Okay so I finally managed to get a decent shot out my f/4 lens.

 

 

However, a lot of the smaller stars are missing, and the image is blurred, due to the fact that I had to correct the star trails.

 

How do you go about photographing the night sky, and how do you get rid of star trails effectively?

I wouldn't bother trying to shop the star trails, I think it adds charm to night-sky photography.

 

If you want some good Milky Way photography, try Racetrack Playa as a location :P

I wouldn't bother trying to shop the star trails, I think it adds charm to night-sky photography.

 

If you want some good Milky Way photography, try Racetrack Playa as a location :P

 

Holy [cabbage] this is amazing. That would be so beautiful in person.

 

OP: How did you did take this shot? I actually really like it and want to try it.

You need to go somewhere very, very dark.

You need to go somewhere very, very dark.

 

And then just use bulb?

I´ve tried, but even with a 30 second exposure you get star trails. I used my camera´s highest ISO setting to get as much detail as possible, but star trails still kinda ruined it. What was the focal length of the shot? I have been thinking about using my tele lens at 200mm or something, but the minimum aperture is 5.6 at that length... and come to think of it, that would probably make the effect worse, wouldn't it?

I´ve tried, but even with a 30 second exposure you get star trails. I used my camera´s highest ISO setting to get as much detail as possible, but star trails still kinda ruined it. What was the focal length of the shot? I have been thinking about using my tele lens at 200mm or something, but the minimum aperture is 5.6 at that length... and come to think of it, that would probably make the effect worse, wouldn't it?

 

Where'd you try it?

 

I live in Auckland, so it's hardly dark. Light everywhere.

OP: How did you did take this shot? I actually really like it and want to try it.

Umm, I took my camera and a tripod out somewhere where there weren't any trees. There were quite a few lights around, though.

After a few minutes, the milky way was visible without the aid of any equipment, so I pointed the camera and the most dense part of the sky.

 

Settings:

Aperture: f/4.0

Shutter: 30 sec

ISO: 800

White balance: Auto

Exposure compensation: 0

Angle of elevation: ~80 degrees

OP: How did you did take this shot? I actually really like it and want to try it.

Umm, I took my camera and a tripod out somewhere where there weren't any trees. There were quite a few lights around, though.

After a few minutes, the milky way was visible without the aid of any equipment, so I pointed the camera and the most dense part of the sky.

 

Settings:

Aperture: f/4.0

Shutter: 30 sec

ISO: 800

White balance: Auto

Exposure compensation: 0

Angle of elevation: ~80 degrees

 

By the naked eye or through the camera?

 

Hmm... I'm sure there is somewhere up North I can go...

Visible by the naked eye.

Oh also forgot to mention focal length. 24mm.

Visible by the naked eye.

Oh also forgot to mention focal length. 24mm.

 

Hmm that is intriguing.

I tried last week when I was a home, my family home is North of Kaikoura, so there no light pollution.