Star photography with EM1

[benvendetta]

I want to try some star photography in the summer including the Milky Way using my EM1. I know the basics as to focal length, aperture, ISO and exposure to use.
If you believe what you read, crop sensors are no good for this type of photography, LOL! I don't believe this at all, especially with the latest Oly sensors.
Does anyone on the forum use Oly cameras to do this sort of thing and any if so, any Oly related tips would be useful?

[snaarman]

Re: Star photography with EM1

I tried this with my E-M5 while we were in Cyprus. My theory was that, being nearer the equator, we would also be nearer the stars so they would be brighter.

It looked like a really dark location next to the sea (turtle breeding area) and I used the 12mm f2 lens wide open and 20 seconds at Iso 800 plus IIRC.

Result?

Awful. There was actually shedloads of light pollution probably made worse by the humidity from the sea. Oh, and the moon was out. Bad moon!

Next, the 12mm is nowhere near wide enough for a good shot of the Milky Way. I think a 9 or 7mm would be a better deal. 20 seconds is as long as I could manage before star trails became visible. Not certain that the sensor would be up to the job if you exposed for longer anyway.

I was expecting wonders but the file needed a whole lot of tweaking in Elements to look impressive.

Edit. Yes, I blogged it, here's the end result:

http://snaarman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/dark-skies.html

Harrumph.

Pete

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Star photography with EM1

Take lots of images and "stack" them.

Registar may be of some help http://www.aurigaimaging.com/

[Guest]

Re: Star photography with EM1

We had a speaker last month who uses a Panasonic CSC for Star and Moon shots. He stacked several 5-20s shots to get a clear photograph complete with trails and they were stunning. Using a motorised tracking head he stacked up to 20 10s shots to create crystal clear star shots, with no trails.

[alfbranch]

Re: Star photography with EM1

For star trails use Live composition

http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36325

The E-M1 is noisy for the milky way I am going try again with my E-M5

how to

http://www.lonelyspeck.com/how-to-make-an-amazing-photo-of-the-milky-way-galaxy/

Here is a test shot by me but I think its out of focus

PA280806 by alf.branch, on Flickr

[benvendetta]

Re: Star photography with EM1

Thanks for the replies. I am not particularly after star trails but I will be out on Lundy Island off the North Devon coast for four days in July, which should be the ideal place and time to capture the Milky Way. Was going to use my 7-14 but at f4 it is likely to be too slow. I have seen f2.8 quoted as a good aperture as long as the lens is sharp wide open. Of course, my 12-40 is sharp but will 12mm be wide enough? Maybe not. Doesn't leave much else really although the upcoming 8mm f1.8 fisheye Pro from Olympus could be up to the job.......but at a price.