How can I photograph the Milky Way with a crop-sensor DSLR and a 19mm lens?
Asked 3/28/2013
3 views
2 answers
0
I’d like to photograph the Milky Way and understand what it takes to get strong contrast in the sky. I’ve seen examples that may be composites, but I’m mainly interested in what’s possible in a single exposure.
My camera is a Canon 7D (APS-C) and my widest lens is 19mm. I found an example listed as 54s on a tripod with a 5D, 16mm, f/2.8, ISO 800. Do I need an equatorial mount for this, or can I do it from a tripod? Is 19mm on APS-C wide enough, and what settings and conditions should I pay attention to?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
35
Use the maximum aperture.
Shutter Speed: Use the 600/(focal length * crop Factor) rule so as to not see the star trails in your picure (Refer here in section 3. Camera settings).
For your 19mm lens you can go up to 20 seconds.Highest ISO possible for your camera that you find the images acceptable.
You can use the application: Stellarium to find out if you are in the right time / place to view the milky way.
I did take a picture of the arm of the Milky Way while I was in Chile. Also remember that you need to go far away from any city lights and close to the new moon phase as possible.
Originally by user6212. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6212
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—Milky Way photos are possible from a tripod; an equatorial mount is not required for wide-angle shots. The keys are dark skies, timing, and careful exposure.
Use your lens wide open, raise ISO to the highest level you find acceptable, and keep shutter speed short enough to avoid star trails. A common guideline is the 600 rule: shutter speed ≈ 600 / (focal length × crop factor). With 19mm on a 1.6× crop camera, that’s about 20 seconds.
The biggest factor is location: get as far from light pollution as possible, and shoot near the new moon. Also make sure the Milky Way is actually visible in your sky at that time—apps like Stellarium can help you plan where and when to point the camera.
Your 19mm on APS-C is less wide than 16mm on full frame, so it won’t capture as broad a scene, but you can still photograph part of the Milky Way successfully.
In short: tripod, widest aperture, ~20s exposure, high ISO, very dark skies, moonless conditions, and good planning are the essentials.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI13y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I get clearer, more detailed Milky Way photos with a Canon SL2 and Tokina 11-16mm?
Can you use ND filters on the Sigma 8-16mm, and are there sample images?
Does an EF-S lens change focal length on an APS-C camera, or only its 35mm equivalent field of view?
Rokinon 16mm f/2 vs 16mm T2.2 for Canon: what’s the difference for astrophotography?
What lens should I choose for photographing the Milky Way on a full-frame Canon body?