DSLR Shots and Discussions

Titan1080 · 08-16-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

Man I tried to do some star shots a few nights ago and it came out horrible. I have this problem where my camera won't focus right in the dark, and if it does it won't take the picture. I tried to manually focus which didn't work well cause I couldn't see the stars through the viewfinder, so I tried focusing on some lights far down the road and using that setting to shoot the stars. Most of them came out blurry. The ones that were in focus were really grainy and pixelated. I know the stock lens isn't all that, but I've taken some pretty good night shots with it before, so I'm not sure what was wrong. I really want to know why the hell it's having the focusing problem. Keeps saying the subject is too dark.
Anyway, if you guys have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. It was a Nikon D5100, stock lens, 100iso, 20-30 sec exposure, 4.5f. When they came out grainy I tried going to a 10 sec exposure with a 650iso. didn't really help at all.

I survived Zdayz 2013... (barely)

How grainy is really grainy? Post one of them up if you don't mind sharing. Without a tracking mount that compensates for the Earth's rotation, you're going to need to use faster ISO settings depending on the type of photo you're after and of course the lighting environment. In general, blurry shots are usually due to focusing error. I probably have the same kit lens as you and what I do is to temporarily set the rotary dial to landscape (the little mountain-shaped icon) and target the most distant thing you can see that the camera can focus on. Then flick the lens to manual focus and do your best not to touch it. Using the viewfinder is tough but possible, tougher still if you're in the city since your eyes will have trouble adapting to the dark with all the artificial light sources, even looking at a traffic light a half mile away can ruin your vision for a few minutes.

Keep your preview screen shut at all times and leave your cellphone in your pocket, that will definitely ruin your vision for up to 15 minutes if you even glance at it. The longer your eyes have to adapt, the easier you'll be able to see through the viewfinder. I also have a deep red flashlight that minimizes the impact to your eyes while allowing you to see what you're doing, you can either buy one or make one with a normal flashlight, some red mylar or whatever that plastic see-through gift wrap stuff is and some duct tape. The kit lens is definitely a good lens, probably the most versatile for astrophotography on a compact DSLR, since the 18mm level of the zoom will get you a nice wide field of view with a reasonable f/3.5 aperture. You really can't get much wider than that with a larger f/stop without spending serious cash on a full-frame lens.

Pintsize725 · 08-16-2013, 11:06 PM

The last second of an ant's life.

Titan1080 · 08-16-2013, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

The last second of an ant's life.

I used to have green anoles as pets when I was a wee lad!!

10MPlayer · 08-16-2013, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan1080

I used to have green anoles as pets when I was a wee lad!!

Very nice. Clean detail and the background looks like a painting. Good shot.

>>>the comment was meant for pintsize>>>

happytheman · 08-17-2013, 12:47 AM

Fantastic shot Tarcie! You've been really improving your composition lately!

Huck · 08-17-2013, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan1080

How grainy is really grainy? Post one of them up if you don't mind sharing. Without a tracking mount that compensates for the Earth's rotation, you're going to need to use faster ISO settings depending on the type of photo you're after and of course the lighting environment. In general, blurry shots are usually due to focusing error. I probably have the same kit lens as you and what I do is to temporarily set the rotary dial to landscape (the little mountain-shaped icon) and target the most distant thing you can see that the camera can focus on. Then flick the lens to manual focus and do your best not to touch it. Using the viewfinder is tough but possible, tougher still if you're in the city since your eyes will have trouble adapting to the dark with all the artificial light sources, even looking at a traffic light a half mile away can ruin your vision for a few minutes.

Keep your preview screen shut at all times and leave your cellphone in your pocket, that will definitely ruin your vision for up to 15 minutes if you even glance at it. The longer your eyes have to adapt, the easier you'll be able to see through the viewfinder. I also have a deep red flashlight that minimizes the impact to your eyes while allowing you to see what you're doing, you can either buy one or make one with a normal flashlight, some red mylar or whatever that plastic see-through gift wrap stuff is and some duct tape. The kit lens is definitely a good lens, probably the most versatile for astrophotography on a compact DSLR, since the 18mm level of the zoom will get you a nice wide field of view with a reasonable f/3.5 aperture. You really can't get much wider than that with a larger f/stop without spending serious cash on a full-frame lens.

Here's one of the better ones (compared to the others at least). The only thing I've done was turn up the exposure just a bit.

I survived Zdayz 2013... (barely)

Titan1080 · 08-17-2013, 02:55 AM

That's actually not bad, we can't see Scorpius very well up here since it sits so low to the horizon and you've managed to catch a decent amount of the galaxy's core. What I think when I see your picture is that you're still fairly close to a big metropolitan area and that there was some stagnant atmospheric conditions at the time. Pollution in the air builds up in stagnant air and light from big towns and cities actually reflects off of it, even if you're miles and miles away from the light source. In my experience, put at least 10-20 miles between you and any nearby towns and cities depending on how big they are, particularly when the air is stagnant. The best times are the first clear evening after a weather system passes by, especially one with rain since that will typically clear up the air and make for a darker sky. The easiest way (the only way really) to clear it all up is to get way out in the country, 50 miles or more away from the nearest big city.

onzedge · 08-17-2013, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

The last second of an ant's life.

