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LUNARIA · 02-13-2011, 12:45 PM

Hi everyone!

I am looking for a good camera to start photographing the night sky.
Mostly just stars and such, I don't have a telescope.

What I would like to do is setting the camera for long timelapses throughout the night.

I would be very thankful if anyone have got any photos or information regarding the K-5 and night sky photographing.

I'm kind of new into this so I haven't got too much knowledge about what to think about.

At the moment I am using a Olympus SP560UZ, but it's not very good with the ISO settins and the sensor easily get's warm and produce light pollution on long shutters.

Thankful for help!

Sincerely,
Peter

elho_cid · 02-13-2011, 01:18 PM

the longest exposure I did was slightly over 2 minutes, but the noise was remarkably low. I think it is among the best. Also Canon DSLR cameras have long reputation of handling the long exposures very well.

LUNARIA · 02-13-2011, 02:02 PM

Thanks a lot for the reply!

I see, that sounds very promising!

You wouldn't happen to have some shots to share?
Would love to see it in action.

JeffJS · 02-13-2011, 04:17 PM

This was a 78 minute exposure. I came out nearly white as there is a lot of light pollution in the area but, the K5 is more than up to the task IMO.

Here is a 4+ minute on a different night with a different lens.

LeFanch · 02-14-2011, 01:23 AM

Wow those are really nice shots!

As you don't mention the post-processing stage, may I ask how it was?

LeFanch

LUNARIA · 02-14-2011, 03:03 AM

JeffJS:
Wow! Thanks a lot! Those photos sure look great!

I will definately look further into getting a K-5.

JeffJS · 02-14-2011, 03:20 AM

Originally posted by LeFanch

Wow those are really nice shots!

As you don't mention the post-processing stage, may I ask how it was?

LeFanch

The truly amazing thing about the K5 is not it's high ISO capability. While it's a plus what really makes the camera stand out for me, is the dynamic range. With the long star trail shot, it's Pulled about 4 stops. It was taken with an 85mm lens.

The other one, taken with the DA12-24 with my house peak in the shot is pretty much as shot. The 78 minute shot by the way was taken from the window shown in the second photo.

If I got out into an area where there wasn't so much light pollution, and had a tracking device, I have no doubt could do a lot more with it.

Quote:

JeffJS:
Wow! Thanks a lot! Those photos sure look great!
I will definately look further into getting a K-5.

You're welcome.

LeFanch · 02-14-2011, 03:25 AM

Originally posted by JeffJS

The truly amazing thing about the K5 is not it's high ISO capability. While it's a plus what really makes the camera stand out for me, is the dynamic range. With the long star trail shot, it's Pulled about 4 stops. It was taken with an 85mm lens. The other one, taken with the DA12-24 with my house peak in the shot is pretty much as shot. The 78 minute shot by the way was taken from the window shown in the second photo. If I got out into an area where there wasn't so much light pollution, and had a tracking device, I have no doubt could do a lot more with it.

Thanks JeffS!
Wow, wow, and wow again!

LUNARIA · 02-14-2011, 04:28 AM

Thank you very much for information!
I live on the countryside so I think light pollution shouldn't be a big problem at here. I better start saving up for the K-5 and a good lens!

02-13-2011, 12:45 PM	#1
LUNARIA New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Countryside Posts: 4	Is the Pentax K-5 good for astrophoto? Hi everyone! I am looking for a good camera to start photographing the night sky. Mostly just stars and such, I don't have a telescope. What I would like to do is setting the camera for long timelapses throughout the night. I would be very thankful if anyone have got any photos or information regarding the K-5 and night sky photographing. I'm kind of new into this so I haven't got too much knowledge about what to think about. At the moment I am using a Olympus SP560UZ, but it's not very good with the ISO settins and the sensor easily get's warm and produce light pollution on long shutters. Thankful for help! Sincerely, Peter

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02-13-2011, 01:18 PM	#2
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	the longest exposure I did was slightly over 2 minutes, but the noise was remarkably low. I think it is among the best. Also Canon DSLR cameras have long reputation of handling the long exposures very well.

02-13-2011, 02:02 PM	#3
LUNARIA New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Countryside Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thanks a lot for the reply! I see, that sounds very promising! You wouldn't happen to have some shots to share? Would love to see it in action.

02-13-2011, 04:17 PM	#4
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	This was a 78 minute exposure. I came out nearly white as there is a lot of light pollution in the area but, the K5 is more than up to the task IMO. Here is a 4+ minute on a different night with a different lens.

02-14-2011, 01:23 AM	#5
LeFanch Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Working in Norway, Bordeaux area when on time-off Posts: 123	Wow those are really nice shots! As you don't mention the post-processing stage, may I ask how it was? LeFanch

02-14-2011, 03:03 AM	#6
LUNARIA New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Countryside Posts: 4 Original Poster	JeffJS: Wow! Thanks a lot! Those photos sure look great! I will definately look further into getting a K-5.

02-14-2011, 03:20 AM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by LeFanch Wow those are really nice shots! As you don't mention the post-processing stage, may I ask how it was? LeFanch The truly amazing thing about the K5 is not it's high ISO capability. While it's a plus what really makes the camera stand out for me, is the dynamic range. With the long star trail shot, it's Pulled about 4 stops. It was taken with an 85mm lens. The other one, taken with the DA12-24 with my house peak in the shot is pretty much as shot. The 78 minute shot by the way was taken from the window shown in the second photo. If I got out into an area where there wasn't so much light pollution, and had a tracking device, I have no doubt could do a lot more with it. Quote: JeffJS: Wow! Thanks a lot! Those photos sure look great! I will definately look further into getting a K-5. You're welcome.

02-14-2011, 03:25 AM	#8
LeFanch Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Working in Norway, Bordeaux area when on time-off Posts: 123	Originally posted by JeffJS The truly amazing thing about the K5 is not it's high ISO capability. While it's a plus what really makes the camera stand out for me, is the dynamic range. With the long star trail shot, it's Pulled about 4 stops. It was taken with an 85mm lens. The other one, taken with the DA12-24 with my house peak in the shot is pretty much as shot. The 78 minute shot by the way was taken from the window shown in the second photo. If I got out into an area where there wasn't so much light pollution, and had a tracking device, I have no doubt could do a lot more with it. Thanks JeffS! Wow, wow, and wow again!

02-14-2011, 04:28 AM	#9
LUNARIA New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Countryside Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thank you very much for information! I live on the countryside so I think light pollution shouldn't be a big problem at here. I better start saving up for the K-5 and a good lens!

Is the Pentax K-5 good for astrophoto?

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