I am very new to astronomy and astrophotography and just started to dabble. This is one steep and enjoyable learning curve!
I have a new Celestron Nexstar 6SE and Canon 300 DSLR, still learning how to use both.
Took my first half decent photos a few nights ago, (couple of the moon), as a simple starting point. I hope they have attached properly below (low res).
Looking forward to imaging some nebula and galaxies with time.
Anyway, looks like a great forum with loads of information and some pretty clever people, so I look forward to the journey.
Brent - both moon shots were my camera screwed into the back of my scope. Both photos (from what I can tell going back through the original shots in my camera in playback mode) are: 1/500th Sec Tv, ISO 800, RAW format.
Although I absolutley love my Canon, it is an older model via ebay as a starter camera for this purpose before I commit the big $, and as such does not (that I can find anyway) have live view, so focussing is a series of photo, review, adjust, etc until its as good as I can tell on playback.
I reckon the day time one is pretty spot on, the night one lightly off focus.
Practise Practise Practise
The ones I posted are untouched JPEGS of the originals.
Couple of Star trails - my very first 2 efforts in my small hilly back yard.
I did them about the time of the moon shots - not ideal conditions for such an undertaking (it looks like day time!) - but I thought if I have to stand outside with my scope having a looksy in the cold, then why not put my camera to work too!
I just put this on ISO 100, the lowest I can go, and set to bulb for 1 and 2 hours not knowing what to expect when downloaded.
First one - 1 hr of the pointers.
Second one 2 hrs - pointers, sthn cross with Gacrux (is that the correct term?) the red one at the top.
I shall call it...."Moon shine on palm frond, with Gacrux"
I can't explain the discontinuity for the last few minutes of the shot...?
Anyway - look forward to a full moon in a couple of nights, then a go at a 4 hour trail when (lack of) moon rise permits.
I'll stop with the photos now under this thread and start posting in more relevant threads next time (still exploring this ICE monster...).
I am now coming to the conclusion thats its just about getting out there and giving it a red hot go - there will be dissapointments, but when you get one shot right, its all good. <sorry for the long speil - photos took forever to attach>
