You may be surprised to know you don’t need a lot of gear to get started. Really, you could get by with just a camera that has the ability to keep the shutter open for 30 seconds or has a bulb mode, and a tripod.

The Bare Minimum

However, most photographers I know are also gearheads, and I am no different. So here is a rundown of the tools I normally take on a night shoot.

Canon 5D Mark II – This is my goto do everything camera, I love the full frame sensor, and capable noise free images it produces.

For lenses, I use only the 17-40mm F4 and the 15mm F2.8 fish-eye lens. My preference is to get the widest swatch of sky I can in the frame, while collecting as much light as possible so shoot with the aperture wide open, and both of these lenses have very wide angles, and exceptional sharpness.

Image Source from Digital Photography Notes

One of the most important tools I use is a timer shutter release, which allows me to set the release the shutter without putting hands on the camera and thereby reducing the risk of blurry images due to camera shake. The various camera manufactures make their own proprietary shutter releases, and are quite pricey, the Canon brand goes for $135.00 on Amazon. I use an alternative that functions just as well as the named brand, but only paid $15.99 from Link Delight. The only issue I have with it is the lack of a power button, my work around is to flip the battery upside down when the unit is not in use.

A good sturdy tripod is also important for night work. While you could prop up your camera using whatever you have on hand, nothing beats a quality set of sticks that can be weighed down for extra stability.

This is the minimum gear that I take with me. Depending on your own personal tastes and style, you may want to bring a flashlight for finding your way in the dark, painting foreground elements or to assist in focusing, a speedlight, glow sticks, or anything your imagination can dream up to make your images. Bring a snack, water, and extra clothing for those long cold nights to keep yourself refreshed and warm. Gloves and hand warmers are excellent to keep in your kit too.

The image below was taken using my 7D, at F5.6 and 30 second exposure. I used the flash light function on my phone to paint the bush in the foreground. That night, I was hanging out with my friend, and talented photographer Tina Chapman. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Desert Moon

Useful Android Apps

When planning to photograph the night sky, there are a few things you should consider, aside from finding a place that is relatively free from light pollution. For example, where is the moon going to be, how full is it, and what time does it rise and set. My primary apps of choice to help me predict the moon’s behavior are LunaSolCal Mobile and LunaSolCal Widgets, which is available for free on Google Play.

The widget app has multiple configurations, and can present rise/set info of both the sun and moon, as well as the astronomical, nautical, and civil times for twilight. When you tap the widget, the mobile app is launched, presenting you with more information, as well as a date, and time tool to help you predict the sun and moon’s movements.

Exposure Calculator

If you’re like me, the last thing you want to do is calculate exposures while you’re out in the middle of nowhere taking pictures. Fortunately, there was a photographer out there that made an Exposure Calculator that is straightforward and easy to use. You simply input the current exposure, and set the desired settings you plan to use and the calculator will output the equivalent time.

For instance, lets say my current settings for a test exposure is 20 seconds at F/5.6, ISO 6400. My target ISO is 100, and I decide to keep my aperture at F5.6. The calculator gives me an exposure time of 20 minutes. I can quickly adjust my target settings to get the equivalent time I need.

Another handy feature is the +/- EV adjustment, which will take into account the use of an ND filter.

Star Chart Screen Shot

There is one last app to recommend that I use quite often. In fact, I love playing around with this app because it is packed with so much information it’s hard to put down. If you’re an astronomy buff, and do not have this app, you’re missing out. When doing star trail images, knowing where Polaris is in the night sky can be important. Star Chart does this by using the phone’s accelerometer, and GPS sensors to help you line up the view on screen to the position of Polaris (or any constellation you specify) in the night sky.

I have used, and tested dozens of apps to assist me in my photography. If you know of any apps that you think may be useful to photography, please feel free to comment and recommend them.

I apologize to iPhone users, I cannot recommend apps that I have no experience using, and not having an iPhone limits my ability to do so. You’re user experiences and recommendations would be greatly appreciated, your comments are also welcome.

The next part in this series will cover the nuts and bolts to planning and shooting star fields in depth.