How to photograph Comet Neowise this week – Digital Camera World

Pictures of the amazing Comet Neowise have started appear over the news and social media  and if you want to get a picture of this incredible astro event, then this week is likely to be your best chance. With this particular comet not expected at make its return visit to the earth’s skies for another 6,800 years this is something you don’t want to miss seeing.
Comet Neowise, or Comet C/2020 F3 to give it its full name, has turned out to be one of the best comets for people to view without the need for specialist equipment since Comet Hale-Bopp back in 1997. Often comets turn out to be more disappointing than astronomers had hoped – but this one has so far exceeded expectations, and there is still plenty of time to see it for yourself.  
It is visible on the northern horizon after sunset or before dawn… as it needs to be dark enough to make out the comet and its tail. You do need to be in the Northern Hemisphere – and of course you also need clear skies. 
How to see the comet
5 secs at f/5.6, ISO 2500.
70-200mm zoom at 105mm on a Canon EOS 5D IV.
9 July 2020, Ukraine(Image credit: Anton Petrus, Getty Images)
But according to Space.com, the conditions for seeing Comet Neowise are now getting better. Up until now, the best images have been shot in the early hours of the morning, but this week the best views will now be an hour or so after sunset.
“The first good opportunity for evening viewing begins on 12 July, when the head of the comet will stand 5 degrees above the north-northwest horizon, 80 minutes after sunset (the end of nautical twilight).” explains Space.com. “By 14 July its altitude will have already doubled to 10 degrees, and by 19 July it will have doubled yet again to 20 degrees up by the end of nautical twilight. By then it will have moved to above the northwest horizon. 
So, we at Space.com feel that the best time to view the comet during the evening will come during the 14-19 July time frame.”
8 secs at f/4, ISO 2000.
200mm lens setting on a Canon EOS 6D II.
9 July 2020, Spain(Image credit: Albert Llop/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
5 secs at f/1.8, ISO 640.
Sony 85mm f/1.8 on a Sony A7R III.
10 July 2020, USA(Image credit: Scott Cramer, Getty Images)
How to photograph the comet
For photographing the comet, you need a reasonably long exposure in order to capture the comet. An exposure setting of around 5 to 10 seconds is roughly what to expect. For this you will need to use your lens at its widest, maximum aperture – and then set a relatively high ISO in order to give you the correct exposure. An ISO of between 800 and 3200 is what to expect (the exact setting will depend, amongst other things on the maximum aperture of your lens). A tripod is therefore essential if you want sharp shots. 
You can use any lens, but the best shots we have seen so far have used a short telephoto setting so as to get the comet a reasonable size in the frame. A key point is that you should try to find a camera position where you can include some foreground interest – some rocks, say, or a building – that will provide some context to your image.  
To observe the comet better, and to see the forked shape of its tail, it is well worth taking binoculars with you. 
11 July 2020, Italy(Image credit: Davide Pischettola/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
Read more
• The best lenses for astrophotography• The best camera and gear for shooting the night sky• Best light pollution filters• The best telescopes for astrophotography• The best binoculars

Click here to view the original article.