The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

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ExploreABitMore
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by ExploreABitMore »

sdhiker wrote:Has anyone used the Rokinon 14mm ultra wide lens http://www.amazon.com/Rokinon-FE14M-E-U ... B00HAF167Y, and if so what was your impression of it, especially if using it on a Sony A7 series.
Hi, pretty late in replying here, but just thought I would mention I have the Rokinon as my backup lens. I use the Sigma f/1.8 20 mm as my main lens, but I like the Rokinon too. Wider and it takes nice photos. For some reason, I like the Sigma better, but not really sure why. I think it's a bit lighter for backpacking and I seem to be able to focus it better, but that might just be because I use it more and have a better feel for it.

Anyhow, for the price, I don't think you can go too wrong with the Rokinon. It's all manual, but not really a drawback for night sky, which is usually all manual anyhow.
Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, Night Sky Photography: http://www.evanthomasphoto.com/
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by fishmonger »

My 4th of July fireworks this summer, close to the Silver Divide at my favorite lake. The small "Trailpix" tripod replacement gizmo does work quite well, even with a heavy DSLR

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4th of July night in the High Sierra
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by The Other Tom »

Really nice shot. Looks like the trailpix is stable. I assume you used 3 poles ? Two hiking poles + ?
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by fishmonger »

three hiking poles. I wasn't alone. I did buy a third-party ballhead that is slightly stronger than the big one they offer. Same brand as their little one. My camera with lens is quite heavy, as I also carry the battery grip and it has a big old RRS plate on it. So my ballhead with Arca clamp mount is more weight than the trailpix plate itself, but all combined still 2 pounds less than the carbon tripod.

As for usability - it's a hassle to set up compared to a dedicated tripod. Also, anything but full pole elevation means you need to mess around with the poles, which even with the flip lock poles is somewhat of a pain, as your setup will collapse the moment you mess with the first leg. It is totally usable if you take the time, but if you want to quickly get a shot of a stream with ND1000 filter while your hiking partner is standing their rolling his eyes ("another freaking waterfall shot?"), you just go try to find a rock to put the camera on and leave the trailpix plate pack. I only used the plate at night, everything else I shot without it. When I carried the full tripod, I used it during the day, too, as it only took 30 seconds to get off the pack and set up.
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

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fishmonger wrote:three hiking poles. I wasn't alone. I did buy a third-party ballhead that is slightly stronger than the big one they offer. Same brand as their little one. My camera with lens is quite heavy, as I also carry the battery grip and it has a big old RRS plate on it. So my ballhead with Arca clamp mount is more weight than the trailpix plate itself, but all combined still 2 pounds less than the carbon tripod.

As for usability - it's a hassle to set up compared to a dedicated tripod. Also, anything but full pole elevation means you need to mess around with the poles, which even with the flip lock poles is somewhat of a pain, as your setup will collapse the moment you mess with the first leg. It is totally usable if you take the time, but if you want to quickly get a shot of a stream with ND1000 filter while your hiking partner is standing their rolling his eyes ("another freaking waterfall shot?"), you just go try to find a rock to put the camera on and leave the trailpix plate pack. I only used the plate at night, everything else I shot without it. When I carried the full tripod, I used it during the day, too, as it only took 30 seconds to get off the pack and set up.
Thanks for the follow up
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by fishmonger »

And something that could also go into the camp photo thread

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Spirits in the Sierra night
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by fishmonger »

and a quick photo of the Trailpix setup I used, here with the larger ball head and Swiss Arca clamp on three of our hiking poles

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Trailpix tripod rig
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by pakoR »

Here are a few shots I took this past July while backpacking Section 1 of the SHR.

Celebrating the 4th of July on Windy Ridge with the Milky Way
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The Milky Way and star trails from Upper Basin, the headwaters of the South Fork of the Kings River
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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by InsaneBoost »

Not off in the mountains, and this photo is a bit old, but thought we could use some more Milky Way posts. This was shot on the road going around Tenaya Lake. I always wanted to get a shot of the Milky Way 'floating' above a long straight away, and it ended up working out rather well for this shot. I used a fill light at 100% power to illuminate the road. I did it by just flashing it on the road as quickly as I could.

Fun little back story. I bought the Rokinon 14mm. It came in around 7pm and I immediately left for Yosemite. Got up to the high country around 10:30ish I think, and shot until about 2:30 in the morning. At one point by the lake I heard a noise along the shoreline, turned my headlamp on and just saw two eyes staring back at me, probably 20ft away. Almost pissed myself. Ended up being a deer, but geez.

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Re: The Milky Way Over The Sierra Thread

Post by fishmonger »

July 16, 2017 near Duck Lake

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Aligned with the universe
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