Astrophotography Telescope Setups and Discussions

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Thread Introduction:

I thought I would make a thread about astrophotography and telescope setups. I made this thread just in case anyone is interested in starting, already has a setup, ask questions, show pictures, give examples, etc.

This thread can also be used for just overall general photography, cameras, etc etc etc... I'm only putting down what "I" know and will let the more experienced guys add in with whatever gets discussed, etc. :thumbsup:

I was on another forum, I believe it was "Clo*dy N*gh*s" (Note: I did the "*" for a reason) and I was not very interested in staying for long because it was like a dick measuring contest over there with people more interested in boasting how much their rig setup costed vs other peoples... it just seriously rubbed me the wrong way!!! I F'N HATE IT when people have to show off what they have and not answer a simple F'N QUESTION, but yet instead would rather belittle or put down what one can afford or are ignorant of a particular subject and the other person just won't give any real help. I really don't know how to convey that thought? Me, as some know how "I" am, I'm the type of person that likes to help people actually learn a subject as I don't judge other peoples income status and what they can and cannot afford, but instead answer the question and give them ideas or alternatives and help them learn. I don't know everything about radios, for example, but I know more than your average person due to my background and work experiences.

Anyways, I haven't been back to that web site for a few years now because I'd probably go tell someone at this point they can shove their telescope up their a$$ and extend the tube!!!

-rant over :ontopic::noidea:

So, with that said, I hope there are people here that have this as a hobby or would like to start out as a hobby. I'll make a few reserved posts to help break down components (i.e. telescope tube/type, tripods, cameras/ccd imagers, accessories, and computer setups) and cut/paste links as well to those particular posts so as to try to prevent things from getting too buried.

This first post will be an introduction post along with whatever else happens to come to mind...

I just very recently fixed my broken laptop by replacing the main board and now relearning things as I haven't done anything related to telescopes for a while, but know the basics at least.

Anyways, start asking, post pictures, etc etc etc...

Btw, ALWAYS LOOK for any of my "NOTE" comments as they will be very important to read and you will see why, especially if you are new to the hobby!!!
 
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WORK IN PROGRESS!!! WORK IN PROGRESS!!! WORK IN PROGRESS!!!

Telescope Tubes and Types:

Below are the 3x most basic and very popular designs. They each have their pros/cons and I will try to detail that as briefly as I can.

NOTE: if you are new to the astronomy hobby, do NOT get tricked into the magnification scam!!! Sometimes you'll see something like "UP TO 1100x MAGNIFYING POWER"... or something similar. But, the real thing is is that, if you do the math, yes, it comes out to 1100x or some HIGH number, but there is an actual magnifying power limitation and I will display the formula (pretty simple) as well as other basic formulas that one needs to know. The formulas are super simple.

Refractor Telescope:
RefractorTelescope_breakdown.jpg

Newtonian Telescope:
NewtonianTelescope_breakdown.jpg

Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope: (a.k.a. SCT)
SchmidtCassegrainTelescope_breakdown.jpg
 
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Chris In Milwaukee

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A few of my night shots. I was so amazed at how much light the camera could capture at night. I've been wanting to get back into shooting the night sky.

Nikon 3300 a good tripod and a remote shutter control
Keep looking up.
Gorgeous stuff! Every time I try to shoot the moon, it’s a blown out white blob.
 
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Gorgeous stuff! Every time I try to shoot the moon, it’s a blown out white blob.
Thanks

Honestly a lot of those are my first night shots. At the time I was reading a lot on the internet about camera settings and shit. I think I’m pretty lucky too.

You being a rich white guy could probably pay someone to teach you. Or just get them to do it and say you did it.
 

Chris In Milwaukee

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Thanks

Honestly a lot of those are my first night shots. At the time I was reading a lot on the internet about camera settings and shit. I think I’m pretty lucky too.

You being a rich white guy could probably pay someone to teach you. Or just get them to do it and say you did it.
An option to explore, no doubt.
 
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Chan, have you ever "tracked" the moon or any of the planets with your go to mount? But yeah, AWESOME picture of the "Man on the Moon" shot!!! :thumbsup:

I've never had a go to mount up until around 2015 or thereabouts. It's always been manual movement control and polar aligning the best I could, which was almost never!!! :deadbanana: HAHAHAHAHA, :rofl::rofl::rofl: One of my older tripods has a RA motorized device on it and it works/worked pretty good up until recently. I need to figure out what is going on with it?

Anyways, I have the Canon Rebel EOS T1i. :thumbsup:

Very nice Chan!!! :thumbsup:
 
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View attachment 32072View attachment 32075View attachment 32076View attachment 32071View attachment 32074View attachment 32077View attachment 32078View attachment 32073

A few of my night shots. I was so amazed at how much light the camera could capture at night. I've been wanting to get back into shooting the night sky.

Nikon 3300 a good tripod and a remote shutter control
Keep looking up.
I like the lake shot with the canoe style boat or whatever it is in the lower left corner and the night shots came out really well. :thumbsup:
 

Bigbarlo

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Chan, have you ever "tracked" the moon or any of the planets with your go to mount? Buy yeah, AWESOME picture of the "Man on the Moon" shot!!! :thumbsup:

I've never had a go to mount up until around 2015 or thereabouts. It's always been manual movement control and polar aligning the best I could, which was almost never!!! :deadbanana: HAHAHAHAHA, :rofl::rofl::rofl: One of my older tripods has a RA motorized device on it and it works/worked pretty good up until recently. I need to figure out what is going on with it?

Anyways, I have the Canon Rebel EOS T1i. :thumbsup:

Very nice Chan!!! :thumbsup:
I do track. A lot easier these days. Do you have t-mount for your Canon?
 

4runner DOA

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If you guys really wanna get the good pics, get your cameras converted for astrophotography. I think it's just an IR filter over the sensor or something. Canon sold a specific camera for astrophotography for awhile, already modded, but they were really hard to get.
 
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Do you have t-mount for your Canon?
Yes sir. :thumbsup:

I got this adapter a LONNNNNG time ago. You have the option of inserting an eyepiece in it so you can actually zoom in more as an option. Works pretty good, but as you can see, it will only fit .965's... Again, pretty old adapter, but it works.

The t-ring is holding the camera adapter on as you can see.
IMG_20201231_184108199.jpg

IMG_20201231_184134388.jpg
 
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