[itshimitis]

my only niggle with the 645D has been that an 8-minute night exposure takes a full 16 minutes before you can review the shot or shoot again.

Here's an 8-minute moonlight exposure:

see it on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/13203307063/

It is a 2-exposure bracket, so it took over 24 minutes to capture with the 645D

was same niggle with me. I might prefer to turn Long exposure NR back on after, but with D800 was able to turn camera off and back on to stop the NR to check exposure. With ND filters during day not usually a huge issue but at twilight a massive issue so good to see this resolved - especially as MD of Pentax UK had advised me it wasn't a problem!

[Ryan Tischer]

Yes, I'm very anxious to see some Milky Way images with the 35mm and/or 25mm and high ISO...I'm guessing ISO 6400-12,800 would be a good starting point on a very dark night assuming you use the "500 rule."

[itshimitis]

I'm going to be in Scotland in a day or two. normally that would be good for this, but the sun doesn't set until 10.15pm and rises again at 3.45 am....plus the forecast isn't great. Might give it a go though if I can work a star map....

[Royce Howland]

In 2 weeks I'm going down to do some location scouting and shooting in the Cypress Hills, a dark sky preserve in the area of SE Alberta / SW Saskatchewan. If I have my Z by then, you can bet I will do some night shooting with it, conditions permitting.

[texandrews]

I'm going to be in Scotland in a day or two. normally that would be good for this, but the sun doesn't set until 10.15pm and rises again at 3.45 am....plus the forecast isn't great. Might give it a go though if I can work a star map....

I think you should skip trying to photograph the night sky, and try instead for extended dawn and twilight shooting. Ought to be great. My 2 experiences in this regard were salmon fishing for a week up on the Kola river (runs north to Murmansk), a week that got progressively more psychedelic for me with the sun up all the time, fishing all day and all night. Sleep deprivation is tres weird....and one time around now in Belfast Northern Ireland doing an outdoor sculpture installation---boy, did I ever need that extra daylight! Also pretty weird....

But I envy you---great camera , great places, great beer and ale.....

[jonojono]

Yes, I'm very anxious to see some Milky Way images with the 35mm and/or 25mm and high ISO...I'm guessing ISO 6400-12,800 would be a good starting point on a very dark night assuming you use the "500 rule."

Going Africa in a few days time. Will do one for you assuming the 500.

[tuco]

I'd subtract 5 to 10 seconds from the 500 rule. A lot depends the direction you're looking but a I had some star motion when I applied the 500 rule to an 18mm lens.

[JinDesu]

ISO 6400/12800 for stars? Try 51200: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/48-pentax-645d-medium-format/267270-z-iso...s-morning.html

[fatboy22]

my only niggle with the 645D has been that an 8-minute night exposure takes a full 16 minutes before you can review the shot or shoot again.

Here's an 8-minute moonlight exposure:

see it on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/13203307063/

It is a 2-exposure bracket, so it took over 24 minutes to capture with the 645D

Mike that moonlight picture is awesome! Can't wait to try this with my 645D.

Jamie

[mikeSF]

great photos. followed you on flickr. do follow me as well.

thank you~!

Mike that moonlight picture is awesome! Can't wait to try this with my 645D.

Jamie

thanks Jamie!

[hsteeves]

In 2 weeks I'm going down to do some location scouting and shooting in the Cypress Hills, a dark sky preserve in the area of SE Alberta / SW Saskatchewan. If I have my Z by then, you can bet I will do some night shooting with it, conditions permitting.

Royce, you don't have it yet?

[Royce Howland]

No, I don't have it yet. The Camera Store had not received any yet for distribution, as of Thursday evening, and I haven't had a call yesterday or today. (I think even their demo is still in eastern hands for review right now. ) My # is on speed dial of the TCS guys.

I went out yesterday evening and did some street shooting with my D at the Calgary Stampede midway, and then some indoor available light stuff in the Saddledome for a heavy horse show. The street work has usually been workable for me with the D, but with inside stuff like the heavy horses it's very tough to get anything decent. That would have been a good testing ground for the Z. I'll do it again if the Z comes in the next few days...

[hsteeves]

I picked mine up from Don's Photo in Saskatoon on Friday. Are you going to be around Maple Creek during the rodeo (16-18th)?

[Royce Howland]

Good to hear you took delivery of yours! I've got a few things pinning me in Calgary up through the 20th, unfortunately. But I'll be in that general area of SK the first few days of the week of July 21. Based at Reesor Ranch, and doing some specific scouting for a workshop coming up in September, then perhaps doing some exploring once the scouting duties are wrapped up...

[Ed Hurst]

Thanks for the replies to the dark frame question (and sorry for my slow reply). It seems that the 645Z will perform as required!