Starry sky captured with α6400: Points, trajectories, and two nights
July 23, 2025.
On a clear night, I took a Sony α6400 in my hand and went out to take pictures of the starry sky.
On this day, there was little moonlight, and the stars were clearly visible.
This time, I tried to shoot one photo of "shooting the stars with dots" and the other photo of "drawing the trajectory of the stars".
I will carefully record the differences in each shooting method and setting.
Photographing the Stars with Dots ─ Focus and Momentary Beauty
In this photo, I aimed to capture the stars clearly one by one.
The shutter speed is reduced to 13 seconds to prevent the flow of stars due to the Earth's rotation.
Shooting Settings:
- Shooting date and time: July 23, 2025 21:04
- Camera: Sony α6400
- Lens: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
- Focal length: 105mm
- Aperture: f/2.8 (aperture)
- Shutter speed: 13 seconds
- ISO Sensitivity: 1600
- Editing: Snapseed (clarity and noise correction)
Set it to open on the telephoto side, and catch the faint light of the stars with high sensitivity.
13 seconds at 105mm focal length was a line that was just right to block the flow.
Drawing the Trail of the Stars ─ A Picture of the Passage of Time
In this photo, the movement of the stars is drawn as a line by using long exposure.
The arc created by the rotation of the earth gives us a sense of the flow of time itself.
Shooting Settings:
- Shooting date and time: July 23, 2025 23:22
- Camera: Sony α6400
- Lens: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
- Focal length: 42mm
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter speed: 1227 seconds (about 20 minutes)
- ISO Sensitivity: 400
- Editing: Snapseed (brightness and color correction)
By narrowing it down to F5.6, it reduces noise with low sensitivity while stabilizing the entire screen and adjusting the flow around it.
What can be seen from the difference in expression
Even with the same camera and lens, the settings vary greatly depending on how you want to shoot.
1st Picture (Photographed by Dot)
- Focal length: 105mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Shutter: 13 sec
- ISO Sensitivity: 1600
- Intention: Stop and photograph the stars as points one by one.
Second Picture (Drawing a Trajectory)
- Focal length: 42mm
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter: 1227 seconds (about 20 minutes)
- ISO Sensitivity: 400
- Intention: Draw the movement of the stars with lines to capture the passage of time
Summary of Comparison Points
- If you want to shoot in points: Open, high sensitivity, short exposure
- If you want to draw with a trajectory: Low sensitivity, long exposure, aperture and stability
The choice of settings according to the purpose will greatly affect the outcome of the photo.
It's not just about using equipment, but also about what and how you want to show—that's the real thrill of starry sky photography.
Conclusion
Although the α6400 is an APS-C aircraft, it is a reliable companion that can fully respond to starry sky photography.
It is lightweight, easy to handle, and has perfect noise resistance in dark places.
Next, I would like to take a picture of the Milky Way with a wide-angle lens.
It was the summer night sky that motivated me to go on my next trip.