Has anyone experimented with shooting nighttime long exposure shots with their drone to capture the stars/milky way? I have a
Mavic 2 Zoom and want to try it out on a trip to Utah but was wondering what strength ND filter would be necessary if at all?
Thanks!
I have thought about this too, but I don't think it is practical for a number of reasons:
• the shutter can only stay open to a max of 8 seconds (most of my DSLR shots are 20 seconds or more)
• max gimbal tilt is +30º
• maintaining position to prevent blur would be difficult (wind, vibration from props, etc.)
• sensor size: astrophotography benefits from a full frame sensor
• lens: Although the Hasselblad lens might be good in daylight, star shots demand high quality glass way beyond what the
M2P or
M2Z has
• unless you are composing a shot that you can't get to on foot, I'm not sure it would be worth it.
• light pollution from the drone lights (front lights can be turned off but I don't think the back ones can)
That being said, it may be possible and it can't hurt to try. I don't have either
Mavic 2 but have lots of experience taking astro shots with my DSLRs. I have taken some acceptable shots with my basic DSLR (Nikon D3300, 10-20mm lens, tripod) but my best shots have been with my Full Frame DSLR and good glass (Nikon D750, 14-24mm lens @f2.8, tripod).
Good luck! If you do try it post back with the results you got.
Chris