Astro photography with the SL2 and SVE 16-35

[Eclectic Man]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Last night was clear with bright stars, even from the centre of Reading, UK.  I wanted to photograph the Winter Hexagon (Rigel, Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Capella and Aldebaran) sing my SVE 16-35 lens on my SL2.  Despite being on 'Manual Focus', turning the focus ring had no effect.  I did manage to use AFs, and the camera did manage to find Betelgeuse, as it was in the middle of the frame, but it would not take an image with the self-timer.  It also took ages to find focus with the shutter button half depressed.

I realise I could have put one of my old manual focus R lenses, maybe the 28mm f/2.8, but any suggestions for what I did wrong, and how to improve would be welcome (going a bit 'stir-crazy' with the latest Covid lockdown, so some friendly advice would be nice).

[pibitller]

For astro photography manual focus with Bahtinov mask is the solution

[tommydom]

I did some wide field captures back in November 2020 taking advantage of some decently dark skies in Buxton NC using my SL2 and the SL35mm. For focusing, I set the camera to manual focus and relied on the top display to tell me when I hit infinity. My shots (I did a total of 16 at 4sec/3200iso with the camera on a tacking mount) came out well - not perfect. I use astrophotography oriented software to process the shots and I like this first result. My mentors/peers in the local astronomy club were gracious and congratulated me on the result. Here is a link to my result posted on my account at astrobin.com: https://www.astrobin.com/v0drai/?nc=user

Tommy.

[Eclectic Man]

On 1/23/2021 at 3:30 PM, tommydom said:

 I set the camera to manual focus and relied on the top display to tell me when I hit infinity.

Thanks, Tommy, but I do not get the focus indicator on the top display using the 16-35 SVE or with my SL 50 f/2.

I probably need to read the manual again.

[Slender]

1 hour ago, Eclectic Man said:

Thanks, Tommy, but I do not get the focus indicator on the top display using the 16-35 SVE or with my SL 50 f/2.

I probably need to read the manual again.

It appears when you turn the focus ring (regardless you set the camera to AF or MF) whilst pressing the shutter half-way down

[tommydom]

6 hours ago, Slender said:

It appears when you turn the focus ring (regardless you set the camera to AF or MF) whilst pressing the shutter half-way down

Exactly @Slender!

Sorry, @Eclectic Man, that I didn't spell that out. While turning the focus ring, and half-pressing the shutter, three (3) distances are displayed: "BACK", "FOCUS", and "FRONT"

Tommy.

[Eclectic Man]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I seem to have managed focusing ok last night.  here is an image of the Winter Hexagon (Rigel, Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Capella and Aldebaran, plus the Pleiades), taken from my balcony before anyone suggests I was breaking lockdown regulations. (SL2 16-35 SVE SL, f/3.5, 5 seconds, 800 iso)

(Click on image to see the stars.)

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 11, 2021 by Eclectic Man