400d, 90s exposure and no remote:

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Trifid

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I wish to photograph the ISS tonight but lack a remote. Last night I attempted it but having my hand on the camera caused a slight wobble which is not acceptable.

I see the Canon software allows for the camera to take pictures when connected and to change the settings but it doesn't let me take a picture where I can hold the shutter down on the laptop. Am I missing something?

If not anyway to bodge it for tonight?

Thanks.
 
Forgive my ignorance but what is ISS?

Would using the 2 second timer do the trick?
What do you mean hold the shutter down, surely you just need to set the shutter speed to be longer?
 
Tried a 2 second timer + mirror lockup mode? That should get rid of any vibration from you pressing the shutter release.

Edit: d'oh, bulb mode, my bad. Ignore me :)
 
I will do some googleing and find out more ;)
Never realised you could see it although I'm sure someone did say they thought they had seen it.
 
you cant miss it its bright, massive miles bigger than stars looks bigger than planes you see in the sky which it is but it miles and miles away not sure how far
 
But if it's only visible for 5 mins then a 90 second exposure won't be any use will it - surely the ISS will move a long way across the sky in that time?
 
You only have about 4 mins viewing time?

I'll maybe have a nosey for it tonight :D
 
Have a look at www.heavens-above.com. This will show you the predicted times, positions and track if all visible satellites among other things. I only ever use 30 secs max at 18mm to minimise star trailing. You can always take multiple images and merge them if you want longer. I hope you don't mind, it's not meant as a hijack, and if you prefer I'll remove them, but here's a couple from the last couple of nights as examples

A merged one from a couple of nights ago, bit of cloning to remove the gap
iss2207.jpg


30 secs from last nights pass
IMG_2470.jpg


Oops should have said, each shot is 30 secs f3.5 ISO 800 @18mm
 
leon1p said:
You only have about 4 mins viewing time?
Click to expand...
Round here you do - according to the link posted above ^^^ - maybe it's longer where you and the OP are?

Eidt: Just seen jgs001's post - seems you take a photo of the trail it leaves
 
Parish, it doesn't leave a trail, it's just a bright dot, this is just the effect of the long exposure.
 
jgs001 said:
Parish, it doesn't leave a trail, it's just a bright dot, this is just the effect of the long exposure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I meant. :bonk:
 
Thanks Dave. Leon, the Heavens-Above (HA) predictions are normally accurate to within maybe 10 seconds. If you scroll to the bottom, there is an option to show the current Heavens Above time that these are based on. As I do a lot of these, I keep a spare watch synced to HA.
 
90 seconds is the time it takes for the ISS to cross the long side of the frame with the lens at 18mm (will do slightly more than that but it is best to play it safe.) I have trees in the way so realistically it is about 2 1/2 minutes.

So any tips for keeping the shutter open for this amount of time? Software or otherwise.
 
I ve found them very acurate what trifid says is a bout what I have done I always shoot bulb,70 secs @ F8, 18mm, for that long cable release
but I always suffer from damn flipping light pollution though you need to get were there no orange street light for long exposures
 
Trifid, that merged image above is 2 x 30 second frames @ 18mm, I estimate that the ISS traveled the frame width of 18mm in probably 50 seconds, that was at zenith though (Max altitude). If you're going to try and catch it lower, you will get longer. I'd go for 3 x 30 seconds, and merge them with a clone to stitch the lines together. The merging was done by taking both images, one in each layer and erasing the bit of the top layer covering the lower track.
 
Im looking forward to see everyones efforts dont think Ive much chance tonight, its well cloudy here, as it has been most of the day its been warm with the occasional sunny spots but not many,up here in NW lancs, is it clear where anyone else is
 
OK i will add bulb mode to my vocabulary.. didn't realise that was possible on digital cameras... Oh so that would be great for lightning and fireworks etc.. if as you say you can keep prevent light pollution.

I understand the problem a lot better now.. if you have a battery grip is it any better to use the button on it without moving the camera?
 
yep you got it fireworks simalar settings quick fire the FW starts fireing but watch the firework wait for the bang till you feel its almost done and press this photo was used by the local newspaper I was swell chuffed when they asked could they use it click for larger

​

EXIF

M mode , manual focus, 4 sec @ f/11, 18 mm, ISO 100

Dave
 
bulb mode requires you to keep the shutter button held down, which is no good if you've got your finger on the camera. 35mm slrs used to have a time mode which requires you to press the shutter button twice, once to open the shutter and then a second time to close the shutter. this would work fine with a 90 second exposure as any vibrations wouldn't last long enough to register.

of course, if the 400d doesn't have this mode this doesn't help you. i'd get a wired shutter release anyway, they're handy to have.
 
I just checked out my location, which gave me this...

