Advice for first photos

[OzStarGazer]

So... I should get my first telescope in a few days.... :)
I have read here that people take multiple images, which is automatically possible with my camera, and then stack them. Which settings would you recommend? How many shots?
It will be afocal photography for the moment. I do have a tripod for the camera though. I have also seen that there are cheap universal camera adapters on eBay. I wonder if they are OK?
My camera also has a setting for focussing on moving objects, which I hope can be useful for less bright objects that require long exposures and drift a bit during the exposure (my telescope will be a dob so it won't automatically follow objects)?

:thanx:

[Lee]

First stuff ideas -
Basic constellation shots...
Star trails - no telescope needed....
Satellite passes - lots of fun....
Meteors....
The moon.... nice crescent the next few days.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, Lee. Yes, I agree, it should be exciting to watch the moon as it grows day by day. Full moon will be on the 17th. Anyway, my telescope should arrive today according to tracking... :)

[Lee]

That sounds a bit like vibration reduction? I wouldn't expect that to help through a scope to be honest.... you'll be surprised just how fast things drift out of view in a dob (or any scope without tracking)....

[Poita]

You won't really be able to take images of anything except the moon and planets if you don't have tracking. You will need to have very short shutter speeds to freeze the movement, or use video mode for the planets and video them as they drift through the frame, then stack the video images.

[OzStarGazer]

It is a focus setting called Continuous-servo AF (AF-C). You can have a look at how it works here if you scroll down: http://imaging.nikon.com/history/basics/16/03.htm

I think I will first have a look at moon and planets anyway.... when I can... lots of clouds (and wind) here right now. It looks like it is going to rain very soon. :(

I don't know if I will take photos right away, but when I was reading the page on astrophotography with dobs I remembered that setting of my camera. It is usually not for astronomy though. I think it is usually used in sports.

[Lee]

Yep - I have continuous servo AF on my nikon too - it's great for taking pics of a toddler running towards the camera, not so great for astro I'm afraid. Peter's post above is spot on.

[OzStarGazer]

Oh, sorry, for some reason I missed Peter's post. Thanks, yes, I can do that (freeze the movement with fast shutter speeds), as well as take videos. Actually the example for freezing movement in my camera manual is a picture of space too.

PS: I think it is exactly the word "tracking" that had made me hope continuous servo might work. I thought... if the telescope doesn't do it, maybe the camera can. :)

[OzStarGazer]

It just arrived and I like it. :) Not a good night for viewing I think, but the conditions should improve tomorrow. It is easily portable and I should have no problem going to the beach with it. I have to get used to the tension control knob, but I think it will be fine.

[OzStarGazer]

Ok, yesterday evening the wind was terribly strong... I could see some scattered stars, but that was all.
This morning the view was much better (apart from the fact that the wind had subsided a bit, the manual also says that early morning is the best time for viewing). Anyway, out of curiosity I took a photo without even using the tripod and I am surprised at the details I can see when I enlarge it. Heaps of stars are visible. So I think something can be done with my camera, even if only for my own enjoyment. When I enlarge it I can even see details I could not see with the telescope. I guess it would have been better if I had used a tripod or a camera adapter or if the resolution were higher (so the enlarged image would be crisper), but overall it is better than I expected (I didn't think to see any stars at all...). :)

[ourkind]

Excellent! What camera are you using?

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you. :) I used a Nikon D5100. Not bad, but not on the same level as other cameras mentioned here, like the Nikon D800.

[OzStarGazer]

Are red spots/bubbles always red giants? I can see quite a few in my photo. They are small due to the limitations of my equipment, but still clearly visible. Other "spots/bubbles" are blue... Blue giants? I've got a lot to learn. Sorry I asked so many questions this week, I am almost done I think. :)

[Lee]

Might pay to post a pic or two.... If you are shooting short exposures through a dob, and getting small red and blue dots, I'd wonder if this is sensor noise you are looking at?

[OzStarGazer]

OK, I will post a pic, but it is not supposed to be nice or anything. It was just an experiment. I didn't even think I would be able to see anything at all in the pic...
Taken with Nikon D5100 camera, SkyWatcher Heritage 5"
Afocal No Tripod or camera adapter, I just pointed the camera at the eyepiece...
Just one shot
The original shot doesn't show many details, but by enlarging the pic I noticed details. The pic here is a random screenshot of the enlarged original pic.


....

[Lee]

That's noise matey.... :(
How did you focus the camera/scope?
Try some moon shots first - then you will know if you have got it focused....

[OzStarGazer]

Oh, I could see some of the white stars clearly in the telescope, but just 2 or 3.
The camera didn't have a tripod, so maybe this caused the noise? It was in bulb mode and with the highest ISO setting. Maybe too high without High ISO Noise Reduction...

PS: I have removed the noise in PhotoShop... Bright white stars are still visible, even constellations, although a bit faint.... (this could be improved in PhotoShop or PaintSho[).
PPS: Re the moon, unfortunately I don't have a filter yet, and I will buy it after Christmas, so it might take awhile until I will be able to take pics... :(