Let’s try out four of the best smartphones in a low-light shooting battle. We compare urban nightscape photos from the ASUS ZenFone 4 Pro, HTC U11, LG V30 and Samsung Galaxy S8.
Astrophotography Gear
Reviews and guides to help you select the best gear for photographing the Milky Way
SharpStar2 150mm Now Available!
We’re happy to announce that, as of today, the SharpStar2 150mm is now available for pre-order, scheduled to ship in March.
This new 150mm SharpStar2 size is perfect for ultra-wide-angle lenses like the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm/2.8 and Nikon 14-24mm/2.8 that need a special 150mm filter system to fit on their fixed-lens hoods.
Our premium filter case is also now available in a 150mm size and can be ordered at the same time as your SharpStar2.
Learn more and pre-order now for early-bird pricing.
Gear of the Year: Lonely Speck Gift Guide 2017
As the end of the year approaches, we’ve been doing some reflecting on the photography projects we’ve completed in the last twelve months. We’ve experimented with lots of new gear, had fun trying new and improved photography apps, launched our second astrophotography filter, and set out on several photo excursions with the lot.
Considering all the tools and technology we’ve used for astrophotography this year, there’s a lot to love, so we’ve compiled all of our favorites this year into our 2017 gift guide.
Read on for our favorite project memories and the top gear we tested in 2017 — and get some ideas for your holiday gift list this year.
Review: Urban Night Photography with the Fujifilm X-T2
Using one of my favorite techniques for astrophotography, I take a shot at shooting ultra high resolution urban nightscapes with the Fujifilm X-T2. In this user experience review, I test the X-T2’s low light shooting performance while exploring the cities of London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland at night.
Traveling Photographer: One Bag Ultralight Minimalist Packing List
One of the most positive changes we have made to our traveling life is learning how to pack light. Here is a video overview and master list of gear I bring with me while I travel the world with my fiancée. All in one fits-under-the-seat-in-front-of-you bag.
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Star Eater: Astrophotography with the a7s, a7RII, a7SII, a9 and a7RIII – An Open Letter to Sony
Sony makes excellent cameras. In the last few years, they launched a completely new full frame camera system that has pushed the bounds of digital photography. I switched entirely to Sony gear after first seeing the tremendous low-light capability of their a7S and have enjoyed many outings shooting astrophotography on many different Sony camera bodies since. I have previously recommended Sony gear to countless numbers of fellow photographers looking for the best landscape astrophotography cameras. Now, I’m hesitant to recommend Sony’s latest cameras due to a problem that affects astrophotography. Before you buy a new Sony camera, be aware of this issue. Continue reading
How to Find the Best ISO for Astrophotography: Dynamic Range and Noise
ISO is one of the three major exposure settings in the exposure triangle of a digital camera. Of the three: shutter time, f/number, and ISO, it is ISO that is probably most misunderstood. Even more so than f/number. In fact, it is a common misconception that higher ISO settings will cause images to be noisier. In fact, the opposite is often true. Wait, what?
That’s right, higher ISO settings alone do not increase image noise and higher ISOs can even be beneficial to low-light photography. In this post, I talk about the craziness surrounding ISO settings, how ISO actually affects exposure and how to find the optimal ISO setting on your camera for astrophotography.