t3i Basic Milkway Capture Help

Hello fellow Canonites,

I recently purchased a t3i upgrading from an xti and am heading out to Kansas for work and want to bring my camera along. Normally I live in atlanta so shooting a star is like fishing in a desert but i figured I could drive out somewhere in Kansas and snap a few.

I want to experiment with getting some of the Milky Way. I am taking along with me a t3i, sigma 15mm Fisheye and sigma 17-70 and a tripod. I searched for guides and had no luck. Any advice on getting a colorful milkway photo? I am using Star Walk for iphone to find it.

I have a Mac so stacking is a little harder but any advice and I would be grateful.

Mucho Gracias.

CRD15 wrote in post #13791398
Hello fellow Canonites,

I recently purchased a t3i upgrading from an xti and am heading out to Kansas for work and want to bring my camera along. Normally I live in atlanta so shooting a star is like fishing in a desert but i figured I could drive out somewhere in Kansas and snap a few.

I want to experiment with getting some of the Milky Way. I am taking along with me a t3i, sigma 15mm Fisheye and sigma 17-70 and a tripod. I searched for guides and had no luck. Any advice on getting a colorful milkway photo? I am using Star Walk for iphone to find it.

I have a Mac so stacking is a little harder but any advice and I would be grateful.

Mucho Gracias.

Start HERE this link was found at the top of this fourm, in the sticky "Astro Technique How-To's "

I shot this photo out in the eastern sierras with my kit lens with my Nikon (oh noes!). ISO 3200, 30seconds f3.5.

Here are my tips:
-stable tripod
-shoot in raw
-use high iso to shorten the duration the shutter is open. the longer the shutter is open, you will start getting star trails.
-use larger aperture, dof is not that important here. same reason as before, you want as much light hitting the sensor for least amount of time
-use the timer or a remote shutter release
-make sure the sky is free from ambient light (cars, cell phones, etch)
-cover your eye piece to prevent light from entering from the back of your camera
-30 seconds work well for a test shot, adjust from there.
-turn off on camera noise reduction. this will allow you to have max details and allow you to take another shot sooner
-post process the raw image. imo, noise reduction is better with software. tweak to your hearts content. i suggest adjusting exposure, black levels, vibrance, saturation, clarity. you might also notice hot spots in your raw. thats your sensor heating up.

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Awesome. That really helps and makes me feel pretty good I don't have to buy anymore equipment. I''ll probably download Starstax and PS CS5 for my post processing. Thanks for your help.

imjason wrote in post #13796171
I shot this photo out in the eastern sierras with my kit lens with my Nikon (oh noes!). ISO 3200, 30seconds f3.5.

Here are my tips:
-stable tripod
-shoot in raw
-use high iso to shorten the duration the shutter is open. the longer the shutter is open, you will start getting star trails.
-use larger aperture, dof is not that important here. same reason as before, you want as much light hitting the sensor for least amount of time
-use the timer or a remote shutter release
-make sure the sky is free from ambient light (cars, cell phones, etch)
-cover your eye piece to prevent light from entering from the back of your camera
-30 seconds work well for a test shot, adjust from there.
-turn off on camera noise reduction. this will allow you to have max details and allow you to take another shot sooner
-post process the raw image. imo, noise reduction is better with software. tweak to your hearts content. i suggest adjusting exposure, black levels, vibrance, saturation, clarity. you might also notice hot spots in your raw. thats your sensor heating up.

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Milky Way by JFChanPhoto, on Flickr

Is this just one single exposure? No tracking devices or anything? It's pretty damn good and sharp if you ask me!?

JAM13 wrote in post #13823671
Is this just one single exposure? No tracking devices or anything? It's pretty damn good and sharp if you ask me!?

yes single exposure, on a regular tripod, with the kit lens. nothing special.

Looks like you've already got the equipment you need. At 15mm, you'll probably be limited to 20 seconds or so before getting trailing, but try it and see to be sure.