Since testing out the new Nikkor 180mm f2.8 lens on the Andromeda galaxy, we’ve been cursed with almost 3 solid weeks of cloud and moonlit nights. This is pretty typical, as anybody who’s just bought some new equipment will tell you.

The stars finally came out for an hour or so last night, allowing me to grab some shots of the Triangulum galaxy (M33). Being much smaller and fainter than the Andromeda galaxy (magnitude 5.7 vs 3.4) I went for a MUCH longer exposure, taking 50 shots at 80 seconds each, for a total of 1 hour and 6 minutes.

Details: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 180mm f2.8 at f2.8. 1 hour and 6 minutes (50 x 80 seconds) at iso 800. Using didymium filter. Stacked with Deep Sky Stacker and tracked with barn door tracker.

The lens did a great job once again. Below is a side by side 10 minute exposure comparison between the 50mm f1.8 with the new 180mm f2.8 lens. As you’d expect, there’s a massive difference!

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