The *Official Photography Thread*

The want for new lenses will never end. My new Sigma 150-600mm should show up tomorrow which will give me extra reach over the Sony 70-350mm I usually use. I have the Sony kit lens 16-55 which isn’t terrible but only goes down to f3.5. It can still take pretty decent photos but new toys are more fun.

 

And that's how it all starts LOL...

 

You can make some really nice astro images with a simple tracker....like the Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTi

 

That’s a big ol girl.

 

I just have to say that this thread is AWESOME!!

Kudos ya’ll!!

 

If that's a Sigma 100-400 E mount I have the same and it's a heavy-duty monster. LOL. Love it tho.
Zim
CCC shelter, Babler SP, Missouri. Built around 1938, 4 stone fire places.

 

Even bigger - the 150-600mm.

 

Oh lawdy. I'll excuse myself now. Ahahahahaha.
Nice lens Sir.
Zim

 

It’s nice to have the reach for wildlife but it’s definitely not lightweight or compact.

 

Ok.. please don't hate me for using a phone instead of a camera, but I need some help... well more like pointed in the right direction.

I took this photo below with my phone... more specifically a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, sitting on a homemade fixed stand. I KNOW I can do better, I just don't know or understand the settings I should be using. I'm sure there's some editing that can be done, so suggestions on where I can learn about that would be welcomed as well.

Lastly, I honestly didn't realize how many stars there are!!




Here's the settings of this photo.

 

Download the expert RAW app and then use the Astro photo mode. Put it on a tripod, and set at least a 2-second timer because if you've have it set to immediately start taking the photo after you press the shutter button the phone and tripod can wiggle a little so it's better to give it a little time with the timer to stop moving.

 

How much can you adjust the camera settings on the phone?

At 24mm try a 15-25 second exposure with an ISO between 2000-4000.

 

What specifically is it you're trying to do better?

 

I am using Expert Raw. This was the very first photo I took with it. Thank you for the suggestion on setting the timer!

I'm not sure how much I can adjust but I will take a look now and report back! Thank you!

 

Better photo?

 

This button right here is for the astrophoto mode. You can adjust how long it holds the shutter open for with the default starting at 4 minutes.

 

This was a 4 minute exposure at midnight with the following settings using Expert RAW on my S22.





I set it for a 10 second delay and propped it up on my patio door. The 4 minute exposure was long enough to make it look like daytime and the stars only show up in the reflection on the glass.

 

I haven't done too much star photography recently but here is my last trip doing it where I I was practicing and learning

 

This is with a “real” camera at 24mm f2.8, 25 second exposure and ISO 2500. If your settings are adjustable the cellphone will give you pretty decent results. Play with the exposure time until you see the stars start to streak and then dial it back. With a small cell phone sensor you might have to ramp up ISO to compensate.

 

I am using the Astro Mode, I have it set at 10 minutes. I just set the 2 second timer as suggested. As you can see from this screenshot, the ISO is not adjustable in this configuration.



Here's attempt #2



Edited with the Samsung Gallery editor on my phone.

Light Balance 50
Brightness 100
Contrast 100
Sharpness 100