Astro Newbie Needs Advice

Hello All!
Well, my love stars is coming back full force, and seeing as the photog bug has already infected me I thought I would combine the two.

I have the following gear - what can I shoot to start with, and what would you recommend as the next equipment purchase...
5DII, 40D, 30D
17-40, 70-200 2.8 IS, 400 5.6, 85 1.8
Manfrotto Tripod

I would love to shoot DSO's (learned that acronym here
Also, moon images and constellations.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Try reading these post first and then ask more of what you need to know in the Discussion Fporum . Have a nice....

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=766644

Are you prepared to venture into a hobby that can easily cost thousands of dollars?

I can't honestly make a recommendation without really knowing what your expectations, goals and budget are. The results you achieve can vary greatly depending on the equipment you invest in, and some of that can cost.

Download these two PDF files which should be a good start for you and give you a good idea of what to expect and what you will need..
http://www.mediafire.c​om …Astronomy_Photo​graphy.pdf

http://www.mediafire.c​om …DSLR_Astrophoto​graphy.pdf

Keltab I tried the above links but my security blocked them but you can learn alot from Jerry Lodriguess here : http://www.astropix.co​m/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP​.HTM . He's probably the best i have found on the internet that will give you alot of free info and his techniques are very simple the way he teaches . I recomend him highly , have contacted him several times in the past over a 12-yr period of time and he always has replied back very kindly . But as mentioned you can work with what you have but on a limited basis but to get really upgraded can cost you high $$$ so you really have to decide if this is the road you wish to take . I recommend starting out slowly and making sure it's what you want to sink your pocket book into . Some amateur astronomers have sunk thousands into there equipment and produce excellent images while others like me don't have a silver spoon so i choose to stay limited for personal reasons . However if your heart is in another photography field just remember the equipment you have will take you along ways into the future if you have photography taste . I don't know but that maybe where your at already and if you are congratulations and have fun !

For starting it would be a good idea to try something simple. If you have some simple DIY skills you can build a barn door-tracker for less than 100 bucks that will help you track for 5-10 mins with lenses <100 mm focal length. If you have some electronics skills you can add a small motor to track so you dont have to manually wind the screw. Just google for brandoor tracker. Once you get the constellations and large DSOs like andromeda galaxy, milkyway either in the summer or winter skies, Orion nebula region...and if you still want more you can invest and buy an astrotrac 320X

Here are some links to start you off.
Barndoor Tracker: http://www.cloudbait.c​om/projects/barndoor.h​tml
A simpler design: http://www.garyseronik​.com/?q=node/52

Here is the link for astrotrac: http://www.astrotrac.c​om/

A good website for used astronomy gear is http://www.astromart.c​om/

If you need any help PM me. I am new here but not new to astronomy!
clear skies
Vishnu

moonyguy wrote in post #10404549
A good website for used astronomy gear is http://www.astromart.c​om/

If you need any help PM me. I am new here but not new to astronomy!
clear skies
Vishnu

Good advice but be sure and mention that astromart charges $12.00/yr to be a member there and to be able to buy/sell anything . I've opt out of that .

Thanks for the help!
Celestron - I am trying this at a small budget first. I want to see if I like it, then I can MAYBE move into the more expensive gear. Who knows... maybe my wife will go for it too?
Thanks for the links and the rec on who might be a good resource!

moonyguy wrote in post #10404549
For starting it would be a good idea to try something simple. If you have some simple DIY skills you can build a barn door-tracker for less than 100 bucks that will help you track for 5-10 mins with lenses <100 mm focal length. If you have some electronics skills you can add a small motor to track so you dont have to manually wind the screw. Just google for brandoor tracker. Once you get the constellations and large DSOs like andromeda galaxy, milkyway either in the summer or winter skies, Orion nebula region...and if you still want more you can invest and buy an astrotrac 320X

Here are some links to start you off.
Barndoor Tracker: http://www.cloudbait.c​om/projects/barndoor.h​tml
A simpler design: http://www.garyseronik​.com/?q=node/52

Here is the link for astrotrac: http://www.astrotrac.c​om/

A good website for used astronomy gear is http://www.astromart.c​om/

If you need any help PM me. I am new here but not new to astronomy!
clear skies
Vishnu

Gary's design is pretty neat. How much weight do you think it can hold? 1D body with a 17-40L on it?