ISO settings for photographing Milky Way?

7 years 6 months ago #501156 by Patrick G
Seems like a catch 22 if you go too high or too low.  Is there a magic number that works the best?  


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7 years 6 months ago - 7 years 6 months ago #501159 by effron
I shoot anywhere from 1600 all the way to 6400. I'm trying to shorten my exposure as much as I can. Its digital, shoot a bunch and select the best...That D800 is very good at star photography....;)

Here's a good link.... www.davemorrowphotography.com/p/tutorial...oting-night-sky.html

Why so serious?
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7 years 6 months ago #501234 by albinpix
There definitely isn't a magic ISO. Obviously, you'd like to keep it as low as you possibly can, but this isn't always possible. If you find yourself needing to use a higher ISO, you could always use a stacking technique in post to improve the overall quality of your image. 


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7 years 6 months ago #501348 by Greg Friedman
1600 to 3200 looks like where my ISO range has been pegged at.  But then again, I know I have shot higher.  I'm always trying to use shorter exposure times, so I have shot 6400 as well.  


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7 years 6 months ago #501652 by astrodave
3200 to 8000 is my normal range. How to tell which one to use? take an exposure of the length you want then check and see if the highlights are blown out. The sky is generally bright. Near cities 2500 maybe all you can get. In the middle of freaking nowhere 8000 is perfect for me.


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7 years 6 months ago #501715 by Scotty

Greg Friedman wrote: 1600 to 3200 looks like where my ISO range has been pegged at.  But then again, I know I have shot higher.  I'm always trying to use shorter exposure times, so I have shot 6400 as well.  

I agree with this.

My buddy who does northern lights for nat geo says "go high as possible" and spend hours handling the noise in PP.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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