Is There An Easy Way to Capture the ISS?

Slagrim wrote in post #19293778
Usually the hole in the mask made to use on scopes or lenses with central mirror - reflectors. For regular photo lenses or refraction telescopes better to use a mask without a hole in center, but anyway both would work. All you need the size which fits your lens and will not fell off the lens when you focusing on the object. I would suggest to switch your camera/lens on manual focusing mode (no auto focus and no vibration compensation!), take finger long piece of electric tape, put mask on the lens, aim on brightest star on the sky, manually set lens focus (watch https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=-X27D1wOUaY), carefully secure focusing ring with piece of prepared tape, check focusing again to be sure it is good, remove the mack and your camera and lens ready for night performance (leave the tape on lens all night session).

I thank you for your instructions and definitions, explaining the reason for the hole in some of the masks. Yes I will plan on using MF as i always use when photographing the Moon. I will also use Manual mode but am not sure what ISO or shutter speed to use. Any suggestions on ISO / Shutter Speed for my Canon 90D will greatly be appreciated! With the Space Station moving at 17,500 MPH I will need to do this hand held. That is the bad part.

Inspeqtor wrote in post #19293795
I thank you for your instructions and definitions, explaining the reason for the hole in some of the masks. Yes I will plan on using MF as i always use when photographing the Moon. I will also use Manual mode but am not sure what ISO or shutter speed to use. Any suggestions on ISO / Shutter Speed for my Canon 90D will greatly be appreciated! With the Space Station moving at 17,500 MPH I will need to do this hand held. That is the bad part.

I also wanted to thank you for the youtube video which is always very helpful for me to see!!!

Timphoto wrote in post #19293784
I like N2YO.com which predicts visible passes for your location up to 10 days in advance.

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forum: Astronomy & Celestial

I thank you for this. This is what I get from Spot the Station which looks very similar to N2YO.com

For me it looks like Oct. 22 will be my best time with the highest orbital travel at 65°, provided of course we have clear skies which does not happen as much in the fall / winter months here in Indiana.

This is the Bahtinov Mask I purchased. My lens hood is about 3.8 inches diameter.

Inspeqtor wrote in post #19293795
I thank you for your instructions and definitions, explaining the reason for the hole in some of the masks. Yes I will plan on using MF as i always use when photographing the Moon. I will also use Manual mode but am not sure what ISO or shutter speed to use. Any suggestions on ISO / Shutter Speed for my Canon 90D will greatly be appreciated! With the Space Station moving at 17,500 MPH I will need to do this hand held. That is the bad part.

I am hoping someone will give me an answer to my question:

Any suggestions on ISO / Shutter Speed for my Canon 90D will greatly be appreciated for trying to photograph the Space Station when it flies by next time. On a clear sky night!

Inspeqtor wrote in post #19294020
I am hoping someone will give me an answer to my question:

Any suggestions on ISO / Shutter Speed for my Canon 90D will greatly be appreciated for trying to photograph the Space Station when it flies by next time. On a clear sky night!

Hi Charles.
Be prepared that this is not one night session, otherwise you will be "prize winner". Camera has to be at manual mode as you already know. Set ISO at 1600 and shutter speed at 800 (1/800 of a second). Set aperture at max. I am assuming you will shoot handheld with lens FL 300mm and longer. Focus the lens as described above and as soon you see ISS take few shots. Quickly increase shutter speed (maybe couple clicks when you rotating shutter speed dial) some like 1/1000sec and take few shots again. Increase shutter speed again and take few shots again and so on while ISS is visible. Review your pictures on camera screen zoomed in 10X and it will give you an idea what setting was the best and which way to go next time. If it is too bright - go for lower ISO, not shutter speed. If picture too deem - increase ISO. Now, you have an idea how to take picture of fast moving very small object: high ISO and fast shutter speed to eliminate hand shake and object movement. Be careful to go for very high ISO some like above 3600. Too much noise can ruin your picture. Experiment is fun part of night photography too.

Slagrim wrote in post #19294885
Hi Charles.
Be prepared that this is not one night session, otherwise you will be "prize winner". Camera has to be at manual mode as you already know. Set ISO at 1600 and shutter speed at 800 (1/800 of a second). Set aperture at max. I am assuming you will shoot handheld with lens FL 300mm and longer. Focus the lens as described above and as soon you see ISS take few shots. Quickly increase shutter speed (maybe couple clicks when you rotating shutter speed dial) some like 1/1000sec and take few shots again. Increase shutter speed again and take few shots again and so on while ISS is visible. Review your pictures on camera screen zoomed in 10X and it will give you an idea what setting was the best and which way to go next time. If it is too bright - go for lower ISO, not shutter speed. If picture too deem - increase ISO. Now, you have an idea how to take picture of fast moving very small object: high ISO and fast shutter speed to eliminate hand shake and object movement. Be careful to go for very high ISO some like above 3600. Too much noise can ruin your picture. Experiment is fun part of night photography too.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!

I have a friend, Richard that is not into photography, and knows that I am into photography. I have shown him some of my Moon, Jupiter and Saturn pictures. He is very interested in the Space Station and tries to get out to look at it most every time it flies by.

He has been telling me lately I need to buy a $45,000 telescope with all the fancy computer gadgets that will track stars and he "thinks" should also track ISS. He wants me to get a shot showing the faces of the astronauts looking out the window at me waving as they fly by.

I tell him that is not happening, but he keeps edging me (all in his fun) saying yes I should do that!!

Inspeqtor wrote in post #19293818
This is the Bahtinov Mask I purchased. My lens hood is about 3.8 inches diameter.

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forum: Astronomy & Celestial

My tracking information says I will get the Bahtinov mask on Saturday

This is such a great idea! Unfortunately I don’t think a $45,000 scope/mount/tripod tracks the ISS, you may ALSO need some custom hardware modifications designed & manufactured, and some software written.

I think $100,000 would be more than enough

SailingAway wrote in post #19295234
This is such a great idea! Unfortunately I don’t think a $45,000 scope/mount/tripod tracks the ISS, you may ALSO need some custom hardware modifications designed & manufactured, and some software written.

I think $100,000 would be more than enough

You might know better, and I think there are some military radars can track it quite easily. Rent few minutes for that $$, duct tape you camera to the dish and push shutter button.

Slagrim wrote in post #19295344

SailingAway wrote in post #19295234
This is such a great idea! Unfortunately I don’t think a $45,000 scope/mount/tripod tracks the ISS, you may ALSO need some custom hardware modifications designed & manufactured, and some software written.

I think $100,000 would be more than enough

You might know better, and I think there are some military radars can track it quite easily. Rent few minutes for that $$, duct tape you camera to the dish and push shutter button.

Do you think if I could do that I would THEN get a picture of the astronauts smiling and waving at me from their windows?!?!?!?!

Just got my Bahtinov mask.

Does it make any difference which side I have pointing to the stars when I use this? I am going to guess no it will make no difference.

nope. either side works

gjl711 wrote in post #19296391
nope. either side works

Thank you JJ!!