Hi,
Yes, I did the same thing.. tried to focus on brighter stars first or distant
objects and then took shots to test out the focus. For the startrails shots I
also attached the d40 to my laptop and used ImagesPlus. Besides being able to
control the camera settings more easily, it also helps in the focussing better,
since the viewfinder on the camera is real small.

Regards
Siti

--- In TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <postlost@...>
wrote:
>
>
> One method I use is to zoom in on a brighter star, focus on it, then zoom out.
That usually gets me pretty close. Then it's a matter of iterative short
exposures and focus adjustments until I am satisfied.
>
> Cheers,
> Phil
>
> --- In TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup@yahoogroups.com, J Ogden <cmuogden@>
wrote:
> >
> > Thank you, I have been doing a similar thing but have not stacked the
> > photos. I am have encountered the problem of having a hard time focusing on
> > the star field. How do you manage to do that?
> >
> > On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 4:26 AM, Siti Nursaba <snursaba@> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > > The photos were taken at a focal length of 20mm, f/4, ISO400, exposure of
> > > 30s each. I used the camera on a fixed tripod, and took 2 images (for each
> > > photo - one of the milky way, and the other with the crux), combined them
> > > using photoshop to get the contrast right in order to bring out the milky
> > > way. Because of the light, the original pictures show the milky way cloud
as
> > > a very faint white cloud - I've posted the original on my album too. Have
> > > fun!
> > > I also tried taking some startrails over at the Gold Coast(won't get such
> > > interesting startrails here at the equator), but managed to only take 81
> > > images from my hotel balcony so it didn't really show up. Anyway I've put
> > > this up too :) I'll try again the next time I go north or south :)
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In
TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup@yahoogroups.com<TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup%\
40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > J Ogden <cmuogden@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Siti,
> > > > Those are really good, what is your exposure information and technique
> > > > for your shots? I live on Lake Huron in Northern Michigan and plan to
use
> > > > my D40 this summer to take some regular star field pics.
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Phil <postlost@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hey, nice! Reminds me of being home (Ex-Aussie living in the US).
> > > Always
> > > > > good to see Crux.
> > > > >
> > > > > Good shots!
> > > > >
> > > > > Phil
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In
TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup@yahoogroups.com<TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup%\
40yahoogroups.com>
> > > <TheNikonD40AstrophotogrphyGroup%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > > > "Siti Nursaba" <snursaba@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > > Just returned from a wonderful holiday at Brisbane Gold Coast, had a
> > > > > great time there and it was especially good that I managed some
> > > stargazing
> > > > > at the beach! It was clear skies the week I was there and amazing
> > > > > conditions, I cannot resist to take some photos armed only with the
d40
> > > and
> > > > > my tripod. It's my first time taking pics of the milky way! Posted 2
> > > here in
> > > > > my album, one of scorpio and the milky way, and one a wider field
photo
> > > that
> > > > > includes scorpio and the southern cross. I took 2 images for each
photo
> > > and
> > > > > processed with photoshop. There is some light pollution interfering
> > > with the
> > > > > photos but i'm still happy with the result :)
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Siti
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>