120601 - Beginning in Astrophotography
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click image to enlarge. |
EQUIPMENT:
camera=Nikon D90 (stk) optics=NIKKOR 18-105mm DX kit zoom filter=(none) mount=simple fixed tripod |
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The most frequent question seen in online forums for Astrophotography (AP) is, "What equipment do I need to get started?" ...and by far, the best answer is, "Start with what you have."
The vast majority of us who want to experiment in AP already own a digital camera; because, we are already established in our hobby through daytime photography. A DSLR mounted on a sturdy, medium-duty tripod, and using an $affordable intervalometer is plenty of equipment to get started.
With that said, there are some "best practices" worth talking about to help with getting started in AP; especially when it comes to equipment...
Following is a table of 'recommended' equipment for the "long-game" in some of the more common styles of AP. While not all-encompassing of every nuance in the hobby, it (hopefully) provides enough detail to 'assist' with making decisions on acquisition of equipment for the "long-term"; ...reducing unnecessary duplication of effort and holding frustration and disappointment to a minimum.
The vast majority of us who want to experiment in AP already own a digital camera; because, we are already established in our hobby through daytime photography. A DSLR mounted on a sturdy, medium-duty tripod, and using an $affordable intervalometer is plenty of equipment to get started.
With that said, there are some "best practices" worth talking about to help with getting started in AP; especially when it comes to equipment...
Following is a table of 'recommended' equipment for the "long-game" in some of the more common styles of AP. While not all-encompassing of every nuance in the hobby, it (hopefully) provides enough detail to 'assist' with making decisions on acquisition of equipment for the "long-term"; ...reducing unnecessary duplication of effort and holding frustration and disappointment to a minimum.
click image to enlarge
AP has an extremely 'steep and long learning curve'. That is, no one runs outside with their nice, new DSLR camera and immediately starts capturing deep space images. There is a LOT to learn, a LOT of experimenting to do, and a LOT of trial-and-error to go thru. ...and, that will necessarily force you into following a structure and / or pattern of learning.
Assuming you have an interest in capturing various formations of nebulosity that exist throughout the skies, and in keeping with the 'Start with what you have' theme, one (1) very good approach toward learning is to start with 'Wide Field' AP. For those who already own a DSLR, wide field is the least equipment intensive, and (arguably) the easiest style to learn. It is also a natural 'segway' into imaging DSO's when we get further along the learning curve.
So, starting with Wide-Field...
AP is a deep-dive study into extra-long exposure photography. ...This is a VERY DIFFERENT type of photography from the sub-second exposures of daytime photography. While not all digital cameras are created equal, the DSLR camera is (arguably) a very good choice with-which to get started.
"Quick Shot" cameras (...there are as many names and descriptions for these style cameras as there are manufacturers...) need not apply. Here are a few reasons why:
‒ In addition, you need to learn how to set your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture manually, and 'lock' them out of any automatic operation.
‒ ...and perhaps the most important new skill of all, is to learn how to focus ...in the dark ...manually.
‒ Canon 'EF', Nikon 'F' and Sony 'E' are the lens mounts of choice for AP.
If by chance you don't yet own a DSLR, but still want to embark down this "rabbit hole" (...as those of us who participate in this hobby call it), Canon is the manufacturer of choice. Please don't take this wrong; your host is actually a Nikon guy. ...because as outlined above, a full set of Nikon lenses with a Nikon D90 body were already in-play. We are not "pushing" Canon equipment here. It's just that of all the manufactures available; Canon has done the best job of interfacing with other manufacturers of AP equipment. For example, most any telescope available in the AP market today comes with adapters and attachments for Canon DSLR cameras with 'EF' lenses. Nikon takes 2nd place; and Sony has made in-roads into the market in recent years.
So for now, concentrate on a 'wide-angle' field-of-view. (That is, a 'short' focal length.) Once you gain proficiency there, you can start working on tightening-in (zooming-in) on 'deeper' targets. For example with an 18-55mm kit lens, you should be able to get some very nice wide-angle starscape shots at ~24mmFL, ISO=1600 and 15-20 second exposures.
