How can I improve without spending money?

[Intergage]

Hey all,

I have been getting pretty heavy into this astrophotography stuff, out every clear night just looking if not taking photos. I have hit an end point in what I can do, I think anyway. I haven't been out beyond my backyard with my near gear I got (6" Dob(No tracking mount), Canon 600D) but hopefully if the clouds.. Grrrr *Deep breath*... clear up I will be at Glass house this weekend with it all.

I honestly don't think I can get any better quality with what I have (Basically what I said before) so are there any tips someone can give me to get more detail? I'm mostly interested in Jupiter.

Here is what I have done so far: http://imgur.com/a/iCRFJ

[BlackWidow]

I think you have done a really good job just using a DOB. I am not sure how much further you can go without tracking. Thier are some DIY projects on the net that allow tracking that you may be able to do to your DOB... Often you can just keep spending and still end up spending as much as just getting a suitable rig... Astrophotography is a money based project.. More money you spend the better the results... It hurts really !


Mardy

[Lee]

You don't need to spend too much, but you are going to need tracking to really move on, for DSO's of any sort. Moon and bright planets can be done with a dob and webcam type camera.

[leon]

I think Mardy hit the nail on the head, so to speak.

Be happy with your results and just enjoy, and feel lucky that you can actually do what you are doing. ;)

Years ago this sort of photography was just for the big boys at the purpose built facilities, now you can do it from your backyard. :eyepop:

Leon :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

There's a lot more you can do with a DSLR. Widefield timelapses, nightscape. If you get a DMK second hand you can also do some solar and/or planetary imaging with your dob. If it's 6" a second hand EQ6 would carry it.

[Intergage]

Hey Mardy,

I have checked out some DIY projects for tracking (I love DIY stuff) but I think it's a little advanced for me at the moment haha but learning :)
Thanks for your reply though, I think I might just suck it and save / starve to get a Goto mount.

If someone has one on hand can they link to a low end DECENT goto mounted scope?
Like, refractor, reflector , dob what would be the best one? As I said before, I'm very interested in Jupiter but if I have tracking I might be more interested in some of the closer galaxies. :)

Thanks to everyone that replied, it all helped :)

[rustigsmed]

You could plop the 6" on a HEQ5 mount which I think is generally considered the entry level 'astrophotography' mount. However if you are more interested in the planets you would be after more aperture in your scope, then perhaps a goto dob may suit better. I've got some alright results for dso on mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/

All the best

Rusty