$700 for a phone, and LESS functionality for astrophotography? Also, shutter speed question

[Alanhd]

There is no substitute for a bigger sensor and better lenses, if your serious about Astro photography go with a cheap intro DLSR.

 

[CRSandler]

There is no substitute for a bigger sensor and better lenses, if your serious about Astro photography go with a cheap intro DLSR.

It would be good advice, but Camera FV-5 with a smartphone that allows RAW capture and long exposures is way better than a $200 dlsr -- many more settings, intervelometer, etc. (all very doable, Samsung's just allowing RAW and taking away L.E. with the S6 and S7....) Third party app makers are frustrated that Samsung's preventing them from implementing all their features - me too!

Not Quite Right is quite right (ha!).... and it's helpful to hear... features come, features go and the big guys don't really listen to the little guys. I was just surprised Samsung would take stuff AWAY for no good reason....and you're right bable, I was hoping the fab A. C. community would say, "okay, here's your workaround...." I won't give up, and the s5 still allows long exposures though no RAW, so I'll post what I get with that after some experimentation and practice!

 

[Dan TheMan86]

Still waiting on those pictures...

 

[FlyHigh365]

People complain about the dumbest things...

 

[20blks]

People complain about the dumbest things...

I wanted to say that so bad. Lol

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Razdul]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic phone. But I mainly upgraded so I could get RAW photo capture and long exposure times, and with Camera FV-5, the maximum exposure time is DOWN to only 1/8" from 30 seconds with the S5 running Lollipop 5! So that means the S7 is not useful for astrophotography. Even the stock Camera in Pro mode will shoot 10 seconds - still less than the 30 I was getting with the S5.

Anyone know of a good way to plead with Google to get our long exposure times back under Marshmallow?

Iso800 shutter speed 10 seconds... galaxy s7
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDj5ZjkR8De/

 

[Razdul]

Since we're here....can you post up some of your astrophotography shots from your previous phone? I'd like to see how a smartphone handles this

Iso800, 10 second exposure
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDj5ZjkR8De/

 

[CRSandler]

DanTheMan86 and all: I’m pleased to say Samsung did address some of what I was complaining about, and made available longer exposure shots and the functionality apps like Camera FV5 need. So I’m able to get shots like this one of Orion (10 sec., ISO 1600)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/89watszaww62bwh/OrionSunset.JPG?dl=0

30 seconds would still be better for a lot of astronomical things – the S5 would go up to 30 seconds. But it’s good at least have enough capability to take shots like this.

I couldn’t post images earlier because I hadn’t learned how to do it! I got the S7 thinking it was going to be all-powerful only to find some of the S5 functionality stripped away. That slowed me down. When Samsung put a lot of it back, I got busy – smartphones are in fact great for astrophotography, and I don’t feel the need for a DSLR.

Some of what I’ve been able to do with the Galaxy:
1. Mars (long exposure) – with Mars reflected in the water below! (in a bay on the Gulf of Mexico)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/03yysgjaafcvufu/Mars.JPG?dl=0

2. A rare sight – the planet Mercury, which is only visible at very limited times during the year. When it is out, it’s pretty bright.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wi3n83enywvqnky/Mercury.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wi3n83enywvqnky/Mercury.JPG?dl=0

3. The transit of Mercury across the Sun May 9, using a solar filter on my telescope. That was a SHORT exposure but still a high IS0 (1600).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kuy2yxlmzkh579u/MercuryTransit.jpg?dl=0

4. The Big Dipper and Polaris (the North Star)- another long exposure.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sfn84mld2ax07l7/DSC_0201.JPG?dl=0

5. The Moon. All with the S7 and an Orion Steadypix Pro mounting adapter! You can see why I was rarin’ to go. Will post more as I get them! (Let me know if the Dropbox links don't work...)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/110jhs245n2mili/Moon2.JPG?dl=0

 

[t11rmh]

I have a Sony SLT camera, tripod, remote control and a big lense to photograph the night sky. I have never even pointed my S7 at the sky and taken a photo and never will.

Posted via the Android Central App on a kicking Gold Samsung Galaxy S7

 

[Alanhd]

My earlier comments still stand. Invest in a proper camera. You will get a lot better results.

 

[CRSandler]

Nah, I was complaining about something they TOOK AWAY for no good reason - that's not a dumb complaint. I'm glad they put some of it back - look at the photos!!!

 

[CRSandler]

Check out what's possible with the S7- and I'm just getting started! You can do wonderful things, and it's fun.

 

[CRSandler]

No real argument, Alanhd....actually I think I might jump over the camera and go right to a ccd that you insert in the eyepiece....endless money, of course, but look what you get. Post some of your shots - love to see them!!!

 

[CRSandler]

Razdul, I did put up some photos....make sure you get the Orion steadypix PRO adapter to hold the phone steady. Camera FV5 is better than the standard Camera app, even in Pro mode. You can take shots that literally amaze your friends, and you have them right there on your phone! The people saying a real camera is better are right of course, but this is $700 we've already spent, it's VERY fun, and the images are wonderful. One more reason to love the Galaxy now that Samsung re-enabled (close to) full functionality!

 

[Alanhd]

No real argument, Alanhd....actually I think I might jump over the camera and go right to a ccd that you insert in the eyepiece....endless money, of course, but look what you get. Post some of your shots - love to see them!!!

If your taking most shots with your telescope then a CCD is definitely the way to go. I don't have a scope any more due to space constraints.

I've just been out and done some star trails but the moons fairly bright, so had to go with 30 second exposures @ F11 with ISO 400 and stitched the photos together in photoshop.

 

[pekinesis]

Yes, astrophotography by huawei or LG is possible because of the capability of long exposure 30s
Too bad S7 edge is only 10s

 

[thomasjohnsen]

Really bummed out...
S7 edge EU version, Exynos 8890 and Samsung sensor:
ISO max 800 in manual mode. PLUS max 10 sec exposure...
(In auto mode ISO goes higher...)
Really annoying... Want to take pictures of stars, and was unaware of this issue...
Not found a way to override these limitations. Yet...