Yes, a "GoTo", fully tracking mount with an $expensive telescope may be in your future. But for now, recommend you concentrate on learning the sky, and on how to control your camera. There has been more than a few folks who have taken a deep-dive into their first 'rig' only to figure-out this hobby is not for them. ...And don't let anyone tell you that you need to go $expensive to get started - because (they will argue) if you don't, you'll be changing-out all your equipment multiple times. That's simply not true. Concentrate on, and be inquisitive toward learning; not toward impulsive buying. Learn what the capabilities of a piece of equipment are before you acquire it. Use the AP-Style chart above to assist. You're the one in control of where you go with this great hobby. Besides, AP equipment tends to hold its value well. You can always get on Cloudy Nights Classifieds and sell it to another deserving beginner when you're ready to move up.
You don't need to get into guiding yet; that'll come later. For now, concentrate on learning the sky, and capturing wide-field views of the Milky Way and whole constellation starscapes, and teach yourself how to control your camera. You should plan to go-ahead and dive into processing your exposures with a layers-based photography software like Photoshop, Affinity Photo or GIMP.
In the summer, look for the central core nucleus of the Milky Way. The constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpio hold some of the most rich areas in the entire sky for star clusters, nebulosity and DSO. This segment of the sky will start moving into evening views in late April into May, and be in prime positions through June and July. In winter, look for the constellation of the mighty hunter, Orion. It starts becoming visible in the early mornings of October and November, with full-evening views starting in December and lasting thru February. Orion is rich in both emission and reflection nebulae, star clusters, and also dark nebulae. In both seasons, look for dark evenings when we are in the new Moon phase; between the quarter Moons; that's when it is the darkest, and your images will yield their best contrast and detail.
Get online and watch videos by Trevor Jones of AstroBackyard.com. Nico Carver's YT videos are good too.
As an 'aside' ...With the recent advent of "smart telescope" technology, a very strong argument is being made that it is actually a 'better' starting point in AP than with a DSLR or dedicated astro-cam. While this is a strong argument, it is the firm belief of your Host that starting-out with this technology has three (3) distinct disadvantages:
1) As of this writing, smart scopes are generally only capable of capturing objects that fall within a finite 'mid-range' of focal lengths. At one end, they do not (yet) have the capability to image the smaller planets or DSO's. The optics being used are simply too small to capture planets (other than the Sun and Moon) or very small DSO's (like the more distant galaxies). At the other end of the range, they are not setup for wide field either. They cannot capture starscapes like the Milky Way. (Note: I promise to remove this one from the list as soon as the technology advances to where these deficiencies are overcome.)
2) Smart-Scope technology makes AP too EASY. ...That is, it effectively usurps the need to learn anything about the fundamentals of photography, or the pursuit of scientific knowledge. As a result, it effectively renders one unable to progress any further past the capabilities of the machine. ...no knowledge gained for application and progression into higher levels of AP, nor into the scientific fields of Physics or Astronomy. For those who enjoy learning; a smart-scope may not be the best choice.
3) While there is some level of outreach capability available by way of Electronically Assisted Astronomy ("EAA"), smart scopes have no direct observational capability. If you have a desire to conduct outreach with other people in a social setting, these machines make that outreach harder to achieve. ...there's just something 'special' about the simplicity of looking thru an eyepiece and seeing with your own eyes the Copernicus Crater, Jupiter's major moons, the rings of Saturn or the Trapezium cluster inside the Orion Nebula.
If none of these arguments concern you, then certainly, the new smart technology may be for you.
Most of all, have fun!
Assuming you have an interest in capturing various formations of nebulosity that exist throughout the skies, and in keeping with the 'Start with what you have' theme, one (1) very good approach toward learning is to start with 'Wide Field' AP. For those who already own a DSLR, wide field is the least equipment intensive, and (arguably) the easiest style to learn. It is also a natural 'segway' into imaging DSO's when we get further along the learning curve.
So, starting with Wide-Field...
AP is a deep-dive study into extra-long exposure photography. ...This is a VERY DIFFERENT type of photography from the sub-second exposures of daytime photography. While not all digital cameras are created equal, the DSLR camera is (arguably) a very good choice with-which to get started.
"Quick Shot" cameras (...there are as many names and descriptions for these style cameras as there are manufacturers...) need not apply. Here are a few reasons why:
- Your camera MUST be capable of full, manual control:
‒ In addition, you need to learn how to set your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture manually, and 'lock' them out of any automatic operation.
‒ ...and perhaps the most important new skill of all, is to learn how to focus ...in the dark ...manually.
- In order to be 'setup' for later expansion, the lens of your camera needs to be removable.
‒ Canon 'EF', Nikon 'F' and Sony 'E' are the lens mounts of choice for AP.
