Starry Nights With a Sony α6400: Pinpoints vs. Trails
One Camera, Two Night-Sky Intentions
A moonless July night paired with the Sony α6400 became the perfect test bed for two approaches to astrophotography: freezing stars as sharp dots and stretching them into graceful trails. Here is how the settings differed and why.
Shot 1: Stars as Pinpoints
Setup
- Time: 21:04
- Lens: SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C
- Focal length: 105 mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Shutter speed: 13 s
- ISO: 1600
- Edits: Snapseed for clarity and noise control
Keeping the shutter under 15 seconds at 105 mm respected the 500 rule, freezing Earth's rotation and delivering crisp points of light while the wide aperture gathered enough photons.
Shot 2: Star Trails Over 20 Minutes
Setup
- Time: 23:22
- Focal length: 42 mm
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter speed: 1,227 s (~20 minutes)
- ISO: 400
- Edits: Snapseed for brightness and color balance
Dialing down ISO and stopping to f/5.6 held noise in check during the long exposure, allowing the sky's rotation to paint smooth arcs across the sensor.
Quick Reference
| Creative goal | Focal length | Aperture | Shutter | ISO | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinpoint stars | 105 mm | f/2.8 | 13 s | 1600 | Use a fast aperture and follow the 500 rule |
| Star trails | 42 mm | f/5.6 | 1,227 s | 400 | Lower ISO and secure your tripod |
Why the α6400 Still Impresses
Lightweight, responsive, and surprisingly clean at higher ISOs, the Sony α6400 remains a flexible travel body. Paired with the SIGMA 28-70mm, it covered both telephoto pinpoints and wider trail shots without swapping lenses. Next challenge: chasing the Milky Way with an ultra-wide.