Great work.

LunaZ · 08-17-2013, 08:55 AM

Last time I had a green anole it was right after I got my juicer and started pureeing EVERYTHING.
Looks like you've found a niche, Pint!

Huck · 08-17-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan1080

That's actually not bad, we can't see Scorpius very well up here since it sits so low to the horizon and you've managed to catch a decent amount of the galaxy's core. What I think when I see your picture is that you're still fairly close to a big metropolitan area and that there was some stagnant atmospheric conditions at the time. Pollution in the air builds up in stagnant air and light from big towns and cities actually reflects off of it, even if you're miles and miles away from the light source. In my experience, put at least 10-20 miles between you and any nearby towns and cities depending on how big they are, particularly when the air is stagnant. The best times are the first clear evening after a weather system passes by, especially one with rain since that will typically clear up the air and make for a darker sky. The easiest way (the only way really) to clear it all up is to get way out in the country, 50 miles or more away from the nearest big city.

Thanks for the compliments, I appreciate it. Tapatalk compresses the pics, so you don't get to see the full detail of the pic. It actually looks slightly better here.

You're completely right though, I live in the city and this was an unusually clear night for where I live. One of these nights I'm going to go out on old 46, it's a highway between my city and Orlando that takes you out in the middle of nowhere. There's a couple spots where people go airboating and stuff, I wanna stop out there and take some pictures and try to not get eaten by a gator lol.

I just have to figure out why my damned camera doesn't want to focus or take the picture. If it's in auto focus then it won't take the pic. If it's in manual it's fine. Don't know what the problem is...

6spd · 08-17-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaZ

Last time I had a green anole it was right after I got my juicer and started pureeing EVERYTHING.

Pintsize725 · 08-17-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happytheman

Fantastic shot Tarcie! You've been really improving your composition lately!

I've got way too much time on my hands now. :/ No bueno lol.

I thought this was a very creative, beautifully shot gallery of images. Enjoy!

Ballet dancers in random situations - leenks.com

RiCharlie · 08-17-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

The last second of an ant's life.

Very nice!!

RiCharlie · 08-17-2013, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

Traded my PW 09 for a GM 13!

Very well done!

RiCharlie · 08-17-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by didymus

More MP is not the answer. As boost says my camera is an "ancient" rebel XT released in 2005? I guess you need to clarify your question, what you mean by "clear." If you mean sharp, then recommendations for nicer glass is probably good. I always tell people to spend on glass not on the camera. (rarely does someone listen... they will often do the opposite and buy an upgraded non-entry level SLR with a kit lens).

You are right ...a cheap lens is nothing but problems...loss of color, contrast and loss of sharpness...Of course you need a camera with a good processor as well but its really a joke to see someone with a Nikon body using a cheap discount lens..

08-16-2013, 11:06 PM	#2042 (permalink)
Pintsize725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 14,196 Drives: 2016 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 211844	The last second of an ant's life. didymus, 6spd, TreeSemdyZee and 8 others like this. __________________ Tracie Last edited by Pintsize725; 04-08-2021 at 06:58 PM.

08-17-2013, 12:47 AM	#2045 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1822	Fantastic shot Tarcie! You've been really improving your composition lately! Pintsize725 likes this. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

08-17-2013, 02:55 AM	#2047 (permalink)
Titan1080 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mill Creek, Wa Posts: 495 Drives: 04 Nissan Titan 4x4 Rep Power: 372	That's actually not bad, we can't see Scorpius very well up here since it sits so low to the horizon and you've managed to catch a decent amount of the galaxy's core. What I think when I see your picture is that you're still fairly close to a big metropolitan area and that there was some stagnant atmospheric conditions at the time. Pollution in the air builds up in stagnant air and light from big towns and cities actually reflects off of it, even if you're miles and miles away from the light source. In my experience, put at least 10-20 miles between you and any nearby towns and cities depending on how big they are, particularly when the air is stagnant. The best times are the first clear evening after a weather system passes by, especially one with rain since that will typically clear up the air and make for a darker sky. The easiest way (the only way really) to clear it all up is to get way out in the country, 50 miles or more away from the nearest big city. __________________ 2009 370Z w/ Sport Last edited by Titan1080; 08-17-2013 at 03:00 AM.

08-17-2013, 08:55 AM	#2049 (permalink)
LunaZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vagabond Posts: 6,704 Drives: Project: a white one Rep Power: 512	Last time I had a green anole it was right after I got my juicer and started pureeing EVERYTHING. Looks like you've found a niche, Pint! Pintsize725 likes this. __________________ 2009 370Z Sport/Touring/Navigation \| see my journal for mods facebook: Be my friend... or not.

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