If by chance you don't yet own a DSLR, but still want to embark down this "rabbit hole" (...as those of us who participate in this hobby call it), Canon is the manufacturer of choice. Please don't take this wrong; your host is actually a Nikon guy. ...because as outlined above, a full set of Nikon lenses with a Nikon D90 body were already in-play. We are not "pushing" Canon equipment here. It's just that of all the manufactures available; Canon has done the best job of interfacing with other manufacturers of AP equipment. For example, most any telescope available in the AP market today comes with adapters and attachments for Canon DSLR cameras with 'EF' lenses. Nikon takes 2nd place; and Sony has made in-roads into the market in recent years.
So for now, concentrate on a 'wide-angle' field-of-view. (That is, a 'short' focal length.) Once you gain proficiency there, you can start working on tightening-in (zooming-in) on 'deeper' targets. For example with an 18-55mm kit lens, you should be able to get some very nice wide-angle starscape shots at ~24mmFL, ISO=1600 and 15-20 second exposures.
Yes, a "GoTo", fully tracking mount with an $expensive telescope may be in your future. But for now, recommend you concentrate on learning the sky, and on how to control your camera. There has been more than a few folks who have taken a deep-dive into their first 'rig' only to figure-out this hobby is not for them. ...And don't let anyone tell you that you need to go $expensive to get started - because (they will argue) if you don't, you'll be changing-out all your equipment multiple times. That's simply not true. Concentrate on, and be inquisitive toward learning; not toward impulsive buying. Learn what the capabilities of a piece of equipment are before you acquire it. Use the AP-Style chart above to assist. You're the one in control of where you go with this great hobby. Besides, AP equipment tends to hold its value well. You can always get on Cloudy Nights Classifieds and sell it to another deserving beginner when you're ready to move up.
You don't need to get into guiding yet; that'll come later. For now, concentrate on learning the sky, and capturing wide-field views of the Milky Way and whole constellation starscapes, and teach yourself how to control your camera. You should plan to go-ahead and dive into processing your exposures with a layers-based photography software like Photoshop, Affinity Photo or GIMP.
In the summer, look for the central core nucleus of the Milky Way. The constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpio hold some of the most rich areas in the entire sky for star clusters, nebulosity and DSO. This segment of the sky will start moving into evening views in late April into May, and be in prime positions through June and July. In winter, look for the constellation of the mighty hunter, Orion. It starts becoming visible in the early mornings of October and November, with full-evening views starting in December and lasting thru February. Orion is rich in both emission and reflection nebulae, star clusters, and also dark nebulae. In both seasons, look for dark evenings when we are in the new Moon phase; between the quarter Moons; that's when it is the darkest, and your images will yield their best contrast and detail.
Get online and watch videos by Trevor Jones of AstroBackyard.com. Nico Carver's YT videos are good too.
As an 'aside' ...With the recent advent of "smart telescope" technology, a very strong argument is being made that it is actually a 'better' starting point in AP than with a DSLR or dedicated astro-cam. While this is a strong argument, it is the firm belief of your Host that starting-out with this technology has three (3) distinct disadvantages:
1) As of this writing, smart scopes are generally only capable of capturing objects that fall within a finite 'mid-range' of focal lengths. At one end, they do not (yet) have the capability to image the smaller planets or DSO's. The optics being used are simply too small to capture planets (other than the Sun and Moon) or very small DSO's (like the more distant galaxies). At the other end of the range, they are not setup for wide field either. They cannot capture starscapes like the Milky Way. (Note: I promise to remove this one from the list as soon as the technology advances to where these deficiencies are overcome.)
2) Smart-Scope technology makes AP too EASY. ...That is, it effectively usurps the need to learn anything about the fundamentals of photography, or the pursuit of scientific knowledge. As a result, it effectively renders one unable to progress any further past the capabilities of the machine. ...no knowledge gained for application and progression into higher levels of AP, nor into the scientific fields of Physics or Astronomy. For those who enjoy learning; a smart-scope may not be the best choice.
3) While there is some level of outreach capability available by way of Electronically Assisted Astronomy ("EAA"), smart scopes have no direct observational capability. If you have a desire to conduct outreach with other people in a social setting, these machines make that outreach harder to achieve. ...there's just something 'special' about the simplicity of looking thru an eyepiece and seeing with your own eyes the Copernicus Crater, Jupiter's major moons, the rings of Saturn or the Trapezium cluster inside the Orion Nebula.
If none of these arguments concern you, then certainly, the new smart technology may be for you.
Most of all, have fun!