Traverse Area Camera Club
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The 500 Rule for Star Shooting

Knowing What the maximum exposure times are before you start to see star trails, when photographing the Milky Way, depends on your sensor size and focal length, using the commonly termed '500 rule'       (500 / Your focal length in 35mm terms).

This handy chart provides the most common focal lengths and their respective exposure times for photographing the Milky Way. These are maximum exposure times you can use before you start to see star trails.

Keep this chart handy when going out to shoot at night! (Downloadable version below)
The 500 Rule
File Size: 247 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File


Focal Length (mm)
Full Frame Sensor Size (35mm)
Maximum Exposure Time (Seconds)
Crop Frame Sensor 1.5x (mm) (Nikon)
Maximum Exposure Time (Seconds)
Crop Frame Sensor 1.6X (mm) (Canon)
Maximum Exposure Time (Seconds)
8
8
63
12
42
13
39
10
10
50
15
33
16
31
11
11
45
17
30
18
28
12
12
42
18
28
19
26
13
13
38
20
26
21
24
14
14
36
21
24
22
22
15
15
33
23
22
24
21
16
16
31
24
21
26
20
17
17
29
26
20
27
18
18
18
28
27
19
29
17
19
19
26
29
18
30
16
20
20
25
30
17
32
16
21
21
24
32
16
34
15
22
22
23
33
15
35
14
23
23
22
35
14
37
14
24
24
21
36
14
38
13
25
25
20
38
13
40
13
26
26
19
39
13
42
12
27
27
19
41
12
43
12
28
28
18
42
12
45
11
29
29
17
44
11
46
11
30
30
17
45
11
48
10
31
31
16
47
11
50
10
32
32
16
48
10
51
10
33
33
15
50
10
53
9
34
34
15
51
10
54
9
35
35
14
53
10
56
9

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • New Members
  • Activities
    • Calendar
    • Critique Night >
      • September Critique Images
      • October Critique Images
      • November Critique Images
      • December Critique Images
      • January Critique Images
      • February Critique Image
      • March Critique Image
      • April Critique Images
      • May Competition >
        • 2018/2019 Winners
        • 2019/2020 Winners
        • 2020/2021 Winners
        • 2021/2022 Winners
    • Discussion Group
    • Tutorials/Educational Shoots
    • Programs
    • Meet Ups >
      • Esch Rd Beach
    • Exhibits >
      • Crooked Tree Arts Show
      • Northport Photo Exhibit
      • TACC Library Show
    • Special Interest Group
    • Member Showcase
  • Resources
    • Weather Cancelations
    • Member Galleries
    • Board of Directors
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Contact Us