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Stars

© Jeff E Jensen

Stars

Uploaded: January 10, 2014

Description


30 Sec - f/1.8 - ISO 250 - 5.2mm
Canon PowerShot S120 - 40 Image in-camera stack


Comments

Jeff E Jensen January 10, 2014

I purposely left the shooting info off of this so that y'all can guess what camera I shot with, and what settings. Those of you on Facebook that may have seen this, NO CHEATING! #1558879

Rita K. Connell level-classic January 10, 2014

Awesome shot saw it on FB my lips are sealed #10942246

Dale Hardin January 10, 2014

Based on the length of the star trails, I'd guess about a four minute exposure.That length exposure with a high ISO would probably result in a brighter foreground, so am guessing it was not a high end DSLR. #10942481

Michael Kelly level-deluxe January 11, 2014

Jeff I don’t have a clue, and as you could not pay me enough money to ever get on Facebook, I can’t cheat. The shot looks good though, at least in the small BP version, so whatever you used it was up to this task. #10943278

Peter W. Marks January 11, 2014

And I'm with Mike re Facebook so my answer too is "haven't a clue". But now I will blow your mind: that very bright streak on the far left near the top corner is Arcturus in the galaxy Boötes.
But Jeff knew that when he made the shot- didn't you Jeff? #10943502

Peter W. Marks January 11, 2014

And I'm with Mike re Facebook so my answer too is "haven't a clue". But now I will blow your mind: that very bright streak on the far left near the top corner is Arcturus in the galaxy Boötes.
But Jeff knew that when he made the shot- didn't you Jeff? #10943507

Debbra Bailey January 12, 2014

Nobody paid me, but I WAS on FB and saw this! Love it! #10944027

Elaine Hessler January 12, 2014

Beautiful! Here's my guess: ISO 1600, F 2.8, 30 min.

I would have said ISO 3200, but you probably have a really good camera that is pretty sensitive.

And I don't know Canons, so no guess for me. #10944551

Teresa H. Hunt January 12, 2014

I know! I know!! But I saw it on FB.

I love this shot. Though I have to say when I opened it, the stars looked like they were moving and I got dizzy. LOL! #10944620

Jeff E Jensen January 12, 2014

So, I've added the shooting info for you.

This was shot with a Canon PowerShot S120. Yup, a point and shoot camera. One of the scene mode options that you have is Stars. Within that mode you can choose a setting that does star trails. It takes 30 second exposures and stacks them in camera for the final result.

The other night, I was out in Valley of Fire with a couple of the guys from my team. We all had our S120's with us and figured we'd give it a try for some star trails. We had no expectation of what results we would get. So, we all set up our cameras, set them for 90 minutes (the max available), and walked down the trail for some light painting. We came back a few hours later and were blown away by what we ended up with.

I know the next question will be: That's great, but how does it look in print? Well, I'll tell you. On the CES floor, we happened to have access to a Canon 44" printer. So, I asked the printer guys if they'd run a test print to see how it would hold up. Again, I didn't have high expectations that a 42" x 30" print from a point and shoot camera would look good printed. Again, I was blown away. The results were amazing. In fact, one of the marketing guys grabbed the print and carried it around, showing it off to all sorts of people from canon. Pretty crazy.

I'm including the image I shot at Valley of Fire, the original image was shot a couple of nights later, at Red Rock. #10944660

Dale Hardin January 12, 2014

I'm surprised. I would have expected longer start trails with that length of time. #10944790

Beth Spencer January 14, 2014

I love these shots Jeff. Now can you help me with the math. You set the camera for 90 minutes, does it just keep taking pictures and decide how long the exposure is for each shot? Does the camera decide when and how many to stack?
You think I need more coffee to fire off some more questions? These are great shots for a point and shoot! #10945981

Debbra Bailey January 14, 2014

That is so cool Jeff! Hmm - who'd a thought.. I bet noone looked at you carrying that little thing around and said "Oh, I bet that takes awesome pictures!" #10946311

Elaine Hessler January 14, 2014

Hmmm, not quite sure what to think of that... #10946367

Teresa H. Hunt January 14, 2014

Ha ha ha!! I'll bet Deb is right! #10946776

Jeff E Jensen January 14, 2014

Yeah, Deb, it hasn't happened yet. . .

It was funny to see all the reactions of Canon people.

Beth - The camera does 30 second exposures for as long as it needs based on what you choose in the settings. You can do 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 minute total exposure.

A couple of nights ago, we were out light painting in Phoenix and I tried using this mode just to see what I'd get. Turns out it worked pretty well. I'd set it at the 10 minute setting and then stop it after a couple of minutes. Here's one of the shots. #10946797

Debbie E. Payne January 14, 2014

Wow Jeff. These are GREAT! I wonder if my little Sony does this stuff. I think I have the same one as Stephen does. Maybe there is hope for me yet.

I am with Pete and Mike. Facebook takes up even more time that I am currently on the computer and that is enough time.
#10946826

Beth Spencer January 14, 2014

Thanks Jeff, this one is awesome also!! #10946877

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