|
|
Question by James: Could I use a camera with this telescope?
I would like to buy a first telescope and don’t want to spend more than £200. I would really like to be able to use it for photography of planets. I wondered if I could use this telescope to take some pictures using either an SLR, or a standard Canon Powershot IXUS 80 IS. Website: http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astronomical_telescopes/sky-watcher/auto-tracking_telecopes/evostar-80_auto
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Larry454
While I am impressed by your enthusiasm, I would recommend that you take your time with this decision. Skywatcher provides good products and backs them well, but this is not, in my opinion, a very good choice for a beginner. In addition, trying to take astrophotographs using this configuration would be difficult at best, especially with the cameras that you mentioned. Here is why I say these things:
1. You will be able to see the Moon and planets with this scope, but you will see little else. Once you see – and perhaps even photograph – the solar system objects 20 or 30 times, you will want to see other objects, but the small aperture on this scope will not allow you to do that.
2. If you use these cameras to try to take photos of the planets, you will have to mount them to the focuser using an adapter of some kind. This will badly unbalance the scope and prevent any tracking at all. This is turn will make it really tough to get clear images. Most of those who photograph the planets these days use webcams with faster, shorter scopes. These webcams will allow you to take several images and stack them using the accompanying software. Accurate tracking is nice, but not essential – for webcam images of the solar system only. Webcams are not terribly expensive, but they will cost a lot more than you are currently budgeted for. You could also use a piggy back mount, but this does not use the scope in the optical light path for the camera, so the scope optics do not affect the photos and I would still go for more aperture.
3. Since you are a beginner, you will find that there is a lot to learn about the sky before you start taking pictures. All of the folks I know who are successful at astrophotography have years of experience and have invested several thousand dollars. It simply is not as easy as pointing the scope and opening the shutter. Amateur astronomy is a great hobby just using visual methods, and that is a good way to prepare for the more painstaking efforts involved in astrophotography.
I do not want to dampen your interest. I would just like to see you approach this branch of the hobby in a realistic fashion. I would highly recommend that you take the time to really understand what you are getting into before you buy something that will gather dust because it’s tough (almost impossible) to use in the way you want to use it. Patience is a virtue. In the hobby of amateur astronomy, it is an absolute essential. Now is the time to start. Best of luck.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Question by browneyedbeautifulbeauty: Does anyone know where I can find a camera for a Tasco telescope? I would like to get one for my boyfriend?
What else do I need to buy for it? Is there an adapter? I guess I don’t know where to start or what exactly I need. Can anyone help me 
Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by Viola At Neon
The first thing you need to do is get a proper telescope, since Tasco telescopes are junk.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Question by Kainkin: What are the best settings and lenses for astro-photography using only the camera and no telescope?
I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with the standard 18-55mm lens that has an aperture of 3.5-5.6 I think and was wondering what is the best setting for that camera and lens combination to get the best results for taking pictures of the night sky (in terms of shutter speed, aperture, white balance, etc.). I do have a tripod but it is not equipped to move with the planets–no equitorial mount if that is what it is called. Also, I would like to get an inexpensive but still nice additional lens that may be better suited for astro-photography without a telescope, any suggestions?
Best answer:
Answer by fhotoace
You can do this yourself.
Using different ISO sensitivities to find the break-point where noise overcomes the night sky.
Next shoot at a fixed shutter speed that will capture the night sky with no camera movement (camera attached to the earth kind of movement) adjusting the f/stop until you find the best exposure for the various stars, bright to dim.
Play with different focal lengths and putting various foregrounds in the image (plants, notable buildings even a low fire with people moving around (for long exposures)
Once you have the optimum exposure/ISO combination then have some fun with your exposures. Long ones to get star streaks through the image, lighter sky at the horizon if you are near a city, those kinds of things. Since you are using a digital camera, film is cheap!!
I like to put my camera back down on the hood of my 4×4 (engine off of course) and use the self timer with the mirror locked up so I don’t introduce camera shake.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Question by Beetlle: is there a camera adapter compatible with an orion xt6 telescope?
I am interested in getting an Orion xt6 telescope and i also want to try my hand in astrophotography. I use a canon dslr. My question is, is there a camera adapter or t-ring that is compatible with an orion xt6 telescope? if there is, what would it be called?
I am an absolute amateur in astronomy. all the more in astrophotography AND telescopes.
Best answer:
Answer by Daryl S
I applaud your enthusiasm for astronomy and astrophotography. HOWEVER, astrophotography is a lot more that attaching a camera to a telescope and getting an image. First, an Orion XT6 is a Dobsonian mount scope. This is absolutely inappropriate for astrophotography. To take a photo of most objects, you’ll need to leave your camera’s shutter open for long periods (long being several seconds) unless you are shooting bright objects like the moon. Unless you have some kind of tracking on your scope, when you leave the shutter open all you will get is a blur as the object moves across your lens. GeoffG who frequents this site makes it a point to advise beginners in astronomy NOT to try astrophotography. You will be totally frustrated by the result. There are multiple variables involved in astrophotograhy that are too numerous too mention in a single post. Just learning to take a decent photo is a learning curve of about 6 months or more. I encourage you to keep the desire for astrophotography, but this is a series of small, baby steps; not one big leap. Also, the cost alone can be enough to deter a lot of folks. I started buying my equipment over a year ago and just got it all together…total cost approx. $ 4000. That’s the moderately low end. It can be done for less, depending on the results you would accept and be satisfied with. Anyway, after a year, I just started taking images this past September and believe me when I say that none of them will make Sky and Telescope magazine. Take your time, take small steps, get the right equipment, get more astronomical knowledge and try to find a good astronomy club. Don’t give up, just realize that it takes time….you’ll get there.
“…astrophotography is not difficult”….omg…. OK, let’s make sure we are clear on this so you are not confused or misled. As I said in my original post, “…It can be done for less, depending on the results you would accept and be satisfied with.” If you just want to take some pictures, that’s fine. If you want to do ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY, then my dear, that takes a great deal of time and is a big learning curve. I don’t think anyone is taking great photos of DSO’s such as galaxies and emission nebulas with $ 1000 of equipment and a few weeks of practice. No offense meant, just want to be realistic with this.
Add your own answer in the comments!
|
|
