Astrophotography for dummies

[jet486]

Wishing to take up astrophotography but I've having problems trying to find a book or two that explains the basics required to start in both equipment and the procedures to producing my first night shots. At this moment I have been reading Michael Covington's Digital SLR Astrophotography which I purchased from Amazon but I am have difficulties understanding the procedures that are involved in photographing DSO's as he explains subjects that I have limited experience. Please help if you can. Cheers

[bloodhound31]

Hi Jet,

I can highly reccommend Stefan Seip's, Digital Astrophotography - A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos.

I reviewed it a little while ago and got the opportunity to try out all his techniques.

http://www.astronomytoday.com/reviews/digital-astrophotography.html

Baz.

[jet486]

Thanks Bloodhound. I've just did a quick search in Amazon and with a review of 5 stars I decided to purchase said book. Cheers.

[[1ponders]]

While Michael Covingtons DSLR Book is OK, to get the most out of it you really need to read his first book "Astrophotography for the Amateur". It really gives a great foundation on which you can then build more advanced principles.

[dugnsuz]

:google:
Lots of really good (free) resources on line...
http://www.astropix.com/INDEX.HTM
...for one.

This place via the "search" button can be an excellent resource for the enquiring astro-imager!
Good Luck
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[jet486]

Cheers for your help everybody but a question to 1pounders if I can, what do you mean when you say that your Canon EOS 300 is to modded as this term was also used in Covington's book. I have a Nikon 70s, does it have to be moodded?

[[1ponders]]

I was planning on sending my 300D away to get the IR filter removed so it would be more sensitive to the Hydrogen alpha light. The inbuilt IR filter is pretty severe in the red spectrum. I'm not sure what the IR filter excludes in regard to its overlap into the red spectrum for the Nikon 70 and I not heard of anyone modding one. I wouldn't worry too much about it though, you'll still be able to great photos with it, ..............until you convert to a canon ;)