Astro

soupdragon

soupdragon

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Tony
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Anyone done astro withe film?
More to the point, is it possible.
If so I could really use some hints, tips or guidance.
I'll be using a 40mm lens on a Hasselblad loaded with Velvia 50 tripod mounted.
 
What kind of Astro? Have you pointed your light meter at the night sky? It might work for the moon, which is bright enough to fall into the "normal" sort of exposure range and for star trails.

For the milkyway IIRC I have used 20-30 seconds, f2.8 at ISO 1600 to 3200 with a 16mm lens so with reciprocity you probably have no chance of sharp pin-point stars. Again IIRC to avoid trailing the advice is that the shutter speed should not exceed 500/focal length so that would be 12.4 seconds for 40mm
 
soupdragon said:
1. Anyone done astro withe film?
2. More to the point, is it possible.
3. If so I could really use some hints, tips or guidance.
4. I'll be using a 40mm lens on a Hasselblad loaded with Velvia 50 tripod mounted.
Click to expand...


1. Yes (but a while ago!)
2. See 1...
3. Similar to digital but without the constraint of a limited shutter open time that digital can impose or the extra noise that long exposures often add to digital files. Basically, as wide an aperture as possible and as long an exposure as you need (for star trails). Focal length depends on what angle of view you want.
4. Not sure how much mirror slap and/or shutter vibration Hassies have but I'd be tempted to use a black flag over the front of the lens for a couple of seconds so any vibrations died away before the actual exposure started.
 
BTW why on earth Velvia 50? Surely you pick a film for the scene rather than trying to torture yourself with a low ISO film for something very dark?
 
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sirch said:
What kind of Astro? Have you pointed your light meter at the night sky? It might work for the moon, which is bright enough to fall into the "normal" sort of exposure range and for star trails.

For the milkyway IIRC I have used 20-30 seconds, f2.8 at ISO 1600 to 3200 with a 16mm lens so with reciprocity you probably have no chance of sharp pin-point stars. Again IIRC to avoid trailing the advice is that the shutter speed should not exceed 500/focal length so that would be 12.4 seconds for 40mm
Click to expand...
I've never done astro before so this is all new.
I would like to at least have a go at the milky way.
Star trails would be one to have a go at but I'm not sure how that'll work with film.
 
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Nod said:
1. Yes (but a while ago!)
2. See 1...
3. Similar to digital but without the constraint of a limited shutter open time that digital can impose or the extra noise that long exposures often add to digital files. Basically, as wide an aperture as possible and as long an exposure as you need (for star trails). Focal length depends on what angle of view you want.
4. Not sure how much mirror slap and/or shutter vibration Hassies have but I'd be tempted to use a black flag over the front of the lens for a couple of seconds so any vibrations died away before the actual exposure started.
Click to expand...
Mirror slap is minimal with a Hassy as I use pre-release or mirror up as everyone else calls it.
I have a choice of only two focal lengths, 40 or 80mm. I guess it depends on how many peripheral light sources there are around as to what I use.
 
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sirch said:
BTW why on earth Velvia 50? Surely you pick a film for the scene rather than trying to torture yourself with a low ISO film for something very dark?
Click to expand...
I'm not really sure. I just assumed the lower iso would be best for very long exposures.
 
If you want to get the Milky Way with a long exposure then you're going to need some sort of motorised drive, even with a very wide lens, otherwise you'll just get star trails. Light pollution is also something to consider if you live anywhere near civilisation.

I remeber doing some film astro stuff back in the 90s - comet Hale Bopp, plus some constellations - I still have the prints. I like them for the reminder of the experience, but they're not particularly good pictures. I could maybe get more from the negs if I scanned them and processed them in Photoshop though I suppose.

I think Astro is an area where digital makes it much simpler. That said, there are many beautiful film astro photos out there too.
 
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FishyFish said:
I think Astro is an area where digital makes it much simpler.
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For stacking and high ISO stuff, I'd agree but for star trails, film has its advantages too!

Should have said to the OP that star trails look better (IMO) when the Pole Star is in the shot as it gives the trails a centre of rotation.
 
Astro is certainly easier on digital for sure.

With Velvia 50 you are going to get some good star trail exposure times. On ASA200 I've been limited to around 30-40 minutes maximum at around f/8 which isn't really long enough in all honesty to get really good trails - obviously facing south the stars do "move faster" too which may help.

You aren't going to shoot much else in all honesty at ASA50.
 
Hi Tony,

Did you check jase.film profile on Instagram? You can learn a lot about film astrophotography there. :)
 
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