Beginner to Astrophotography. What to buy?

[Andre85 (Andrea)]

Hi there, my name is Andrea and I'm new on this forum.

I like taking photos and I would love to get a telescope so I could take some photos of stars or planet! Slowly slowly

I am writing here to ask some tips on what to buy. I know to take long exposure photos I should get an equatorial mount, right?

My budget is more or less $1000. If you need more info just ask

Thanks in advance for your help!


Andrea

[kittenshark (Cheryl-Ann Tan)]

Hi Andrea, $1000 is generally hard to do astrophotography, but I'm also in a similar challenge to put together the most affordable astrophotography setup possible. I think a good starting point is already what you've got--just starting with a DSLR and some decent lenses, seeing that you're already into photography and long exposures.

There are some mini EQ mounts for cameras like the Skywatcher Star Adventurer or the iOptron Skytracker. They go on top of a regular camera tripod. I know the Star Adventurer takes up to 5kg and has an option to add a counterweight. So in addition to your camera, it will take a small scope.

I had a chance to play with the Star Adventurer last week with just a wide angle camera lens. It seems to be happy with a small scope like a 90mm Cassegrain or a small refractor but I haven't tried that yet.

Of course, if you see a "real" EQ mount up for grabs in classifieds or elsewhere, go for it!

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Hi Andrea,

I would be looking for second hand HEQ5 mount and either an 8"newt or a ed80 refractor (or similar).

I'd then start with a DSLR with appropriate connections. you can buy a guide camera setup afterwards there is no need to rush for that.

here is an example setup around your price http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=137162

Russ

[Andre85 (Andrea)]

Thank you for the advices! I actually realised $1000 is not much. What if I go up to $2000?

[raymo]

To get decent consistent results the most important three things are
mount, mount, and mount. No matter how good your scope, or
technique, poor mount, poor results. Having said that, IMO a used
Skywatcher HEQ5 or equivalent is the minimum requirement.
$2000 would get you the used mount and scope suggested by Russ, and a new or used entry level DSLR, plus essential accessories, and a suitable
power source.
raymo

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Do you like widefield or deep sky objects? The type of astrophotography will dictate what gear you buy, at first. And as raymo has mentioned the mount is the mainstay.

Mounts come in several varieties, with varying degrees of automation. The basics of a good mount are sturdiness, capacity and low periodic error (PE). If you can find these qualities in a mount for a reasonable price you are doing well.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

+1 yeah the mount is key, but the sky is big and wide so you need to get a feel for which objects you're most interested in imaging and tailor your scope/lens for the right image scale.

Naturally, there are lots of choices, but for example if you were interested in wide field, i.e. Milky Way or constellation imaging you'd need a camera lens that can take it in, preferably fast too. But you'd be able to use a (less expensive) sky tracker device on a sturdy tripod. For the larger nebulae and/or star fields a longer focal length lens or small telescope might be a good fit, but you'd get into the realms where you'd need a more capable mount, like a HEQ5. Once you get keen for smaller objects, you need a larger and/or longer focal length telescope and heavier duty mount.

The sky is the limit