Nikon SLR Cameras

How to set remote up for star trails?

amber
amber

I'm using a Vello Wireless Shutterboss remote for my Nikon D5100 camera. I can't seem to find the manual to my remote and I'm confused on setting it up. I want to take a picture every 5 minutes for and hour. I want the exposure time for each picture to be 30 seconds. How do I set this up on my remote?
And any tips for star trails?

thankyoumaskedman
thankyoumaskedman

I'm not sure about the setup of that remote.
Some tips on star trails:
Set white balance to daylight pre-set.
You do not need a lot of ISO. At f3.5 and 30 seconds ISO 400 will capture more stars than your eye can see. Turning up ISO higher will greatly increase noise.
A tricky part can be to get the focus right. The 18-55mm kit lens has no distance scale. The autofocus will not lock on the sky. The lens is probably not parfocal, meaning that shifting the focal length zoom can shift the focus.
It helps a lot if your tripod has a quick release plate. You can get the camera properly aimed. Take it off to get it focused. Return it to its position on the tripod.
You could use you car's headlights to illuminate objects far enough away to give a decent infinity focus. With autofocus switched on, lock on the focus. Then switch to manual focus. Be very careful not to upset the focus setting from there.
If your tripod has a three way pan head, to point the camera upwards you may have to attach the quick-release late backwards from its normal position.
Do some experiments before investing a full hour in your sequence.
Start with a fully charged battery. Long exposures will drain it a lot. Have a spare with you.