Question for upcoming first attempt at night sky photography

I'm going to AZ shortly and will try for the first time to shoot the night sky. I live in a light polluted area so I'm really looking forward to the experience. I'm a hobbiest and don't have the specialized gear that is used in a lot of the shots I see posted here. I currently shoot with a Canon 6D and I already have the 16-35L f/4 and the 24-105L f/4. Will I be disappointed with these lenses? Just wondered if I need something faster. I was looking at Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 or a Tokina 16-28 f/2.8. Would I get better results with any of these? I know the Rokinons are manual focus (I've never owned a MF lens). My hope is to be able to shoot the Milky Way (after I find out how to find it!). I just downloaded Stellarium to play around with.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you more experienced night shooters can offer me. I'm leaving in about 2 weeks. If what I have is sufficient, I'm happy. If I NEED one of the other lenses, I better get cracking so I have it before I leave.

Thanks!
Christine

For the night sky, my experience is if you hold the shutter for longer than 15 secs, you'll start noticing star trails. The Rokinons also have the added benefit of controlling coma very well (elongation of light pinpoints) and being quite affordable for what they can do. Manual focus with them can be a chore as their markings can be off (quality control at times).

It depends what you're aiming for..

i would go with f/2.8 option lenses, smaller lens too, it'll fit alot more of milky way in the image too

on finding the milky way, on a clear night, you'll clearly see it! It's something to behold too, the first time i saw it in it's full glory, i was speechless!

good luck

Maybe you should rent it and also bring your 16-35 and compare the results by shooting the same subject with the same settings other than aperture being wide open on both lenses. With the Rokinon being 3 stops faster you will get the same results in 1/3 the time. And time is an issue since since the earth is rotating. At 24mm you can shoot for approx. 20 seconds on a full frame camera before noticeable trailing will start. Longer focal lengths will show trailing much sooner. Of course you can bump up the ISO to compensate for the slower f4 lenses but then you have to deal with noise at the higher ISO settings.

Here's a shot taken recently with the 5d MarkII, ISO 3200, Rokinon 24mm 1.4 and 20 seconds.

Are you just shooting starfields, Milky Way shots, etc.? If you are going after deep sky objects, which you can easily do if you have a tracker, I would recommend a copy of "Turn Left at Orion." In my opinion, it is a must-have for any serious stargazer.

Here is a shot of M31 with a 6D and 70-200 II on an iOPTRON Skytracker. I didn't quite nail focus on this shot but it gives you a general idea of what can be done with relatively simple equipment provided you know where to look.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oyU2​SZ

Christine - You're going to have to use manual focus with any lens. Try focusing on a distant object before it gets dark (use live view at 10x) and if using a zoom like the 16-35L make sure to use tape or a rubber-band on the focus ring so you don't have lens creep. My 16-35L has performed well up to 30 sec exposure unguided. Try using a 15 second exposure and check your histogram. The hump should be close to the left edge. Take several photos and stack them if possible. This photo was taken at 16mm, iso 800, f2.8, 30 sec. I didn't stack because of clouds. There is some coma at the corners but it could have easily been cropped.

chrisr09 wrote in post #17691754
I'm going to AZ shortly and will try for the first time to shoot the night sky. I live in a light polluted area so I'm really looking forward to the experience. I'm a hobbiest and don't have the specialized gear that is used in a lot of the shots I see posted here. I currently shoot with a Canon 6D and I already have the 16-35L f/4 and the 24-105L f/4. Will I be disappointed with these lenses? Just wondered if I need something faster. I was looking at Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 or a Tokina 16-28 f/2.8. Would I get better results with any of these? I know the Rokinons are manual focus (I've never owned a MF lens). My hope is to be able to shoot the Milky Way (after I find out how to find it!). I just downloaded Stellarium to play around with.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you more experienced night shooters can offer me. I'm leaving in about 2 weeks. If what I have is sufficient, I'm happy. If I NEED one of the other lenses, I better get cracking so I have it before I leave.

