Colourful stars.

My first star shot, taken without tripod @ 30 sec exposure.

That's what is important. On to the next success ...

What were your ISO and fstop for the shot? At 30sec you could get more stars with ISO 1600 and your fastest fstop available. Try the in camera noise reduction too if your camera has it. It'll take and subtract a 30sec dark frame to help with noise.

Jeff wrote in post #8835238
What were your ISO and fstop for the shot? At 30sec you could get more stars with ISO 1600 and your fastest fstop available. Try the in camera noise reduction too if your camera has it. It'll take and subtract a 30sec dark frame to help with noise.

I set the ISO at 800, because 1600 was too much noise for me. I used f8 in this picture. You would suggest the fastest fstop possible?

I use the Canon Eos 1000D.

Will go and stack next time!

RobinSchouten wrote in post #8835966
I set the ISO at 800, because 1600 was too much noise for me. I used f8 in this picture. You would suggest the fastest fstop possible?

I use the Canon Eos 1000D.

Will go and stack next time!

Try ISO1600 with Long Exposure Noise Reduction turned on. It will take & subtract another 30sec dark frame and you're camera will appear inoperative till its done. If you're in a pretty light poluted area you may have to go back to ISO800. LENR can help a lot if you're just doing the one shot. If you plan to stack, you shoot different dark frames and subtract later. Try and get some good single shots first then move on to stacking.

Yes, fastest fstop you have. You want to gather as much light in the 30 seconds your shutter is open. (f8->f5.6 doubles, f5.6->f4 doubles again, etc)

Other things to try, remote shutter release or set the timer so you don't wiggle the camera when you press the shutter release. And mirror lockup...probably won't make a huge difference for what you're doing but hey, give it a try.

I just noticed you said it was taken without a tripod...so what did you have it on?

Have fun! It's a long but rewarding road you embark on.

Thanks for the tips; I really didn't know about the fstop thing. I'm gonna try what you said

I put my camera on a table, btw :P