Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hello all,

I'm new to photography and to this group. . This event sounds like a very interesting one.

Couple of questions:
- Just to make sure that "Camera capable of taking time exposures" are regular digital cameras? I have a Nikon D3000. I think it can take exposure to about 30secs. I'm not sure if this is what's needed tho.
- What is cable release for? I've never used one of this. Is this the one that you use to release the shutter?
- And just one curious question, what do we use red flashlight for?

Thanks.

[quote="ndutzie"]Hello all,

I'm new to photography and to this group. . This event sounds like a very interesting one.

Couple of questions:
- Just to make sure that "Camera capable of taking time exposures" are regular digital cameras? I have a Nikon D3000. I think it can take exposure to about 30secs. I'm not sure if this is what's needed tho.

For star trails, you'd want quite a bit more -- up to 15 or even 30 or 60 minutes (depending on the lens, and the amount of light pollution, and aesthetic factors). Or I guess you can "stack" a bunch of short exposures (I've never tried that -- but then again, I usually use 35 mm film for this sort of thing).

- What is cable release for? I've never used one of this. Is this the one that you use to release the shutter?

Yes, and to keep it open until it's time to close it.

- And just one curious question, what do we use red flashlight for?

Red light is less harmful to one's dark-adaptation than white light. i.e., after someone accidentally shines a white flashlight at you, it takes several minutes before you can see faint stars again; with red light it's not so bad.

Thanks for the explanation Downtown Dan.

Too bad, this means I can't join for this one as my camera is not able to take very long exposure .

Have fun to you all

Hello Ndutzie
I think the D3000 has a bulb mode and you can shoot long exposures
Bulb Mode is named as B in your dial on top of the camera ..which means ur shutter is open for infinity amount of time...
Cheers
Yeshwanth

Actually your camera can take as long of an exposure as you want. Select BULB for the shutter speed and it will open the shutter when you press the button down the first time and then close when you press the button down a second time. Simply use a watch to time your exposures.

Instead of using a remote shutter trigger. Put the camera into self timer mode and this will prevent any shake from you pressing the button down the first time. Or buy a wireless remote for $30 Nikon ML-L3

Thanks MustGoFaster,

I tried your suggestion with bulb, and it did work. The only thing that's difference is that instead of pressing down once for open the shutter and pressing down for the second time to close the shutter, apparently D3000 setting is that it must be hold down as long as I want. Press down open the release, hold, press up to close the shutter.

I'll play with this more. If I'm confident I may join this year

I just came back from Torrance last night. It is a very beautiful environment, but one major issue... the bugs will eat you alive if you don't prepare for it. Make sure you wear some really good clothes that the bugs cannot bite through, including a hat (yes, they will feast on your scalp), and bring a bug spray. There is nothing more annoying then trying to take some great shots of the sky, only to be interrupted every few seconds by slapping yourself to bits.

So is anyone leaving early? I don't really want to stay for the night, but would love to see it at sunset

Here's something to help you make use of the photos

http://www.pibinko.org/tramalba/en/presentazione.html

Any suggestions on an easily available 120 film for astro photography? I've looked through a number of Google results and the films they suggest aren't readily available.

I'm planning on doing a couple of different exposures/comparisions between a D700 and a Mamiya 645 if I can find some film.

Thanks.

Shooting the Perseid shower is a topic on Slashdot today. May be helpful.

^^

agreed with PotatoEYE. I'm still a tentative yes at the moment, depending on the situation. a ride up and back from there would be fabulous if I can make it :S

Sounds like a great outing. Count me in.

Terry.

Hi guys. I am a new member of the group. Am interested in attending the Torrance Barrens event. I am located at Brampton and am looking for a ride for this event.
Will reach the point near to some other members route.
I can reach Mississauga if someone is coming from that side.
I am reachable on 647 987 6400
Bye!

Wish I could help out, but I am not heading north directly from Brampton... I've got a few other things on the go that day before I go up to Torrance Barrens.

Hope you find a ride!

.. wow .. it's looks very nice and it's a good idea to take photos at the meteor shower.

we would really want to come but we don't have a car. Dose anybody here have two seats available for the complete ride, over the night.

please send me a pm.

thank you!

So... does anyone have a space in their vehicle for me?

Cheers,

Dan

I can take you, Dan. Are you staying there overnight? I was thinking about staying and sleeping in my car, but if you need to get back, I might go back to the city too. Let me know what's your plan.

I'll be elsewhere trying to get some meteor shots this weekend but I ran a little test a week ago. Dew was my main enemy. I don't have a good answer yet but you should be thinking about this. Once the camera/lens fogs up inside and out, your night will be over. I'm going to try putting it in a bag (the sleeves from henry's are one example) with heating pads elasticced around the lens and laid on top of the body.

I'm using a remote to stop/start so I won't have to open the bag once the camera is outside the car.

Bug spray will be key also.

I am willing to join this event. I am new to Toronto and don't have any idea where to go or how to go.
Can anybody help me to provide a space for me in the Car for the event.

I am in Downtown and can go to any Subway TTC station for pickup because those are the definite place I know.


Thanks...
Ari...

Hi everyone, I'm driving up and will have one seat available (bringing someone along). I'm not planning to stay the night and will be heading back to the city around 2:30ish.

Drop me a PM if you're looking for a ride, leaving from downtownish (east end) Toronto.

I have space for 3 if anyone still needs a ride. I will be leaving from Etobicoke (Martingrove Rd. and The Westway). If you need a ride send me a PM and we can make arrangements.

Terry.

My new remote shutter release arrived today. Yay. The old one just stopped working a while back.

How close to the parking lot will we be setting up?

Can we have a camp fire or would that interfere too much with our night vision? The forecast is for a low of 14 degrees on Sat. I could bring a recycling bin full of firewood.

I am having lunch with someone at York University then heading up from there. I can pick up to 3 peeps up from Downsview or somewhere in that area - even better if you can meet me at York. Depending on traffic I'm guessing I'll arrive at the Barrens between 3PM and 4PM. I have no urgent plan to head home so I'll just play it by ear.

Hey ions, would you be willing to pick me up at my house?

Sure. 2 spots left in my car.

On Tuesday at DDO they say that the Perseid was on the 12th.
are there two? one on the 7th and one on the 12th? is it a week long event...

From DDO's website

The Perseids is a field of debris that the earth takes roughly a few days to pass through. The event here is being held on a Saturday so more people can participate; keep an eye on the forum for an ad hoc occurring closer to the peak of the shower.

I've decided that 2 passengers plus gear is probably enough for my little bucket. Unless someone really needs a ride my car is full.

OK, so I have an ignorant star trail question...how far do they move in one or two hours? Enough to see it in photos? Or would I have to sit there all night to get a good star trail?
I'm thinking of doing 120 30sec exposures over a two hour period (1 exposure each minute)...when combined, will a visible star trail be evident?
Please excuse my ignorance as I've never attempted, or even contemplated attempting to photograph them before...