Help me!

I got stuck in the world of astrophotography!

I'm looking for whatever I need to start it. As far as I know, you need a reflector and an adapter. (And more obviously).

Could anyone help me with finding a decent scope, which is in my budget of €300?

What would I need to get my 1000D on that scope?

Thanks a bunch!

Ooh, you might get a little overwhelmed with responses with a relatively vague question like that. But hey, you've come to a good place.

1) For astrophotography (AP) you basically only need a camera. A camera on a fixed tripod and a wide-ish angle lens and you can shoot starfields and perhaps even the Milky Way if it's really dark and clear where you are.

2) For Lunar and Planetary photography you'll want a zoom lens or telescope really, to get closer. An Equatorial (EQ) tracking mount helps, but isn't essential.

3) Reflectors aren't necessarily the best telescopes to get for AP. Newtonian Reflectors are probably the most common, but don't always allow you to get focus with a DLSR. Refractors are generally the best, and a good one to start with.

4) T-Adapter and T-Ring are the two items you'll need to attach your camera to a telescope. T-Ring will be specific to your camera, which connects to the T-Adapter, which slots into the telescope focuser.

5) For Deep Sky Objects (DSOs) which are generally very dim and require long exposures, your main requirement is going to be a motorised EQ mount. Something like an EQ5/EQ6, or an AstroTrac. These turn your imaging equipment to counter the turning of the earth, and thus keeping the stars from moving. The best telescope in the world is mostly useless without a good mount. The best mount in the world could get good results from even a crappy telescope, so the mount is generally the most important thing if you're wanting to take long exposures.

What is it you're wanting to photograph anyway?

How much do you want to spend?

I have a zoomlens and a tripod, but I want to be able to take pictures of the moon and other object more effectively.

I'm willing to spend 300 euros or maybe a bit more. This should cover the refractor, T-ring and T-adapter.

Thanks for the comments.

The problem with wanting to zoom in more is that the more you zoom in the more it magnifies the apparent movement of the sky, so that means you need a tracking mount to stop the stars moving. If you want to take photos of faint things like nebulae and galaxies then you need to do longer exposures, which also means you need a tracking mount. I don't think you'll get much of a mount and a telescope for €300.

If you don't have a tracking mount then you can still photograph big things (like the milky way and whole constellations) and bright things like the moon and some planets.

To an extent you can get round the tracking problem by taking lots of shorter exposures and stacking them in deep sky stacker. That software will account for the movement and combine the images to reduce noise and bring out some faint detail.

When I was in your position I bought a remote shutter release and a prime lens (for sharpness and a wider aperture). The shutter release lets you take pictures without moving the camera and you can lock it open in continuous mode to take lots of exposures.

You can try different focal lengths with your zoom to see what fits in the frame. The shorter focal length you use the longer you can expose before the stars turn into short lines. You'll probably have to focus manually using live view.

MintMark wrote in post #8784913
The problem with wanting to zoom in more is that the more you zoom in the more it magnifies the apparent movement of the sky, so that means you need a tracking mount to stop the stars moving. If you want to take photos of faint things like nebulae and galaxies then you need to do longer exposures, which also means you need a tracking mount. I don't think you'll get much of a mount and a telescope for €300.

If you don't have a tracking mount then you can still photograph big things (like the milky way and whole constellations) and bright things like the moon and some planets.

To an extent you can get round the tracking problem by taking lots of shorter exposures and stacking them in deep sky stacker. That software will account for the movement and combine the images to reduce noise and bring out some faint detail.

When I was in your position I bought a remote shutter release and a prime lens (for sharpness and a wider aperture). The shutter release lets you take pictures without moving the camera and you can lock it open in continuous mode to take lots of exposures.

You can try different focal lengths with your zoom to see what fits in the frame. The shorter focal length you use the longer you can expose before the stars turn into short lines. You'll probably have to focus manually using live view.

This really helped, thanks. I think I know enough for know, but further information is always welcome.

Thanks Mintmark, I can go do some research now!

RobinSchouten wrote in post #8778493
I have a zoomlens and a tripod, but I want to be able to take pictures of the moon and other object more effectively.

For the moon you don't *need* a tracking mount. It would help, but isn't vital, because your exposures are generally going to be very short...1/100th to 1/500th or thereabouts. Your tripod will need to be quite sturdy because quality refractors, even relatively small ones, can be quite heavy.

I've got a 420mm refractor and have taken quite nice moon shots with it. The telescope has a built-on mount arm which can screw straight onto a standard tripod, but mine's a very wobbly tripod and vibrations take ages to disappear.

Adrena1in wrote in post #8776687
4) T-Adapter and T-Ring are the two items you'll need to attach your camera to a telescope. T-Ring will be specific to your camera, which connects to the T-Adapter, which slots into the telescope focuser.

I guess this is as good a place as any to ask questions... I'd like to start getting into this.

Is the T-Adapter unique to the model of Telescope?

gkarris wrote in post #8802452
Is the T-Adapter unique to the model of Telescope?

There are T-adapters available that are specific to telescope types but most fit into the place where an eyepiece goes.
If your telescope has an eyepiece that is 1.25" in diameter you're in luck. If your eyepiece is 0.965" you may have trouble finding an adapter and when you do, the results may not be all that you are hoping for.

Steve.