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Hi All.

Im going to Kruger in 9 days and i would really like to test one thing out! That is to try and take a photo of the sky at night but the star's and sky look circular! I hope you guys understand what im basically looking at doing! I have no clue as what i need to do and i would like to know if there is anyone out there that can give me some? I have a Canon 450 D with a 18-55mm IS lens along with a 55-250 lens!!

cant wait to start at the wildlife big and small!!!

Hi Massimo, I thinks I gots what you want o do.
First of all you need a strong tripod, second set your focus on infinity, third shot using long shutter speed. You will probably have to experiment and see how long you have to keep your shutter speed at.

Hope it is clear enough!

And try find the darkest spot you can. If there is any other light in the field of view (including the moon), it will be a problem

Hi Rumuruti,

If you want the "perfect" circular effect, you have to point your camera dead south. Then, set your camera on a tripod (pointing south), set your ISO to as low as possible and camera on TV (shutter priority). Set your shutter speed to about 30 sec or bulb mode. (I use 30 sec, take 15+ photos and stich them together with Photoshop, otherwise you may get too much noise). You also get spescialized software for star trails photos that stich them together perfectly.

When pressing the shutter, either use a remote or a shutter delay so that the camera settles on the tripod from your push on the shutter button before it starts taking the shot. Remotes are cheap and I have found quite a few uses for them.

Yes, focus on infinity or, if there is a subject that must be part of the shot, light the subject with a torch, manually focus on it and leave your camera then on manual focus. Your 18mm lens will be the one to use, and use it with your lens as open as possible, big apperture, small number.

All the best!

Google star trail photography and you'll find additional advice on how to do these.

If you have a noise reduction on your camera please use it
And a full battery.
Best is to use a remote.
Google Arnoud Quanjer.
He has a good easy to learn topic about star circles/trails

Massimo - thanks for asking the question! I recently bought exactly the same camera/lenses as you (came in a great "kit"-special )! And we'll be leaving to the Kgalagadi first time end July. Also thought it would be a great idea doing a star trail photo! Some good advise here!

I don't have Photoshop yet - still using Picasa. Does anybody know if you can stitch photo's together on Picasa?

Here is Arnoud's website.

Stitch photos with Autostitch. That's free, fast, and gives great results. All my pano's have been put together with it.

Thanks DuQues - will definitely try that!

Played around with some pics in Picasa last night - and I think one might be able to do star circles quite simply on it by using "collage" and superimposing the pictures... Will have to try it. But only once I'm back in the bush - too few stars in the polluted Gauteng sky...

Hello Browsing this thread on this rainy Sunday morning in CT I found this thread.
Thought I would post my very amateurish shot of a star trail which I attempted in March in KTP.
Had loads of fun trying this, including running over to other guests in the park and asking them please to leave their lights switched off
It was also a very full moon and the longer I was taking to set this up the faster the moon was coming up from the left behind the tree so this was not taken in pure darkness
Used wide angle
Pointed South
ISO 100 @ F4
Bulb Setting Cable release
15 min exposure
Manual focused on infinity


The result was this, rather no but I was thrilled as it was my first attempt Would loved to have got more of the right hand side of the circles in but I suppose you can't win them all

Hi M

Also been experimenting with star trails.....usually do it with the good old 35mm slide film.....camera doesn't overheat, but eats up the lithium batteries! Tried a few in KTP with the DSLR 35-80 lens, think I left it on F8, focus infinity, tripod, aimed due South, exposed for 30min.....unfortunately overdid the torch work on the tree, and needed more space for the sky......thats why we keep going back!....Good luck!

Ho Jo
I so enjoyed doing this and can't wait to get back to give it another bash. It is sure trial and error! ! Just always afraid of chowing up all the battery power especially when in a Wilderness Camp.
BTW , was your shot taken at Grootkolk ? Looks like THE tree at the waterhole.

Sorry Dreamer....just caught up on this post now.....most def Grootkolk!!!!!!!

Hey,

I think they are called star trails. Enjoy.

PS. Have tried in Kruger and you are going to need a full battery that will last for a long time...

KC