Help me improve my startrails!

So I have been wanting to get a shot like this for a long time and I have finally done it! I recently decided it was time to purchase a cheap intervalometer for my 5Dm2 and give this a shot. I received the box from Amazon a few days ago only to find out that the remote I ordered will not fit my 5Dm2!!! DOH! Oh well...I was fortunate enough to have ordered one that is compatible with my other camera...a T1i. So I decided no sense in sending it back or trying to sell it. I will just keep it to use with the Rebel. Anyway...on to the shot!

This was compiled using the application StarTrails which I found for free on the internet.
T1i
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye
f/3.5
ISO 800
30 seconds
45 shots stacked

My concerns are...
Airplanes? How to deal with them?
The moon? Is the simple answer to just NOT shoot the moon?
General exposure? What looks right and what needs tweaking?

Not really looking for advice on composition as this was basically a test set up on my deck and I understand it is not exactly flattering. Really looking for more info on technique.

Thanks in advance. This was my first attempt and I am surprised it even came out this well.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/mrbubbles916/6​313018121/

Man if the moon and what ever that is in the upper right weren't in this shot it would be awesome. I like the look of the planes. Anyways, 1. If there are that many planes flying over head in that short amount of time then either find a way to make them work with the shot, find a new location or sit there and clone them out in every shot. 2. I can only say don't shoot the moon haha unless you're a master at cloning things out. 3. Exposure looks fine to me and you came out with great trails!

What intervalometer did you get? The TC-80N3 will work with 5D M II, though i'd go with the off market version. It's supposed to be just as good for only $20. I just ordered one from here,

http://www.linkdelight​.com …D-/-5D-Mark-II-/-50D.html

I would take the time to revise and research your shooting location a bit more, even if this means jumping in the car and driving an hour or so away from artificial lighting sources, getting away from busy airports etc. That and checking on your orientation so that the moon doesn't interfere with your imaging.

Apart from that a great first effort.

Cheers,
Mark.

Planes aren't too hard to deal with as they are usually only in a few frames. Find the frame(s) and paint over it with black in a simple editor. The stacking program looks for the brightest pixel so the black doesn't show through.

MrJack787 wrote in post #13363913
Man if the moon and what ever that is in the upper right weren't in this shot it would be awesome. I like the look of the planes. Anyways, 1. If there are that many planes flying over head in that short amount of time then either find a way to make them work with the shot, find a new location or sit there and clone them out in every shot. 2. I can only say don't shoot the moon haha unless you're a master at cloning things out. 3. Exposure looks fine to me and you came out with great trails!

What intervalometer did you get? The TC-80N3 will work with 5D M II, though i'd go with the off market version. It's supposed to be just as good for only $20. I just ordered one from here,

http://www.linkdelight​.com …D-/-5D-Mark-II-/-50D.html

Thanks Jack. Have you ordered from these guys before? I have never heard of them.

Steve...great tip. Definitely will be giving that a shot.

Mark...one of these days I will drive out to a better location. I am in central NJ and I live a few miles from Solberg airport which is a major intersection for air traffic entering and leaving the NYC area. Air traffic is constantly going over my house lol.

No I haven't, but a bunch of people have written reviews on the site and it says over 2400 have been sold. Worst case scenario you lose $20. I feel confident that they will come through. I'd rather gamble the $20 than pay $150 for Canons version.

Hey just thought I would let you know that the timer remote I ordered from that site just arrived and it works perfectly. If you're still looking for one I would definitely recommend ordering from them!

MrJack787 wrote in post #13403043
Hey just thought I would let you know that the timer remote I ordered from that site just arrived and it works perfectly. If you're still looking for one I would definitely recommend ordering from them!

Hey Jack thanks for the heads up! I actually ordered one this morning lol. I cant wait to get my hands on it!

Glad I could help! I can't wait for a nice clear night to test mine!!

MrJack787 wrote in post #13363913
What intervalometer did you get? The TC-80N3 will work with 5D M II, though i'd go with the off market version. It's supposed to be just as good for only $20. I just ordered one from here,

http://www.linkdelight​.com …D-/-5D-Mark-II-/-50D.html

I'm going to end up ordering one of these... DAMN YOU AGAIN POTN!!!

MWhite wrote in post #13404002
I'm going to end up ordering one of these... DAMN YOU AGAIN POTN!!!

They also have versions for the xxxD (500D, etc) cameras as well, and I just ordered one. That will be a lot more convenient than using the laptop to configure long capture sequences.

archer1960 wrote in post #13407160
They also have versions for the xxxD (500D, etc) cameras as well, and I just ordered one. That will be a lot more convenient than using the laptop to configure long capture sequences.

This is what I bought from Amazon. Works great. Only thing I can find wrong with it is that there is no on/off button/switch. The only way to turn it off is to take the batteries out.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1321460​166&sr=8-1

mrbubbles wrote in post #13407646
The only way to turn it off is to take the batteries out.

There's no point in turning it off if you just want to conserve the battery. The power draw from the micro and lcd is less than the battery's natural decay. If you want to prevent it from accidentally activating the camera, hold the backlight button for a few seconds and that locks the device so that none of the other buttons do anything.

Why do you need an intervalometer for star trails? Set the shutter for 30 seconds or so and just use a regular remote release if you have one and lock the button. Then stack the photos.

Numenorean wrote in post #13408390
Why do you need an intervalometer for star trails? Set the shutter for 30 seconds or so and just use a regular remote release if you have one and lock the button. Then stack the photos.

No reason why that wouldn't work for star trails.

Though in my situation, I don't have a wired remote and the intervalometer would be perfect for stop animation too. Two birds, one stone for me!