Hi all

I was stargazing this weekend and decided to take some pictures with the K-3II and the astrotracer.

So i shot a series of pictures with various setttings just to test the equipment. Some pictures i am very pleased with and only a few seemed to have startrail. All in all i am very satisfied with the results, even though i'm still learning.

This image was taken on Mt.Parnon Greece at an altitude of 1420m where is our dark sky observing site. In the foreground is my trusty Celestron 11" SCT. The image has an exposure of 120 sec with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens and the astrotracer enabled and shows virtually no signs of startrail. Impressive result. Other astrophotographers present (with Canon gear) were also very impressed by the result.

But i have something to say. When i was taking the pictures in the field, the images in the LCD screen of the camera were looking spectacular. Not so when i downloaded the raw files to my pc. Colours were...well let's just say not spectacular. The images needed some work to produce a fine result.

Takis

[HanSolo]

I wish I can take similar photo. Great work!

[SunValley]

A very beautiful shot, love the telescope in it. Great PP work as well, white balance colours and contrast are amazing.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

What color mode did you shoot in? I usually put mine to vibrant for MW shots. Natural just ends up dull looking. But then again, I don't shoot raw. I shoot in jpeg mode only these days, so that might be why you see a difference.... jpeg preview vs. raw file on pc.

[takis63]

I wish I can take similar photo. Great work!

Thank you HanSolo. Such a comment from a galactic traveler means the world to me

---------- Post added 06-10-16 at 06:51 PM ----------

A very beautiful shot, love the telescope in it. Great PP work as well, white balance colours and contrast are amazing.

Thank you very much for your kind comments!

---------- Post added 06-10-16 at 06:52 PM ----------

What color mode did you shoot in? I usually put mine to vibrant for MW shots. Natural just ends up dull looking. But then again, I don't shoot raw. I shoot in jpeg mode only these days, so that might be why you see a difference.... jpeg preview vs. raw file on pc.

I shoot almost exclusively in raw and color mode to vibrant

[alamo5000]

That's pretty good man! I like it! I have only minimally dabbled in taking photos of stars but it looks good.

[sarge]

Really need to try this type of shot.
Awesome job!

[officiousbystander]

2/3 of the world's population can't see the milky way because of light pollution.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jun/10/milky-way-no-longer-visible-...ight-pollution
Now I know exactly what I'm missing.

[Aaron28]

very nice shot! the astrotracer function on the K-3ii is great.....its easier and more consistent to me than the o-gps-1 on my K-50....plus the convience of the rear IR sensor.....
had some fun last night....6 frame pano with k-3ii & 40/2.8XS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123743029@N04/26996793003/in/dateposted-public/

[DeadJohn]

Well done. It's normal for raw files to need added contrast and color, but the extra time processing is well spent and surpasses what jpg will usually do with the Milky Way.

1420m altitude: I am jealous. I'm at sea level and have to drive 6 hours to reach truly dark skies at half that altitude.

[takis63]

That's pretty good man! I like it! I have only minimally dabbled in taking photos of stars but it looks good.

Thank you!

---------- Post added 06-12-16 at 05:29 PM ----------

Really need to try this type of shot.
Awesome job!

Thanks! And yes go out and shoot some pictures. It's easier than you think!

---------- Post added 06-12-16 at 05:31 PM ----------

2/3 of the world's population can't see the milky way because of light pollution.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jun/10/milky-way-no-longer-visible-...ight-pollution
Now I know exactly what I'm missing.

I hear you. The beauty of the night sky is truly breathtaking!!

---------- Post added 06-12-16 at 05:32 PM ----------

very nice shot! the astrotracer function on the K-3ii is great.....its easier and more consistent to me than the o-gps-1 on my K-50....plus the convience of the rear IR sensor.....
had some fun last night....6 frame pano with k-3ii & 40/2.8XS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123743029@N04/26996793003/in/dateposted-public/

Thank you!

Nice shot of yours also!

---------- Post added 06-12-16 at 05:36 PM ----------

Well done. It's normal for raw files to need added contrast and color, but the extra time processing is well spent and surpasses what jpg will usually do with the Milky Way.

1420m altitude: I am jealous. I'm at sea level and have to drive 6 hours to reach truly dark skies at half that altitude.

Thanks. I tend to aggree on the raw files. For me there is no possibillity of shooting jpegs, only raw.

On the dark site i have to admit i'm relatively lucky. It's only about an hour's drive from my home town, so every month on new moon, it's off to the mountain i go

[Aaron28]

Nice shot of yours also!

thanks! dark clear skies & happy shooting! look forward to more!

[sarge]

My problem is getting far enough away from populated areas. Going to give it a shot next time the family goes camping.

[eaglem]

Well captured, you got a lot of detail in this shot.

[McGooble]

Beautiful shot. The splash of color in the telescope really adds to the photo.