This is my first pitiful attempt at Comet Lovejoy (Jan. 2015). Life has been a little disrupted here lately, to say the least, but I'm getting closer to doing some "real" astrophotography soon. This was simply a quick tripod mounted shot from a few nights ago with the K-3 and a Sigma EX 30mm f1.4 (took shots at between 2.8 and 3.2). I think this one is 10 seconds at f/2.8 at ISO 1600.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/15663404873/ I'm hoping for clear skies and a chance to set up the Polarie for some longer exposures tonight with more focal length. Would like to give the SMC K 135mm f2.5 a crack at it. If I can manage a longer exposure with more focal length I should pick up the tail. If you have never captured a comet before, this would probably be your easiest opportunity. As soon as it is dark, Northern Hemisphere observers can find it easily in the southern sky, pretty high up. It is a naked eye object now (will appear as just another star to your eyes). Even if you have no guiding equipment, I would try your longest f/2.8 lens at 1600 ISO and 10 seconds or so. Location map here: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/wp-content/uploads/Lovejoy2-1250px.gif -- Life is too short to put up with bad bokeh. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