SATELLITE LOCAL DURATION MAX ELEV APPROACH DEPARTURE
DATE/TIME (MIN) (DEG) (DEG-DIR) (DEG-DIR)
ISS Wed Jul 23/10:40 PM 6 85 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Thu Jul 24/00:15 AM 3 79 10 above W 75 above SSE
ISS Thu Jul 24/11:06 PM 5 85 10 above W 17 above E
ISS Fri Jul 25/00:41 AM 1 23 10 above W 23 above W
ISS Fri Jul 25/09:57 PM 6 87 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Fri Jul 25/11:32 PM 4 76 10 above W 43 above ESE
ISS Sat Jul 26/10:23 PM 6 86 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Sat Jul 26/11:58 PM 2 34 10 above W 34 above WSW
ISS Sun Jul 27/10:49 PM 4 73 10 above W 26 above ESE
ISS Mon Jul 28/00:24 AM < 1 11 11 above W 11 above W
ISS Mon Jul 28/09:41 PM 4 86 25 above W 11 above E
ISS Mon Jul 28/11:15 PM 3 41 10 above W 40 above S
ISS Tue Jul 29/10:06 PM 5 70 13 above W 13 above ESE
ISS Tue Jul 29/11:41 PM 1 17 11 above W 17 above WSW
ISS Wed Jul 30/10:31 PM 4 39 10 above W 29 above SSE
ISS Thu Jul 31/09:25 PM 2 40 40 above SE 10 above ESE
ISS Thu Jul 31/10:58 PM 2 19 11 above W 19 above SW
ISS Fri Aug 01/09:48 PM 5 36 12 above W 13 above SE
ISS Sat Aug 02/10:14 PM 3 18 10 above WSW 13 above S


I just need to understand where to look now !

Steve
 
I just checked out my location, which gave me this...

SATELLITE LOCAL DURATION MAX ELEV APPROACH DEPARTURE
DATE/TIME (MIN) (DEG) (DEG-DIR) (DEG-DIR)
ISS Wed Jul 23/10:40 PM 6 85 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Thu Jul 24/00:15 AM 3 79 10 above W 75 above SSE
ISS Thu Jul 24/11:06 PM 5 85 10 above W 17 above E
ISS Fri Jul 25/00:41 AM 1 23 10 above W 23 above W
ISS Fri Jul 25/09:57 PM 6 87 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Fri Jul 25/11:32 PM 4 76 10 above W 43 above ESE
ISS Sat Jul 26/10:23 PM 6 86 10 above W 11 above E
ISS Sat Jul 26/11:58 PM 2 34 10 above W 34 above WSW
ISS Sun Jul 27/10:49 PM 4 73 10 above W 26 above ESE
ISS Mon Jul 28/00:24 AM < 1 11 11 above W 11 above W
ISS Mon Jul 28/09:41 PM 4 86 25 above W 11 above E
ISS Mon Jul 28/11:15 PM 3 41 10 above W 40 above S
ISS Tue Jul 29/10:06 PM 5 70 13 above W 13 above ESE
ISS Tue Jul 29/11:41 PM 1 17 11 above W 17 above WSW
ISS Wed Jul 30/10:31 PM 4 39 10 above W 29 above SSE
ISS Thu Jul 31/09:25 PM 2 40 40 above SE 10 above ESE
ISS Thu Jul 31/10:58 PM 2 19 11 above W 19 above SW
ISS Fri Aug 01/09:48 PM 5 36 12 above W 13 above SE
ISS Sat Aug 02/10:14 PM 3 18 10 above WSW 13 above S


I just need to understand where to look now !

Steve
Click to expand...


...up mate

:coat:
 
Spudgun said:
bulb mode requires you to keep the shutter button held down, which is no good if you've got your finger on the camera. 35mm slrs used to have a time mode which requires you to press the shutter button twice, once to open the shutter and then a second time to close the shutter. this would work fine with a 90 second exposure as any vibrations wouldn't last long enough to register.

of course, if the 400d doesn't have this mode this doesn't help you. i'd get a wired shutter release anyway, they're handy to have.
Click to expand...

Canon 400D has got bulb turn the dial to M (it's explained in the Instruction Manual (p. 71))and I always use a tripod and cable release

Jelster you need to look in a westerly direction for tonight 10.23 should go directly overhead and depart east
 
davenjulie said:
Canon 400D has got bulb turn the dial to M (it's explained in the Instruction Manual (p. 71))and I always use a tripod and cable release

Jelster you need to look in a westerly direction for tonight
Click to expand...

Not quite what spudgun described. On the 400D you have to hold the shutter button down, he was talking about pressing once to open and a second press to close so you didn't need a cable release to avoid shake.
 
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