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Capture The Night Sky

Daniel Gangur

Photographer from Australia

 


Samyang 14mm f2.8 – Settings 14mm, f2.8, 20sec, iso6400

Hi I’m Daniel Gangur, 

 

ambassador for Samyang Optics Australia, my main interest in photography is capturing Aurora and the Night Sky. I write tutorials, blogs and gear reviews at ;www.gippslandimages.com.au

I have been using Samyang lenses for Aurora and Astro photography for about 6 years after purchasing the Samyang 14mm f2.8 for Aurora photography as it was such a great value lens for it’s performance, it still is. It is a lens I still use today along with quite a few other fast aperture Samyang wide angle primes.
I’m often asked how to go about taking images of the night sky so this blog post will be a quick tutorial for those new to capturing the stars, hopefully this will give you the basics you need to shoot the stars yourself. 


Samyang 14mm f2.8 – Settings 14mm, f2.8, 25sec, iso 3200

So where do we start?


There are a few things that are needed for capturing the night sky and getting pin point sharp stars apart from just your camera. A sturdy tripod is really important and so is a lens that gathers a lot of light. We need a sturdy tripod as it is our solid base for the camera allowing us to shoot long exposures, the sturdier the better as it helps us get sharp images even in windy conditions.
A lens with a fast, wide aperture allows us to gather enough light to capture the stars without star trailing. Samyang’s primes are perfect for this, not only do Samyang’s lenses offer fast wide apertures but they also control coma very well. Coma is an aberration that causes stars to distort, not something we want, many of Samyang’s lenses perform better than much more expensive lenses when it comes to coma. 

 

Aurora Australis – Samyang 14mm f2.8 – Settings 14mm, f2.8, 20sec, iso6400

The 500 rule


Technique, to help us get sharp stars there is a rule called the 500 rule. It helps us to work out the longest shutter speed we can use with a certain focal length lens and still get sharp pin point stars with our long exposures. How does it work? it is simply 500 divided buy our focal length, so 500/focal length = longest shutter speed we can use.

We will use a Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens as our example.
On a full frame camera this is how we would work out the longest shutter speed we can use without star trailing,
500/14 = 33.3 so the longest shutter speed we can use without star trailing is 33 seconds.

If we are using a crop sensored camera we would have to also take this into account before using the above 500 rule. So using a Canon crop sensor camera we would first multiply our focal length by 1.6, so 14 x 1.6 = 22.4. We would use this number, 22 as our focal length in the above equation like this,

500/22 = 22.7 ;;;; so the longest shutter speed we could use without trailing on a Canon crop sensor body is approx 23 seconds.

Each manufacturers crop factor is slightly different, a quick google search will help you if you are unsure about your particular cameras crop factor..
Personally I feel the 500 rule is more of a guide of where to start with your shutter speeds with any particular focal length, often a slightly shorter exposure will get sharper more pin point stars, so use this rule as a starting point and adjust as you become more experienced, the more you get out there taking images the more you will learn what works best for different lenses.

But what about aperture and iso?


I have just shown you how to choose an appropriate shutter speed but we have a few other settings we also need to work out, ISO and Aperture. To choose an aperture simply choose the widest, fastest aperture your lens is capable of, as our example is the Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens our widest fastest aperture is f2.8, this aperture will allow us to capture the most light. For our ISO we need a high iso to help capture the stars so choose iso 1600 as a start point, if this isn’t getting enough detail change it to iso3200 or iso6400 or if it is too bright, take the iso back to iso800.

So now we have our basic settings to capture the night sky, the settings would look something like this, 14mm, f2.8, 33 seconds, iso1600.



How do we focus?

There are two ways that I personally use. The first way is to set my lenses focus ring to the infinity mark, this is a quick but not always a perfect way. The second is to use your cameras live view screen, magnify the screen so you can see the stars up close on the screen and then manually focus your lens until they are sharp. I have a quick tutorial on both these techniques on my website www.gippslandimages.com.au





 

Samyang XP 14mm – Settings 14mm, f2.4, 20sec, iso3200

Putting this into practice.


Now we have an idea of the basic equipment, technique and settings we can use that knowledge to shoot images of the stars.

I will go through the basic steps I took to take the above image of my bike, tower and milkyway.

In the above image I set my tripod, camera and Samyang XP 14mm f2.4 lens up. I used a torch to help me compose the shot, getting the tower into the right position. I then set my camera in manual and changed the settings, I chose an f2.4 aperture as it is the widest aperture on the Samyang xp 14mm f2.4 lens. I then chose a shutter speed of 20 seconds, yes I could of used a slightly longer shutter speed but I like to use a bit faster speeds for less trailing and sharper stars. I then chose an iso of 3200, from experience I know this helps me achieve a good exposure. I also set the cameras 2 second timer to stop any camera shake causing blur from pressing the shutter button. I then focussed using the live view method and took a shot.

The first shot wasn’t quite composed how I wanted so I recomposed and took another shot, during the 20 second exposure I used my head lamp to shine light on the tower and bike, the shot above was the result. 




Samyang XP 14mm f2.4 – Settings 14mm, f2.4, 20sec, iso3200

Hopefully this blog has been useful and helps you on your way to taking amazing images of the night sky, something I truly enjoy. I will say these settings and techniques are just a very basic starting point, the more practice, the more you will refine the settings and techniques and the better your images will become. Best of luck with your night sky photography, Daniel Gangur.

 

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to Shoot Easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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