Milky way shots settings

[Dom1961]

Well.... Got my 100d on Saturday, and so far I love it! But main reason for getting a dslr was for milky way shots, what settings should I use for static tripod shots with a 18-55mm lens? And what mode "M"?

Thanks

Dom

[Atreta]

You could try it at 18mm and about 20s exposures, and iso 800 in mode M depending on how high it is in the sky and on your light pollution. If you get trailing you need to lower the exposure time till you get the least trailing. It's nice too to frame landscapes to make a nice composition. Please post your pictures here when you get them and have fun

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Here's an example shot at f3.5, 30 seconds and ISO 3200. ISO 3200 is usable with the kit lens if you apply heavy noise reduction in the Canon software (Digital Photo Professional).

[Dom1961]

Sorry, one more question as the moon is out tonight so no milky way shots, how long does an exposure need to be for good star trail shots, and will it need any post processing?

[Atreta]

You may take for instance several 15s pictures with your fixed tripod and use a small program to make the stacking(correct if i am wrong). I used to use http://www.startrails.de/html/software.html but don't know why it stopped loading the pictures for me.

[ngwillym]

Here's a good article.

http://www.cloudynights.com/page/articles/cat/articles/dslr-astrophotography-untracked-r3002

Neil