tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post3132030894652184796..comments2024-03-26T13:00:25.188-07:00Comments on The Friedman Archives Blog: Shooting Star TrailsGary L. Friedmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816533617814819591noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-92190891934245298032015-09-17T00:37:12.958-07:002015-09-17T00:37:12.958-07:00I've been away for awhile and am just catching...I've been away for awhile and am just catching up on my email, so I'm late to the conversation here. By coincidence, however, I was checking out the infinity focus position of my RX10 Mod I camera today. The RX10 has been my main travel camera for a long time; it never disappoints. As you reported here, and as I already knew but wanted to reconfirm for myself, the infinity focus position is not right at the infinity mark on the distance scale but a tad shy of it. The focus at precisely the infinity mark is actually quite poor, so it makes a big difference. This point is relevant not only for nighttime astrophotography but for other common shooting situations as well, e.g., for taking pictures of fireworks or a solar eclipse. <br /><br />As for your straight startrails, to find the Pole Star (Polaris) in Hawaii you needed to look directly North at a position 20 degrees above the horizon, which is the geographical latitude of Hawaii. Depending on where you were shooting from on Kauai, either from the south coast (Poipu) or the north coast (Princeville) of the island, a clear view of Polaris so close to the horizon can be blocked by mountains or by distant clouds. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-91484709443654136132015-08-31T09:41:19.535-07:002015-08-31T09:41:19.535-07:00Very good post. I have been taking mu RX100 on vac...Very good post. I have been taking mu RX100 on vacation for sometime. Started with the RX100 and now up to the IV. About 6 months ago I added the RX10 to along with the RX100 and RX1. These are the only three cameras I take on vacation. I also take one or more of these to social events. These cameras are great. Can't wait for the book.alamomikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06472111744030166934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-87825430857071630462015-08-30T23:20:00.187-07:002015-08-30T23:20:00.187-07:00Great post! Brought back memories from my film day...Great post! Brought back memories from my film days using the "B" setting. Thanks much for telling how do it with digital! <br />PS can't wait to try the Spam flavored macadamia nuts! :-) Michael Vnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-3487512541439437592015-08-29T06:03:22.440-07:002015-08-29T06:03:22.440-07:00Not related to this, but remembered again (plus so...Not related to this, but remembered again (plus sonyalpharumors.com didn't have anything on this): Has there been any news about A7sII ? I like my A99 but would want to get something lighter with good evening performance for travelling.Timohttp://www.flickr.com/photos/timokoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-52179128770130019352015-08-28T01:08:57.324-07:002015-08-28T01:08:57.324-07:00I am a little skeptical about the need to use RAW....I am a little skeptical about the need to use RAW. I have done a numbver of star trails using JPG without problem. My view is that noise is essentially random and StarTrax is effectively integrating around 100 images so this should remove noise effects.<br />I use an app called Triggertrap on an old iPod Touch to control the camera and allow five seconds betrween exposures for the sensor to cool down a little.<br />I agree with the statements about setting up the camera. Find your background whilst it is still light. I have been known to set up the camera in the light then unclip it from the tripod and leave the tripod in position until dark. I would agree however that most of the time this level of control is not possible!Pete Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16977069068948824683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913915168052873347.post-77566037365196632122015-08-27T13:29:23.753-07:002015-08-27T13:29:23.753-07:00The question about Sony's lossy RAW format is ...The question about Sony's lossy RAW format is always amusing (but annoying!). I use a Sony A7S & A7R, both full spectrum modified, and an unmodded A7R II for astro/nightscape photography. They all work wonderfully and I have yet to see the "dreaded" problem with Sony proprietary RAW file compression!<br /><br />You can see some of my star trails, Auroras, etc. at:<br />https://plus.google.com/photos/116260312230579398213/albums/5526561973500317537.<br /><br />I also use the above three cameras as well as the A7 II for many other types of photography. Excellent cameras!bwanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14369787507268429229noreply@blogger.com