Long Exposures

MerguvinMerguvin
edited July 2012 Posted in » Canon 60D Forum
Hey guys I recently bought my first DSLR, a 60D with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses.
I'm looking at taking some long exposure pictures (mostly at dusk and night time), and eventually I'd like to move into some astrophotography, but thats later on down the line.

Any advice on settings I should be using to get some good results?

Comments

  • StalwartjahStalwartjah
    edited July 2012
    "Good" results is a relative term.

    For me, I just put it in "M" and play with the settings (tripod and remote/delay). I try to keep the ISO under 800 and then adjust the shutter speed up or down for how much light I'd like.

    I have a shot that was almost completely shot in the dark and it looks like a sunrise. In editing, I picked up on more of the reds/yellows and reduced the blues. My issue is focusing at night on a darker object. There's often not enough light to see the subject I'm wanting to focus on. I'm thinking of carrying a flood light so that I can shine it on the target and focus, then kill the light and shoot.

    There's all kinds of fun to be had.

    Just watch out for coyotes. I almost had a run in with some while out night shooting. Boy, those yelps were really close.
  • RoldzRoldz
    edited July 2012
    If you're on club/indoor setting and can't use a tripod I suggest shoot raw and post process. Don't be afraid to shoot high ISO 3200 and up.
  • MerguvinMerguvin
    edited July 2012
    Cheers for the warning about the coyotes Stalwartjah, although living in Australia I don't think I will have a problem. It's more the snakes, spiders and occasional drop bears that I will have to keep an eye out for.

    Anyways, I tried what you suggested last night while taking pics of some stars, and got some "good" results, but they suffered a bit from camera shake.
    The tripod I used wasnt really suited to the weight of a DSLR but after some MacGuyver style tweaking I managed to get a few shots that looked half decent.

    Next on the list, new tripod!
  • chicao77chicao77
    edited September 2012
    @Merguvin , Your shot's shaking in this case may be caused by the camera mirror opening movement. You can setup your 60D to first open the mirror and then capture the shot. You can have a look at this topic and learn how to setup the mirror lock-up feature of your camera : http://forums.cameratips.com/discussion/24/settings-to-use-when-capturing-the-moon.
  • withnswithns
    edited September 2012
    I find that for night shots, to compose the image, up the ISO as high as it goes. Then when you have the composition you want, you drop back the ISO and drop the shutter speed to where you need it to get the clear shots. Too long of a shutter speed and you will get star trails; too short and you wont get the stars.

    Here is the link to some Milky way shots I took last weekend. Some have been light painted as well so you can see the trees.


    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150960146971599.401390.639661598&type=3&l=a5dc3e5db4

    I also have to dodge those drop bears, but this is the best time of year for the milky way here.
  • AustonAuston
    edited September 2012
    @withns - The photos are awesome. I love them. I have started getting into Astrophotography. I will surely use your method.

    What lens do you use, if I may ask?
  • withnswithns
    edited September 2012
    That is using just the 18-200mm kit lens that came with the camera. I do have my eye on a Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX 11-16mm f/2.8 lens. I have a serious case of lens lust. I wonder if there is a support group somewhere.

    Here are some star trails I have done.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/62213854@N04/sets/72157629861080414/

    Seriously I need a life.
  • withnswithns
    edited October 2012
    Well I just bought the Canon 10-22mm and I just had to do another star trail:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/62213854@N04/8069944158/
  • AustonAuston
    edited October 2012
    @withins the photo was awesome!
  • FunveeFunvee
    edited November 2012
    Are you doing those star trails with a 60D? I can't get my shutter to anything longer than 30". How do you do it?
  • withnswithns
    edited November 2012
    @Funvee, you have to put the camera into bulb mode and use a cable remote or intervalometer.

    The intervalometer you program to take the photo as long as you want (if you want to leave it open) as often as you want (if you want to layer like I do).

    These topics might help.

    http://forums.cameratips.com/discussion/comment/1468#Comment_1468

    http://forums.cameratips.com/discussion/1178/camera-remote-control

    There are also many tutorials out there.

    If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask!
  • FunveeFunvee
    edited November 2012
    @withns marry me! I have no idea why I hadn't tried that, it's super easy.
    Star trails, here I come!

    Thanks very much!
  • withnswithns
    edited December 2012
    @Funvee

    Well since it is the only proposal I've had all year, and it is my birthday, yes!

    Be warned, star trails are very addicting!
    If you havent already, there is an album of star trails I have done in that flicker account.

    Also Chris Bray does a great star trail tutorial. There is a link to it on his facebook page.

    Or just go here:
    http://www.chrisbray.net/photography_tips_star_trails_how_to.php
  • FunveeFunvee
    edited December 2012
    Happy Birthday!

    Now I just need these crazy clouds to go away. It's been days since we've have clear night skies here.

    I'll definitely check those links too, thanks!
  • AustonAuston
    edited December 2012
    @withns - Happy late birthday.
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