Astrophotography with a Pentax

[PhilipKr35]

Thanks for sharing your astrophotography knowledge. I think better use Pentax GPS with astrotracking. Sure beats having to carry the equatorial mount

Hi Philip,

normally for the Canikons, even for other brand like Sony which has the stabilizer as well, you would need something called an equatorial mount to track the stars.
normally, equatorial mount are much heavier and a lot of time needed to spend on Align an Equatorial Mount.

Here is how an Equatorial Mount would look like vs a normal tripod.

 

[makenshishinta]

Thanks for sharing your astrophotography knowledge. I think better use Pentax GPS with astrotracking. Sure beats having to carry the equatorial mount

Although the Pentax GPS unit works there is a slight con to that.

17-50mm the it will track for about 3 min before the stars starts trailing.

For higher focal lengths,
At 200mm about a 1min.
At 300mm about 30-45sec.

So the higher focal length you use the shorter exposer it has to be.

For me. Still The pros outwit the cons. For a lighter gear.

 

[PhilipKr35]

Agree totally even I have not taken any astrophotos, the GPS unit is like Doremon taking out from his pouch an advanced device to help DaShiong.

Although the Pentax GPS unit works there is a slight con to that.

17-50mm the it will track for about 3 min before the stars starts trailing.

For higher focal lengths,
At 200mm about a 1min.
At 300mm about 30-45sec.

So the higher focal length you use the shorter exposer it has to be.

For me. Still The pros outwit the cons. For a lighter gear.

 

[Jin TK]

K-30 & 8mm fisheye, single exposure with O-GPS1 astrotracer, 90 seconds. Taken at Bidadari Park, Singapore.

Singapore light polluted sky & The Milky Way

Before pp....the photo is swamped by orange glow from street lights...

After pp...the milky way is actually there

I currently don't have extensive experience with the astrotracer function of O-GPS1. But what I can see is that at 90 seconds, there seems to have no visible stars trails.

I agree with Dave that this is a definitely a lightweight set up compared to the equatorial mount. I can see that this unit is suitable (and light enough) for overseas travel especially if there are opportunities to shoot field/milky way during the trip. Longer exposure can be achieved without significant star trails. Glad that Pentax produces this small size GPS (astrotracer) unit.

 

[Jin TK]

K-30 & DA12-24. Stack of 40 x 13 secs. No tracking mount used. Taken on 10 July 2013 at Bidadari Park, Singapore.

The Milky Way

 

[makenshishinta]

K-30 & DA12-24. Stack of 40 x 13 secs. No tracking mount used. Taken on 10 July 2013 at Bidadari Park, Singapore.

The Milky Way

Wow!!! Amazing for Singapore standard!!

 

[pentaxguyz]

Hi all, I am new noob in photography.....

All these images are taken by Pentax K5 + OGPS1 at various dark sites. Hope you guys enjoy them.

Regards,

Tommy

 

[pentaxguyz]

continue......

Regards,

Tommy

 

[pentaxguyz]

Continue.....

Regards,

Tommy

 

[ranchy]

Hi pentaxguyz,

all this taken in SG???

 

[pentaxguyz]

Some Sarawak, some Bali, indon.

Regards,

Tommy

 

[PhilipKr35]

Continue.....

Regards,

Tommy

Hi Tommy,

Great clarity of our beloved night skies!
I think the shots are amazing !
City dwellers like us really missed out a lot at night since city lights block out these beautiful skies of nature, which when I was young I could see with naked eye at night.

Any plans for next Singapore sighted shooting of the night skies? I would be willing to carry your equipment for you for a chance to learn a bit of taking these type night skies photos ?

 

[pentaxguyz]

Hi Tommy,

Great clarity of our beloved night skies!
I think the shots are amazing !
City dwellers like us really missed out a lot at night since city lights block out these beautiful skies of nature, which when I was young I could see with naked eye at night.

Any plans for next Singapore sighted shooting of the night skies? I would be willing to carry your equipment for you for a chance to learn a bit of taking these type night skies photos ?

Hi PhilipKr,

Thanks for the comments and you are right, it is very hard for us to get a really dark skies nowadays.

Regards

Tommy

 

[Jin TK]

Awesome photos & timelapse video Tommy! You have showcase the capabilities of K-5 paired with O-GPS1 for astrophotography! I haven't had a chance to go overseas to find dark skies to see whether I can get similar results with K-30 with O-GPS1.

May I ask whether the milky way shots are single exposure or stacked?

 

[pentaxguyz]

Awesome photos & timelapse video Tommy! You have showcase the capabilities of K-5 paired with O-GPS1 for astrophotography! I haven't had a chance to go overseas to find dark skies to see whether I can get similar results with K-30 with O-GPS1.

May I ask whether the milky way shots are single exposure or stacked?

They are all single exposure and most are 5min exposure.

Tommy

 

[Jin TK]

They are all single exposure and most are 5min exposure.

Tommy

Thanks Tommy. Amazing!

 

[rx7ong]

I'm blown away by your pictures and the capabilities of the o-GPS unit.

I'm using the rule of 600 to shoot the night sky to avoid star trails with different focal length lenses..

Seeing you with the GPS going easily up to 2 min exposure.. that's definitely on my Christmas list now

 

[pentaxguyz]

I'm blown away by your pictures and the capabilities of the o-GPS unit.

I'm using the rule of 600 to shoot the night sky to avoid star trails with different focal length lenses..

Seeing you with the GPS going easily up to 2 min exposure.. that's definitely on my Christmas list now

A must have unit in your camera bag...

 

[cubicon]

tommy... noob?

to Jin, that is quite amazing ... milky way in singapore

 

[pinholecam]

Hi all, I am new noob in photography.....

All these images are taken by Pentax K5 + OGPS1 at various dark sites. Hope you guys enjoy them.

Cool stuff.
And very impressive too for a not too expensive add on that can do track for a 5min exposure.