Awesome advice there John. I think we always need reminding sometimes of things that we think we know but forget when in the heat of the moment. You're on a roll mate ..!!!
Super great tips mate! I would highly emphasize the last one about getting out and practice, that’s what usually makes the biggest difference. Also having good Astro buddies; I am glad to count you in for that ;)
Excellent suggestions and great video! I shoot with a Pentax K1 using the built-in IBIS-based astrotracer. Up to now, the best lens has been an f2.8 aperture, but it leaves me wanting more light (aperture). A friend picked up a Sigma 35/f1.4 but I've been holding out for something in the 20's focal length for the Pentax K mount. IRIX just started shipping their new 21mm/f1.4 (for the Pentax K mount) which will fill the bill, if it actually performs as advertised (marketed as designed for astro with good coma control). I really do not want to go with a full tracker, as I hate the polar alignment process (and lugging it around). I designed the star tracking system for a little telescope down in Texas (HET - Hobby-Eberly Telescope). I just want to keep it simple - and I can easily get 70 seconds of perfect tracking, which provides me with a very nice natural sky with a lot of star color - but not overly done. Plus, I can stack. The other thing I need to watch out for is - just not to do "stupid" things. I have tended to try the overly ambitious 30 shot super panos - but, I've gone back to just doing simple. I ran into a new friend, who was just starting out from ground 0. Now, after 3 years - he made a major observation last November as the Milky Way was going below the horizon - do simple, KISS - keep it simple stupid - which was exactly what I told him 3 years ago when he was starting out. Going out tonight - actually, tomorrow morning at 1am. New Milky Way season here in Arizona.
Thanks mate, with all the ways out there to capture milkyway images, only one thing matters, what suits you. I appreciate the wise words of KISS and could definitely include that in my imaging. Good luck in the field, I hope the weather is kind
Some invaluable tips there John! It’s been crazy hot over on the West coast so getting out has been hard this month due to threat of bushfires but new moon I’ll be out possibly before and after too!
Thanks for the content Johh. I started tracking with a Canon 6D about 5 years ago and spent 2 years with it. Sold all that gear and got a Fuji X-T2, (APS-c), and several top lenses for it. I tracked skies with that X-T2 for 2 years. Sold all that and got my current Nikon Z7, (have the S 20mm and the S 14-24). This will be my 2nd MW Core season with my Z7. Easily, the Fuji produced my favorite files of the 3 cameras. That X-Trans sensor has such a weak color filter array, it almost comes from the factory as an Ha modded camera.
