun.
Ouch!

Yes, the 16-35 is one of my favorite lenses - especially for night stuff. I've thought about the 14L, but I just don't think it could replace the 16-35, as it's still only 2.8 and of course not a zoom. Most of the time, I am now using a 24L just because it goes to ƒ1.4 which is awesome for night stuff. Couple the 24L with a 5D2 and there really isn't a better setup for night shots.

Todd Lambert wrote in post #13309954
No, I'm from TX. Drove 12 hours on Fri to get there and shoot all Sat night and then 12 hours back on Sun.
Ouch!

Yes, the 16-35 is one of my favorite lenses - especially for night stuff. I've thought about the 14L, but I just don't think it could replace the 16-35, as it's still only 2.8 and of course not a zoom. Most of the time, I am now using a 24L just because it goes to ƒ1.4 which is awesome for night stuff. Couple the 24L with a 5D2 and there really isn't a better setup for night shots.

I never been there either but i have been way out isolated between Santa Fe and Ruidoso and i can vouche how dark it is ! Better not get lost at night unless it's a full moon !

At least if you get lost, you can still count the highways on your hand hahaha. Are you in Ruidoso on a regular basis, Celestron? Todd, I didn't realize the 24 was the widest and fastest combo. That would definitely be nice with a 5DII....or maybe a 1DX!!

Todd Lambert wrote in post #13309954
No, I'm from TX. Drove 12 hours on Fri to get there and shoot all Sat night and then 12 hours back on Sun.
Ouch!

Yes, the 16-35 is one of my favorite lenses - especially for night stuff. I've thought about the 14L, but I just don't think it could replace the 16-35, as it's still only 2.8 and of course not a zoom. Most of the time, I am now using a 24L just because it goes to ƒ1.4 which is awesome for night stuff. Couple the 24L with a 5D2 and there really isn't a better setup for night shots.

Oh Todd, you just made me add this lens in my wish and watch list.

LOL, sorry Tony...

Yeah, I resisted it for awhile too... but there isn't a wider, faster lens made. It's sort of the defacto lens for night stuff. I use it by default, falling back to the 16-35 when I need something wider.

depthofreal wrote in post #13311004
At least if you get lost, you can still count the highways on your hand hahaha. Are you in Ruidoso on a regular basis, Celestron?

I go that way just for a weekend but it's been about 5 yrs since i was last there . Been over to Alamogordo to the Space Museum and could see a little of the salt flats but not much of it . Also been over to Capitan to the Smokey the Bear Museum but not much there to see . Been to Ruidoso on a few trips . I really enjoy walking through the souvenir stores and looking at all the artifacts and paintings . Got one hanging on the wall right now from there .

depthofreal wrote in post #13311004
At least if you get lost, you can still count the highways on your hand hahaha. Are you in Ruidoso on a regular basis, Celestron? Todd, I didn't realize the 24 was the widest and fastest combo. That would definitely be nice with a 5DII....or maybe a 1DX!!

On a crop, the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 is the astrophotography lens of choice.

Celestron wrote in post #13311297
I go that way just for a weekend but it's been about 5 yrs since i was last there . Been over to Alamogordo to the Space Museum and could see a little of the salt flats but not much of it . Also been over to Capitan to the Smokey the Bear Museum but not much there to see . Been to Ruidoso on a few trips . I really enjoy walking through the souvenir stores and looking at all the artifacts and paintings . Got one hanging on the wall right now from there .

Yeah, it's a pretty cozy town to stroll through. During White Sands Nat'l Monument's summer hours, it gets nice and dark at astro. twilight. It's by far my favorite place to visit out there. There is also Monjeau Lookout in Ruidoso that has a beautiful 360° view, and gets very dark at night. I've been able to successfully shoot the MW and star trails. Let me know if you're ever out there again. I'm usually out every couple months.

Here's one from a few weeks ago (ISO 3200, 30 sec.):

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/eag/6279108640/