Absolute beginner needing a lot of help

[Brian W]

Hi, I have an 8" Lightbridge on a dob mount. I recently acquired a Sony Alpha a58 camera.

I am hoping to use it for astrophotography. In particular coloured stars, nebulae and constellations.

Can I do this with a good lens? Can I combine the Sony with the Lightbridge? Do I need a different mount/telescope to match my camera?

thanks for the help,
Brian

[raymo]

Hi Brian, First point is that most dobs will not come to focus with a DSLR
attached, being made for visual use, not imaging. I don't know about the Lightbridges; no doubt someone here will tell you. Even if it will, it is almost useless for imaging. Because it can't track objects, your longest exposure will be less than a second before stars begin to elongate.
You can get quite good lunar or solar pics[ with a proper solar filter].
If the Lightbridges can be fitted with a "Go To" system, and you fit one, you will still be limited to short exposures [around 20-30 secs] because of
a thing called field rotation.
The kind of imaging you refer to can really only be done with a motorised equatorial mount.
raymo

[Atmos]

With your camera you are better off buying a lens for it and doing some wide field astrophotography. With a decent lens you'll be able to take some breath taking photos :)

[Brian W]

Hi Raymo, I thought I might be dreaming a little bit large.

[Brian W]

Colin, B&H made the same suggestion and the lens was surprisingly low cost.