Woah, that is a bit good.

Cracking. What was the exposure and iso on this??

Thanks! Exposure was 25 secs at ISO 3200

I always focus on inf, f8, 30 sec and hope! Reset ISO to suit but extraneous light is always a problem in this country. A lovely image Ben.

Thanks Sean. At 25 seconds at this ange in the sky, and this focal length (18mm) there was already a very tiny amount of star movement track visible in the image. This is the factor that limits how long an exposure I set. It is different for different parts of the shy in relation to the pole star, different latitudes and different lens focal lengths. I tend to have the lens wide open to allow myself the most amount of light. I am more searching for light than depth of field or optimum lens performance.

Aye Ben, but you can also get star trails with exposures of a few hours or indeed longer, especially if you are somewhere completely dark (preferably in mid winter) and no moon is evident. Shooting such in this country is just so fraught with problems, what with the weather, light pollution (traffic and residential) et al. My aim at one time was to shoot star trails above a location with steep hairpin bends and occasional traffic driving up and down the road. As you are located in the Alps you might try that one!

Another cracker Ben. Lovely shot of the galactic core.

Spectacular!