How is your pixel 4 astrophotography?

[eak1570]

I never have chance to go out to try astrophotography yet but looking forward to test it?

How is your astrophotography experience?

 

[mustang7757]

I haven't tested it out yet with the required focus and time it takes , but interested in others feedback as well

 

[kolyan2k]

There is pretty much no stars visible where I am from. I remember we had some sick sky views in Alps, would've been nice to have this mode back then

 

[Base_UK]

Middle of the city, and overcast skies ideal conditions do not make! Hopefully get somewhere that I can try it soon though

 

[N4Newbie]

A whole bunch of years ago, wife and I did a 10 day cruise of the islands of French Polynesia. I remember the night skies were amazing for this guy who grew up and has always lived in very populated areas of the NE and SE United States.

Having said that, I can't help but feel that astrophotography is a cute gimmick that most people will never use more than once or twice, just to see how it works.

 

[jtcannonball]

I haven't tested it out yet with the required focus and time it takes , but interested in others feedback as well

Did you get the 4 or just using the 3a?

 

[mustang7757]

Did you get the 4 or just using the 3a?

I'm using the 3a for now will get the 4 later on

 

[LeoRex]

I am going to go on a rant... Yes... I shall...

Since the launch, the most common thing I've read about this mode are people lamenting there fact that there is so much light pollution where they are, they barely see any stars at night.

This makes me sad... The nighttime sky, free of high pressure sodium and the new LEDs and their accursed efficiency, is mankind's original IMAX. When I was a kid, My family had a place on a rather quiet lake up in NH and I remember looking up with awe... Pictures don't do justice to the size and scale and vastness of the sky. You're looking out at half the universe. And a few years ago, after a vicious early winter storm knocked out power everywhere, I had a chance to see those stars again for the first time since I was a kid.

It's tragic that there are a not so insignificant number of people who will never have a chance to see that, nevermind take a picture of it, because they'll never be free of light pollution.

 

[mustang7757]

I am going to go on a rant... Yes... I shall...

Since the launch, the most common thing I've read about this mode are people lamenting there fact that there is so much light pollution where they are, they barely see any stars at night.

This makes me sad... The nighttime sky, free of high pressure sodium and the new LEDs and their accursed efficiency, is mankind's original IMAX. When I was a kid, My family had a place on a rather quiet lake up in NH and I remember looking up with awe... Pictures don't do justice to the size and scale and vastness of the sky. You're looking out at half the universe. And a few years ago, after a vicious early winter storm knocked out power everywhere, I had a chance to see those stars again for the first time since I was a kid.

It's tragic that there are a not so insignificant number of people who will never have a chance to see that, nevermind take a picture of it, because they'll never be free of light pollution.

If you ever travel to other countries that have less pollution you can see those stars so clear feel like they right there .

 

[Ben_70]

I'll never forget the night sky near Uluru in Australia. Not only could you see what seemed like thousands of stars, the sky was so clear and devoid of light pollution that you could see satellites orbiting the Earth. I hope to go back one day soon with my wife (who's never been to Australia). And I'll make sure to bring my Pixel and a tripod.

 

[mustang7757]

I'll never forget the night sky near Uluru in Australia. Not only could you see what seemed like thousands of stars, the sky was so clear and devoid of light pollution that you could see satellites orbiting the Earth. I hope to go back one day soon with my wife (who's never been to Australia). And I'll make sure to bring my Pixel and a tripod.

That's a nice experience

 

[PaulQ]

Well, I can say that last week, I actually grabbed a tripod, a cheap phone mount, jumped in my car and drove into the night with the intention of playing with astrophotography. This was all motivated by the geek in me. I had no plans to start a new hobby and it's not something I would otherwise be interested in. I just wanted to see what the phone could do. Play around (and see cool space pictures!)

I also ran into light pollution issues. I live near a park and military reserve but it's smack in the middle of Phoenix. So, I found darkness - so much that I needed a flashlight to set up my tripod - but the sky had a glow. No moon.

I went ahead and tried it out. What I didn't realize is that it's entirely automatic. The phone decides when to turn on astrophotography. On screen, it pops up a notice that it's on like how it suggests night sight. The viewfinder (screen) looks just light night sight (circle appears, lights up like a timer as it's shooting). It picked astrophotography and not night sight when I was aiming at the sky.

The exposures were never more than 10 seconds. The pictures were entirely not special. No surprise.

One thing I realized was my phone mount was a piece of junk so I ordered another one. I plan on taking more of a trip to get away from some of the light pollution. I think it's possible in this region. Maybe I'll go nuts and drive to Tucson where there are laws restricting light pollution due to the observatory.

I literally just pulled this photo out of my Google Photos trash. I could barely see the tripod when I shot this. It came out like more of a night sight photo...

 

[Mooncatt]

For those of you needing to travel, a dark sky app like this can help you get away from light pollution.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pa.lightpollutionmap

There's also a list of dark sky parks, so you can check that as well (there may be other similar sites too).

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

 

[PaulQ]

There's also a list of dark sky parks, so you can check that as well (there may be other similar sites too).

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

Thanks for this. It led me to Tonto National Monument (2hrs outside Phoenix) then to another search where I found the "Space Tourism Guide." (link)

Anyone in Phoenix - there's this: https://spacetourismguide.com/best-places-stargazing-phoenix/

I'm going to try this again soon.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I am going to go on a rant... Yes... I shall...

Since the launch, the most common thing I've read about this mode are people lamenting there fact that there is so much light pollution where they are, they barely see any stars at night.

This makes me sad... The nighttime sky, free of high pressure sodium and the new LEDs and their accursed efficiency, is mankind's original IMAX. When I was a kid, My family had a place on a rather quiet lake up in NH and I remember looking up with awe... Pictures don't do justice to the size and scale and vastness of the sky. You're looking out at half the universe. And a few years ago, after a vicious early winter storm knocked out power everywhere, I had a chance to see those stars again for the first time since I was a kid.

It's tragic that there are a not so insignificant number of people who will never have a chance to see that, nevermind take a picture of it, because they'll never be free of light pollution.

I live in MN, luckily outside of the twin cities(Minneapolis/St Paul and surrounding suburbs) we get really clear skies. I've lived in a few parts of the state, have never been more than a 15 minute drive from a clear view. I'm able to see the milky way and northern lights occasionally.

I couldn't imagine living near either coast and dealing with how crowded and over populated everything is by comparison.

With that said although I will never own a Pixel 4 I'm curious how it actually performs.

 

[jimmynexus]

This is the best I've got so far, even the small town by us still produces quite a bit of light.

I wish I had it on a trip we did that involved the Atacama dessert! There was an amazing nightscape with the lack of light.

 

[PaulQ]

This is the best I've got so far, even the small town by us still produces quite a bit of light.

I wish I had it on a trip we did that involved the Atacama dessert! There was an amazing nightscape with the lack of light.

Very cool.

 

[Base_UK]

This is the best I've got so far, even the small town by us still produces quite a bit of light.

I wish I had it on a trip we did that involved the Atacama dessert! There was an amazing nightscape with the lack of light.

Very nice! I'm itching to try this. No, I don't think it is just a gimmick, maybe a niche feature but plenty of photography geeks will use it.

 

[davidnc]

I also haven't got a really good chance to test it. I do go to a few places where the sky still is free from light pollution.
Its amazing how many more stars I see there just with the naked eye, then my home area
But I haven't been since I got this phone, and it wont be til next year when I go back.

Around my home area I can find some places that might work ok, but still would be some light pollution.