Has anyone any experience of astronomical photography (with a DSLR or compact)? I'm thinking here of anything from star trails, to telephoto shots of the moon, through to attaching a camera to a telescope.

Hi Bob,

Only nearly a year late but I've done some attempts at start trails using Bulb setting, tripod and cable release with fixed hold for 10 mins, 20 mins and 30 mins.

The results were mixed as I wasn't facing north so didn't get a great spinning effect more a swipe of stars. I'd used a pine tree as the subject in the foreground and as it was a still night, it worked well.

Other issues really were that I'd tried it at first with shorter times and that works well but longer the better.

Not tried since last year as not had the time plus I'd need to go somewhere dark enough and remote enough to not have any invasive light sources and I'd recommend a chair/coffee (or hip flask) and/or some company!

The other thing I live under one of the main airways into/out of London and I got some other interesting effects from the flashing lights of passing traffic so to save you from having to photoshop those out unless they work for you, just check that too.

I'm going to be trying out some deeper space photo's this year using my telescope/compact/DSLR with a mount to see what I can get as I've seen some fantastic examples. We can discuss it either at club or meet up to see what we can achieve if you like?

Sorry I've not answered before!

Cheers,

Alex.