I think the only camera made specialized for astrophotography is the Canon EOS 20Da. But it need to be ordered in advance.

I had seen result from 350D at ISO800 (for astrophotography), which is pretty good (Given the fact the guy dunno much). But I bet the 20Ds can be better.

Wow... How come the vigneting shape look like a heart shape? Very romantic picture!

I hope I can join you guys in shooting some astro related pictures to complete my collection. I have some crazy ideas in my mind.

But few stupid questions here;

(1) Where do you guys shoot around KL/PJ? You go somewhere up hill?

(2) Are you willing to take a picture with exposure of 4~5 hours and most probably will be biten by flies? I hope can shoot together, because 4~5 hours for star trails is a long time... at least can talk...

I saw the equatorial tripod-like stuff... very bulky and does not look anything cheaper than RM2k to my eyes.

One question, if our camera can manage to do ISO6400 or even higher with acceptable noise performance, then we need no those tracker, right? If that so, maybe dSLR in few more years already can do that.... And the tracker will be a thing of the past?

Heh man... I think 15 seconds is a great limitation. Minimum must able to use bulb, right? If you are serious, really need to upgrade camera le... at least got excusses to upgrade, right? I believe there are few good used camera around.

Ok... so KL/PJ will be a real problem... Hope you guys can recommend... Since I am new still to digital, I still yet to know all its extreme technical limitation like battery.. I still remember I can do around 5~6 hours with my EOS A2 with new 2CR5. If worst come to worst, I might even consider DIY with powerful external acid-lead battery pack. I believe as long as the voltage is matched, should be ok.

I always believe there are few type of photography are always pushing the equipments to its limit; be it sports (outdoor and indoor) as well as astrophotography. Every ISO as well as size aperture do count...

However it is a surprise to hear that a fine tele might not perform as good as telescope. You have your point that telescope is optimise for far distance. But most probablt I will still start with normal tele, and maybe some longer tele primes. Reasons are pretty simple; one lens multi-purpose ma...

Just one little question to my curiosity; Did you ever seen anyone shooting astrophotograph with a laptop connecting to the devices (be it normal dSLR or etc)?

Where does Mr. LKM stay? And how tired will it be to climb the mountain....? Imagine bringing some heavy camera gears, heavy tripod, laptop, cookies and other food... Dun laught laught le.. You need food and water for long hours shot, right?

I am still pretty new to digital in a sense that compare to what I know about film and my old camera, where almost every technical limitation was predictable. Ya... lots of films (money) were spent of testing and knowing the limits.

Now I yet to know even how bad my dSLR will be doing at 1 minute, 3 minute or 5 minutes exposure. And also battery limitation like how many shots can be taken for each 1~5 minute exposure... Will the camera get hot and spoilt when I approve its limit? Lots of question in my mind left unanswered.

I usually need to know the limit in order to do some planing for the shot.

By the way, I used to do some star trail before... but that was with film... and somehow under-exposed even for 5 hours shot! I found film light response is really low for low light. It is one of the thing that I was shocked when I shot a test night shots and found out digital is far more sensitive (consistence in a way) and need much little time for exposure.

It is what I am thinking. In order to capture thousand of frames consistency in dSLR, let's say Canon system. It is not cheap;

(1) One might need to get 8GB microdrive
(2) Those expensive remote control that has interval control

And some more cannot even know the result while being shot. At least laptop allow real-time viewing with some software help.

And most important, I already have the laptop and need no to spend extra. Just want to save money ma...

I heard of that... It is why I am thinking of some solution to overcome this irritating long exposure issues. I hope I can make use of my technical background to get acceptable results and will post the solution on my coming web.

If some technical limitation can be overcome, there will be new possiblity in astrophotography... Solve the technical issue, come the new pictures!

Do update us with the events for shooting.

By the way, one of the reason why I ask about laptop shooting is that the basic remote control is sold for RM120, not cheap....

I forgot what aperture I used. And that's one of the problem with film where digital already recorded all the detail in every JPEGs. I think around f16 with Kodak profesional PJA-100. It was a slight underexposed, so noise is visible.

I have a feeling that normal film like Fuji 100 that time might have different and stronger exposure despice same 5 hours and same aperture. It was really taking up lots of time to know the limits and character of each films...

Can't wait to get my first digital version of star trail.

Usually climb alone very interesting one le... can see and hear a lot of 'thing' one le... hahahaha...

Just kidding. Never alone la. I never climb that kind of mountain before... Do you need walky-talky?

I just came back from JB for a wedding shots. I notice that the moon in JB is much clearer compare to what I see in KL/PJ. I think it is super hard to get clear shots of moon in KL/PJ... should be air dirty and too much light polution.

Too bad I did not bring tripod there...

By the way, do you guys think cable release is a must for astrophotography? Basically just need confirmation (and excusses) to spend the money.

Just tell me getting cable release is a must easier la...

Anyway, most probably I am getting one la. RM120 is not really much compare to what I had spend. I guess cable release usually will be need with whatever of my shots on my new Manfrotto tripod.

Hope I did not make mistake in getting the 190Pro... Last time (film time) using 055C, no complait about stability. Hope 190Pro can do as good.

When I was testing the tripod at Manfrotto shops, I was wondering how the hell I managed to carry the 055C all the way last time along with my heavy camera bag.... Sometime even can walk about 5~8km. Now I remembered that I has a good friend helping me carrying and watching me shooting pictures... I just call him to thank him... Now no one helping me... must be careful on buying stuff.

I think my current 10D should have mirror lock in one of its custom functions if I remember well... I thought it is a default feature already...

Will get the cable release when I return to KL. Now in the North with only my 10D (no battery grip, so last 2 fingers dunno put where ) along with my EF50 f1.4. I think I make mistake of not bringing the charger.... Not sure how long it can last...

Yup... It has mirror lock etc on EOS A2 (known as EOS 5 in Malaysia). Worst experinces was beaten by flies all over my body... and nearly (I think already) damaged the car engine by driving to the hills. The grasses are taller than my car. I think I had too much guts that time.

Also too much knocks on the bottom of engine I guess. The black oil was leaking after that and beyound repair... so have to change engine for RM800... Old car la... At least can upgrade that time 1.3cc to 1.5cc, not bad also...

I agree with you. One should always spend on his needs la. No point over spend. I think I make full use of my gears... Initially ignore my 16-35, but recently use it heavily for most of my friends wedding shots. You know most chinese wedding are in crowded places... and even 50mm hard to use... And will need the 16-35 at least until Christmas... f2.8 is really a great things to have...

Only spend on those you need la... You will feel bad if you buy white elephant sitting there. I still have a expensive Hoya Super C-PL that I had bought RM330 in my drying cabinet.

I am really new ma... Just bought my first dSLR in April this year...

I am having so much fun with it. Shooting without film and no need worrying about money/cost is really enjoyable. Some more can change ISO on the fly.... You have to go throught film to really appreaciate that...

If remember well, I met some astrophotography assoc people during a the camera festival. And one of them just bought a used 10D at really good price. I think maybe can get used 10D at less than RM3k? That will be great for value for money.

Even you buy now... You should be 5 months newer than me only la... Same standard la...

This post has been edited by TheVoIP: Sep 23 2005, 11:49 AM

Wow... I am impressed!

Can normal consumer like us can really take this kind of pictures?

What is the equivalents of focal length (in mm) require to get this powerful shots? 200mm? 400mm?