Quote:
Originally Posted by highlander2287
Well I've had my scope for a view weeks now. Its a 10" collapsible skywatcher dob with goto. I've been able to take a look at several planets, the moon and some galaxies which has been great. I'd like to try and take some photos but so far have been unsuccessful as the camera doesn't seem to want to focus or take a picture. I have read that supposedly you need to slow the shutter speed and have a higher iso setting but other than that I basically know nothing. I have tried with the camera attached to the focuser with the ring and also with a barlow lens and adaptor. The camera is my wifes older nikon d80. Searches seem to talk more about the equipment needed not necessarily how to undertake it. Any tips in relation to even the simplest settings or methods to at least try and get one photo would be appreciated.
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Hey Brett! I'm a beginner myself, so my advice should probably sit below any other who chime in!
I think keeping the barlow out of the "train" of gear is a good call. Have you tried taking a photo of a bright star first up, or perhaps the moon? I guess it will help to have something bright to try to bring to focus on the LCD scree/view finder. Confirm that you have the right gear in place by doing this.
You're right about settings/exposures being a bit different to general photography! Full manual mode is the way to go, you want control over everything. With my 8", I generally slew to an object and take a quick 20 or 30 second exposure at iso 3200 or 6400 depending on how faint i expect it to be, just to make sure its there in the frame. You'd need less time than that with your higher light gathering power. If you're getting nothing at these settings there is something wrong, as, even in my v short experience, it seems every piece of sky through a 10" dob would have something to show with an prime photo exposure like that.
Once you've confirmed that your object is in your frame, you can adjust settings (generally to a lower ISO, and you'll need to see what kind of exposure length your dob can handle without getting motion effects.. it will be short).
I hope this helps in some way. Stick with it mate, I'm sure it will happen for you
JP