Many beginners struggle with exposure time settings. Here are common mistakes to watch out for:
- Overexposing bright objects: Long exposures can blow out stars or the Moon, losing detail. Use your histogram to avoid clipping highlights.
- Ignoring the 500 Rule: Not adjusting exposure time for lens focal length causes star trails.
- Not adjusting ISO and aperture: Exposure time works with these; neglecting them leads to poor balance.
- Fixed exposure despite changing conditions: Light pollution or moon phase changes require tweaking exposure time.
- Assuming tracking means unlimited exposure: Tracking errors can still blur images; align and calibrate your mount carefully.
By avoiding these mistakes, you'll capture sharper stars and richer details with less frustration.