Astro shot at DVinfo.net

Perry Mack · November 12th, 2002, 08:37 PM

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum,and will be purchasing a Sony PD 150 to
be doing commercials,PSA's,and other good stuff with.
Right now,I have an Idea for a commercial,and would like to see
if I could get a wide angle view of the night sky-stars visible
and clear if possible.I realize I have to have a clear night of course,but I'm wondering if the Century adaptors would be best
for this,or if any other adaptors would be better.
Thanks,and look forward to the replies.

Rob Lohman · November 13th, 2002, 08:13 AM

I'm wondering whether you'll have enough light from the stars...
Give it a try! Nothing beats testing yourself. I've never tried it
with my XL1s. Will do that sometime. Good luck!

Mike Rehmus · November 13th, 2002, 11:28 AM

I think you would be better served to find the program, Universe, which will generate a starfield much better than you can tape. If you need one to 'twinkle,' you might put a still frame of the night sky in After Effects and move generate a random patterned alpha channel around the visual field to create the twinkle.

In reality, the stars subtend just about a pixel at best and that means you will get a bright blinking point of light for each star. No variety and, in general, pretty ugly.

Otherwise, wide is probably not what you want. Telephoto might give you a decent frame or two with some stars actually looking like stars. Make it quick because the Earth's rotation will cause them to swing across the field of view at a noticable rate.

Perry Mack · November 13th, 2002, 05:35 PM

Mike and Rob,

Thank you for the replies.Mike,I think you may have the best idea-
is the Universe program a software,or a specific tape of images
of the universe? Otherwise,when my Century Optics come in,
will give that a shot also and let you know how it came out.

Mike Rehmus · November 13th, 2002, 09:30 PM

Universe is, I think, freeware. I downloaded a copy some time ago. Try a search for it. Or go to Jumbo or some other software nexus.

Unfortunately, I had a C-drive crash some time ago and lost the program myself.

November 12th, 2002, 08:37 PM	#1
Perry Mack New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 14	Astro shot Hello all, I'm new to the forum,and will be purchasing a Sony PD 150 to be doing commercials,PSA's,and other good stuff with. Right now,I have an Idea for a commercial,and would like to see if I could get a wide angle view of the night sky-stars visible and clear if possible.I realize I have to have a clear night of course,but I'm wondering if the Century adaptors would be best for this,or if any other adaptors would be better. Thanks,and look forward to the replies.

November 13th, 2002, 08:13 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I'm wondering whether you'll have enough light from the stars... Give it a try! Nothing beats testing yourself. I've never tried it with my XL1s. Will do that sometime. Good luck! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 13th, 2002, 11:28 AM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I think you would be better served to find the program, Universe, which will generate a starfield much better than you can tape. If you need one to 'twinkle,' you might put a still frame of the night sky in After Effects and move generate a random patterned alpha channel around the visual field to create the twinkle. In reality, the stars subtend just about a pixel at best and that means you will get a bright blinking point of light for each star. No variety and, in general, pretty ugly. Otherwise, wide is probably not what you want. Telephoto might give you a decent frame or two with some stars actually looking like stars. Make it quick because the Earth's rotation will cause them to swing across the field of view at a noticable rate. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 13th, 2002, 05:35 PM	#4
Perry Mack New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 14	Astro shot Mike and Rob, Thank you for the replies.Mike,I think you may have the best idea- is the Universe program a software,or a specific tape of images of the universe? Otherwise,when my Century Optics come in, will give that a shot also and let you know how it came out.

November 13th, 2002, 09:30 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Universe is, I think, freeware. I downloaded a copy some time ago. Try a search for it. Or go to Jumbo or some other software nexus. Unfortunately, I had a C-drive crash some time ago and lost the program myself. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!