Thanks!
Christine

Heya,

You should be able to do fine with that 16-35 F4L and the 6D. No need to spend money unless you get into this really really deep (in which case, I'd absolutely suggest the Samyang 24 F1.4 for this specifically).

You should be able to shoot the 16-35L at F4 and ISO 3200~6400 at 20~30 seconds depending on conditions and selected focal length (I'd do 20~24mm on that lens) with the idea of rotation blur if you go too long on the focal length for time of exposure.

Should be fine!

The next challenge is learning to process the images. The initial capture will not be mind blowing, they never are. The amazing images you see around here are not SOOC, they are heavily processed and often composites even, so keep that in mind. There are several resources for ways to process the milky way. My suggestion is to slightly over-expose so you have more data to work with later in RAW.

Very best,

Below is a 20-second shot made with a Samyang 14mm (same as Rokinon) at f/2.8. Click on the image so you can go to Flickr and view the full resolution image (even though it is downsized from the original). If you do this you will see that this lens is indeed sharp wide open. With wider lenses you can get away with longer shutter speeds. In calculating shutter speeds so as not to have star trails check out the "500 Rule" which is more conservative than the "600 Rule"...no rule really, but something to go by to get pinpoint stars with no streaks/trails. The equation is to divide the focal length of the lens by 500 (conservative) or 600 (pushing the envelope). 500/16mm=31 sec. I would go no longer than this shutter-wise and would probably pull it back to 25 seconds or so, personally. Of course, if you want star trails...let'er rip!

It's nice to have a fast lens for capturing sporadic meteors.

A star map application for your smart phone would be handy. (I've got an archaic, dumb phone so I don't know what to suggest. ) You will most likely capture some galaxies and other dso's in your wide field images so the star map app would help you identify what you may be capturing. An intervalometer would be a great accessory for starting your camera and shooting off a long series of long exposures. Don't forget the tripod. A flashlight with a red filter helps retain your night vision (any kind of clear red plastic wrap (gift wrap?) will do)...but, a flashlight with no filter is better than no flashlight at all. If they have bugs in AZ, then bug repellent.

Bring something to drink...and eat if you'll be out there a long time, along with a chair of some sort.

And most of all, have FUN!!!!!
Ed

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xbKR​11

And some warm clothing. It gets cold at night in the desert!

where in az are you going? That will help decide what you will and wont see. Also depends on your clothing, right now we are having a cold front and gettin high 80s and low 90s at night.. normally we're still above 100 at night.

could give you lots more ideas, and suggestions once we figure out where you are going when your here..

Thanks for your suggestion. I was there (Elgin, AZ) two years ago for my brother-in-law's funeral. That was the first time I've ever seen a real dark sky. I was in awe of the beauty.

Not sure what I'm going for yet since I've never attempted this before. And I have to realize that I won't often get a chance to shoot such a dark sky. I'm trying to gather as much helpful info beforehand. I hope I retain some of it!

Hope I get something decent enough to share when I get back for a little critique.

Lovely shot. I hope I can get something half this good. I know it will be my first attempt, so I have to be realistic in expectations. I'm going to try with the lenses I have and see if I have an interest in doing this more often. If so, that 24mm f/1.4 is what I'd have in mind.

That's an amazing shot. Nothing I would have guessed was possible with a 6D. Not sure I'm ready to jump into this type of photography in earnest but I will take a look at that book. Thanks!

Another beautiful shot. I appreciate your recommendations. I think I have my gear set, using my 16-35 f/4. I have headlamp, gaffers tape so I don't bump focus ring, sturdy tripod, shutter cable release. I've never stacked photos before but I'll be sure to take many exposures in case I want to try that. Keeping fingers crossed that I remember what to do when I'm actually out there! And the weather cooperates. Thanks!

Appreciate your response and glad you think I'll be fine with my current gear. I can always add that 24mm f1.4 later if I find this is something I'd like to pursue more.

Post processing is a big factor, I'm sure. I have to remember that when viewing my pics SOOC and not get disappointed. Most of all, I want to enjoy my experience, not feel too pressured. Thanks!