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(meteorobs) meteor photog tips


Following is a reply I got in response to a private query. Forwarded without 
permission (I doubt the responder would mind). After this, I promise: no more 
photography posts! (Unless people want them!) Clear skies,
Lew

<< start of forwarded material >>

>Date: Wed, 3 Jul 96 03:26 EDT
>To: Karen Simmons and Lew Gramer <lewkaren@tiacdot net>
>From: Jerry Lodriguss <jml@astropixdot com>
>Subject: Re: meteor photog tips?
>
>
>>Hi, Jerry. I'm interested in doing meteor photography (wide-angle,
>>long-exposure, no telescope :>). I was wondering if you had any tips or
>>pointers, in addition to the work done by the International Meteor
>>Organization. Specifically, what are the optimal photo and developing
>>techniques for extending exposure times under various sky conditions?
>
>
>There are no special techniques that will help you extend exposure times. A
>lot depends on how dark your skies are.  You should do some tests to
>determine the maximum exposure you can use with a particular film/lens
>combination at your site.  Any filter that cuts the sky glow, will also cut
>the light from the meteor, so they don't help.  Fast films will help, but
>then you will have shorter exposures till sky fog, and you will have to make
>more exposures. It's more work, but then when you capture a meteor, the fast
>film will record more meteor.  I highly recommend Fujicolor 800 for print
>film.  Others like Kodak Ektachrome P1600 for slide film.
>
>Put the camera on a good tripod, use the lens wide open, or stopped down a
>stop or two (depending on the quality of the lens). Use a cable release, and
>hat trick the lens (hold a hat or piece of cardboard in front of the lens
>when you open the shutter so if you move the camera it doesn't record on the
>film, and use the same trick when you close the shutter.
>
>Sky and Telescope had an excellent article on meteor photography either last
>year or the year before, when they were speculating about that storm from
>the Perseids (I think). You might find it on their on-line web page.
>
>The more lenses you can have opened at the sky, the more chance you have of
>recording some meteors. There is a trade off on wide angle stuff... more
>sky, so more chance of getting one, but it will be at a smaller scale.
>
>Don't forget to take precautions for the dew... make some anti-dewers, buy
>some Kendrick stuff, take a 12 volt hair dryer and keep hitting the lenses
>with it if there is dew around.
>
>When you get the film developed, tell them DO NOT CUT, DO NOT MOUNT, or
>they'll possibly slice all the frames in the middle of your pictures!
>
>Good luck,
>
>Jerry
>
>
>Having the film push processed will increase the contrast which may be
>helpful, but it also increases the grain. There really are no secrets, but
>being lucky helps. :-)
>
>email: jml@astropixdot com
>Astrophotography Techniques and
>Digital Enhancement in Photoshop Tips:
>http://www.astropixdot com
>
<< end of forwarded material >>