Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel, Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography

I continue testing my new Canon EOS Ra astrophotography camera. There is nothing quite like a starry, quiet summer night — the Milky Way moving slowly across the sky while the landscape glows softly beneath it.

This photo was taken in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, an area that became world-famous in 1969 when nearly 500,000 people gathered on Max Yasgur’s Farm for the legendary Woodstock Festival. Today, the region is peaceful, rural, and surprisingly good for astrophotography.

In the image you can see a small local pond reflecting the surrounding trees and several bright stars. Even though it was nighttime, the landscape appears illuminated enough to reveal the details of the trees and water — the only sign that it is truly night is the Milky Way arching above. This is a simple one-shot exposure, but it carries a calm atmosphere that reminds me of childhood fairy-tale stories.

Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel,  Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography 

Technical details:
Canon EOS Ra • 25 sec • ISO 20000 • f/2.8
Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM • Single exposure

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Milky Way Panorama – Toronto Reservoir, Bethel NY
• Milky Forest – Testing the Canon Ra
• Adirondack Public Observatory – Night Sky
• Canon EOR Ra Astrophotography
• New York Astrophotography

Milky Forest – Testing the New Canon EOS Ra Astrophotography Camera

After many years of shooting with my trusted Canon EOS 60Da, I finally upgraded to the Canon EOS Ra — and this image is one of my very first real-world tests. So far, the camera has exceeded my expectations in every way.

This photograph was taken near Bethel Woods, New York. The light pollution is noticeably lower than in New York City, but still present — a good test environment for seeing how well the Ra handles faint details in the Milky Way’s dense center.

Thanks to the EOS Ra’s enhanced hydrogen-alpha (Hα) sensitivity and modern full-frame sensor, the structure of the Milky Way remains beautifully visible even under moderate sky glow. The difference compared to the 60Da is immediately noticeable: stronger reds, more detail in the galactic core, and much cleaner high-ISO performance.

Milky Forest - Testing new camera Canon Ra

Camera Settings & Performance

Canon EOS Ra
Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 6 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 20,000
Processing: Minimum Photoshop adjustments — this is almost straight out of camera.

The Ra's sensor allows much shorter exposures than the 60Da (which typically required 10–15 seconds for a similar sky brightness). Despite the short shutter time, the Milky Way’s core is sharp, detailed, and clean. High-ISO noise levels are dramatically lower, making the Canon EOS Ra a superb tool for night-sky photography.

Compare My Astrophotography Cameras

• Canon EOS Ra Astrophotography (mirrorless, Hα enhanced)
• Canon EOS 60Da Astrophotography (DSLR, Hα enhanced)
• Canon EOS 40D Astrophotography (classic DSLR)

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Yellowstone Astrophotography – Milky Way over geysers and night landscape
• Adirondack Public Observatory – Dark skies in New York State
• Arching Milky Way over Arches National Park – Ultra-wide astrophotography
• Milky Way Over Nyikani Migration Camp, Tanzania – Strong airglow conditions
• Watching the Sky & Observing Meteors – Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

Canon EOS Ra Mirrorless Astrophotography Camera - First Look

The transition from DSLR to mirrorless marks a major revolution in both photography and astrophotography. After many years with my legendary Canon EOS 60Da, it was finally time to upgrade — and the Canon EOS Ra became my new primary astrophotography camera.

Released in November 2019, the EOS Ra is a specialized variant of the Canon EOS R designed specifically for astrophotography. It features 4× greater hydrogen-alpha (Hα) sensitivity, allowing the camera to capture deep reds in nebulae with exceptional clarity. Canon also included several features that make night sky shooting easier than ever.

Why Canon EOS Ra is Excellent for Astrophotography

• 4× enhanced Hα sensitivity compared to the standard EOS R (perfect for nebulae).
• 30× live view magnification — the best tool for extremely precise focusing on stars.
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) makes sky navigation much easier than DSLR optical viewfinders.
• High ISO performance — up to ISO 102,400 with significantly reduced noise.
• High-resolution sensor — 30.3 MP (6720 × 4480), great for large prints and deep crops.
• Full compatibility with Canon RF lenses + EF lenses using the EF–RF adapter.
• Wi-Fi + remote control — perfect for tripod work and long exposures.

Unboxing the Canon EOS Ra

Canon EOS Ra – Mirrorless Astrophotography Camera

Canon EOS Ra Mirrorless Astrophotography Camera First Look

What's Included in the Box

• Canon EOS Ra Camera Body
• Battery Pack LP-E6N
• Battery Charger LC-E6
• Wide Strap
• Cable Protector
• Interface Cable IFC-100U

Canon EOS Ra inside box

Canon EOS Ra Box

Canon EOS Ra Box and Accessories

Canon EOS Ra Unboxing

Canon EOS Ra Battery Pack LP-E6N Front

Canon EOS Ra Battery Pack LP-E6N Back Side

Battery Charger LC-E6

Canon EOS Ra Battery Charger LC-E6 and Pack LP-E6N

Canon EOS Ra Wide Strap

Canon EOS Ra Cable Protector

Canon EOS Ra Interface Cable IFC-100U

Compare My Astrophotography Cameras

Over the years I have photographed the night sky with several Canon cameras — from the classic Canon EOS 40D, to the specialized Canon EOS 60Da, and now the mirrorless Canon EOS Ra. Explore images taken with each camera to see how sensor improvements and Hα sensitivity changed my astrophotography results.

• Canon EOS Ra Astrophotography (mirrorless, Hα enhanced)
• Canon EOS 60Da Astrophotography (DSLR, Hα enhanced)
• Canon EOS 40D Astrophotography (classic DSLR)