Tonopah, Nevada - night sky photography - tips please

Taking a last minute trip this weekend up to Tonopah,
they say that they have the "darkest skies" in N. America...
going to try some night / stars photography...

I've recently bought a Rebel XS, 18-55 IS lens...

The first attempts were somewhat disappointing (down here in S. Nevada)
after joining the forum, I've learned that turning off the IS is important, so I'll definitely
be doing that this time...

I thought I read also, that "infinity" isn't exactly at the limit of the barrel rotation on the lens,
is this so? I had a difficult time even seeing the stars/milky way through the viewfinder last time, so I just rotated the barrel to what I thought was infinity.

Any pointers for a more successful shot this time?

Especially, how do you frame the subject, when you really can't even see the subject?

Last time, I just "best guessed", aimed the camera, locked off the tripod and shot.

thanks!

Bill

no image for me..

nor for me..........

Wayne

Bill, sounds like an awesome time under some very dark skies. Sorry I didn't get this to you before the weekend but it maybe next time out some of this will be of use.

Below is a simple approach to focus on stars:

It's important to adjust the diopter dial on your camera viewfinder while looking at a focused bright star. Use the method below and also tweak the dial for your eyes. The diopter setting will be different on stars than it is on terrestrial objects.

This method uses the camera's auto focus system, which I've found to be very accurate and it's quick. Once you've done it a few times it'll be second nature.

1) Set lens to AF.
2) Point camera at a very bright star and press shutter half way with focus point on star.
3) Once the star has snapped to focus, carefully reset lens to MF and be sure camera is set on Manual. Don't touch the lens anywhere else while sliding the switch.
4) Point camera to area of sky you are imaging. Be very careful not to touch the lens while composing your shot.
6) Using the camera delay timer or a remote switch(best) to trigger and end your exposures will help with vibration. A sturdy tripod is a must for any type of night shooting.

I use the above method at various focal lengths when using lenses and its very effective. It's a quick way to get focused without repeated test images and focus tweaking. If the outside temps vary considerable through the night you'll need to repeat the process periodically as focus will shift.

As far as finding objects goes, a guide of the constellations will help get you close and at 18-55mm that's good enough. Just research the objects within the constellations that will be up on the night you shoot and make some notes. You can pick up a planisphere cheap (astronomy shops, Discovery Store, etc.) which will help locate things on any given night, at any time of the year. Just select the one that applies to the Latitude needed.
http://www.skymaps.com​/store/cat04.html

Clear skies and good shootin'.

blakeG! wrote in post #10758204
no image for me..

WMS wrote in post #10767546
nor for me..........

Wayne

I'm not sure that there is supposed to be an image is there?

I'd be interested in hearing how it went. I might be going there next month. It'll be my first visit to a dark sky location.

Thanks for the tips...

I just got back, the night shooting wasn't that great...
Saturday night there was an extremely bright moon, you could almost read a newspaper under the moonlight!

Sunday night, there were clouds over Tonopah, in addition to the bright moon...
not exactly the best for star photography...

OTOH, once you get past the outskirts of town, there is NOTHING out there except, sky and desert!

I may have to research moon phases, and plan a trip out there when there isn't a bright moon interfering with things...

I did try a few shots, I'll try and post them later...

thanks again!

Yeah, the actual town of Tonopah isn't that exceptional from a dark sky perspective: http://www.jshine.net …lution=true&sel​ected_id=1

But if you drive out into the desert a little bit, you're in some of the darkest areas in the US.

And no moon always helps no matter where you're at.