Star trails w/ film?

Folks, I'm going to a (relatively) dark sky site tomorrow night, and because of several factors, I want to shoot some star trails with film. T-Max 400 B&W film, specifically. Any advice for me on this?

I've got an intervalometer and plan to do some digital star trails at the same time and stack, but have never tried a straight-out long exposure film attempt before. Thanks in advance to the brain trust for sharing its sage wisdom!

Smartest thing you can do.
You must know the theory very well as if there is only one area film is still superior to digital, its the long and I mean very long exposure.
The only thing I want to remind and believe it or not, has happened to few friends even after telling them, specially if you are to take several hour images say full circle of star tracking, is to make sure when you leave that shutter on lock, please release it before sun shows up in morning. Nothing worst than losing all because we can easily fall in deep sleep at the end of dark hours and sun has no mercy.

Very eager to see you image so travel safe and on return share some of your images.

Thanks!

Great stuff. Pity it's B&W. Star trails are excellent on film. The diffusion gives them soft edges and brings out the different star colors (with color film obviously). Reciprocity failure is also working in your favor to keep the sky dark. Eventually the sky will start to expose and the catch is knowing how long you can leave it for that particular film. Some will last all night if it's dark enough. You can either take a punt for a couple of hours or bracket, starting at 30 minutes and doubling for each shot. Good luck.
You've almost tempted me to buy a roll of film myself if it clears up this weekend.

Not sure how long I'm going to stay out. The day's supposed to be clear, but the evening is forecast as partly cloudy. I'm hoping to get at least one good hour in, fingers crossed. It's a long drive home, so I won't have more than three hours to image, max. Will let everyone know how it goes.

SteveInNZ wrote in post #15585302
You've almost tempted me to buy a roll of film myself if it clears up this weekend.

Exact mutual feeling here too.
Only I have some left over films from a decade back in my freezer that I need to bring back to room temperature and go for the adventure.

jblaschke wrote in post #15585343
Not sure how long I'm going to stay out. The day's supposed to be clear, but the evening is forecast as partly cloudy. I'm hoping to get at least one good hour in, fingers crossed. It's a long drive home, so I won't have more than three hours to image, max. Will let everyone know how it goes.

Where is your desired location?
From my own experience with Mojave desert I can tell you that no matter how day looks like, except some 25-30 nights per year, remaining nights are all clear. Only you don't want to have moon on the night of photography so don't forget to check with moon calender (New moon this month is Feb 11).

Then I was thinking about it and should I head for a night of adventure, I will surely take several Manual B lockable camera bodies with me. It is the time that is most handicap in your equation so multiple bodies, multiple views and direction should be a wise way to deal with that.

Don't worry of ambient light. With few stop higher (Probably F 8 or 11) you should have a beautiful jet black sky background even if shutter is open although the night. Several camera bodies can be good for the fact that you can make a good range of bracketing with several of them so you don't have to return soon.

As said, I am very eager to see your result. All the best.

Only I have some left over films from a decade back in my freezer that I need to bring back to room temperature and go for the adventure.

Off topic but brings back memories. Buying film close to or just over the expiration
date and into the freezer. The good old days, don't miss them at all just give a CF card.

Appreciated Furlan.
Thanks God still there are good people out there that understand me
Used to do exactly that preserved indefinite and really good color saturation when needed that way.
I used to like Fujichrome better over Kodak but then would never say No to any.

I was going out to shoot in rural Texas. Not west Texas, but dark enough and away from the big-city light domes. Alas, clouds rolled in starting at 6 p.m. so I didn't get to shoot any sky shots at all. Will keep an eye on the weather forecast and make another attempt as spring progresses.

Sorry to hear about the Clouds.
Murphy's law once again.
At least it's better here than East cost like Boston or New Haven
West cost is having a week forecast of clear sky and raising temperature upto ~80s...Must wait and see.