drdre2030

Yeah surprised how well it came out. Thanks, it didn't take much to get it. Think just steadying it as much as possible and focusing helped. Nice phone carrier...but almost same price as the telescope! My plan is to get a barlow lens with a thread to attach a DSLR so should be better photos that way, I hope!

Obviously not the first shot of the moon, nor my first shot of the moon, but it was the first shot of the moon through my daughters Celestron Zhumell Z100. Just phone held by hand to the lens, so thought it came out pretty good. My daughters first time looking at the moon too, she was blown away...even the wife had a look and said it was amazing (no interest in the stars). So, now clearly need to get a proper way to mount the DSLR to it and get some clearer/better shots.

I did! I actually pointed the camera that way as looked up what nebula was the brightest and in view currently, then used Stellarium to see where it was! I've certainly not worked it out yet, and have seen a load of plugins, stacking, etc can all help. But will try to just get a feel for it for now, I have a D5500 with a 35mm f1.8, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR and a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 - so any tips would be very welcomed, as also been a while since I've properly used the camera too!

Just wanted to say a thank you for the recommendations and I managed to pick up a Zhummel z100 for £68 off amazon (open box), my daughter and I used it for the first time last night and she was so giddy! She loved the fact we managed to see Jupiter, albeit just looked like a brighter star still! She was utilising the Stellarium App and I think generally knew what she was looking at too. Think it still needs setting up a bit more precisely, and certainly a bit of getting use to everything but she went to bed very happy last night!

Bor'TLE DaS!

Welcome DeannaRose to SGL! Whilst a little way round the globe on the south coast of England, I am similar in Bortle scale - live just inside Bortle 5, but 5 minute drive and in Bortle 4...could call it 4.5

Yeah still a lot more than I have! Spent £68 on the scope, and the D5500 I've had for ages now no money for any big equipment, however tempting I know it will become! Sounds a good balance you have though as the set up time I think I would lose interest quickly too.

Well I'm the novice to the novice, my daughter for her 11th birthday wanted a telescope...so we got the Zhummel Z100 (basically the same as the Heritage 100P), used it for the first time last night. Was good, I don't think we have it set up probably yet, but it was good enough and lined up the RDS enough for some point and view, saw Jupiter which she was very excited to have seen. Feel we definitely need something with a bit more magnification though, and it did inspire me to stay out in the cold for hours messing around with my DSLR too - didn't result in many good shots. 😂 Enjoy though, and make the most of (when they occur) any clear nights! 😁

Yes that's what I saw, only in chart form!

No expert...but the Bortal scale does use the NELM magnitude which is kind of what you are looking for I think, whilst maybe not brightness per se but is a scale. I think the difference between B2 to B1, B3 to B2 is not that big, B4 to B3 starts to make a difference, then each one after exponentially. I think as you say with things not being exact or outdated, trying to find reviews or people who have been to other places is probably a subjective, but informed way of trying to know if worth it.

After trying out my daughters new Zhumell Z100, when she went to bed I decided to have a play around with my Nikon D5500 and the phone, best two shots I think I got - that didn't have massive light blurs, or horrible flares etc. Nikon D5500, 35mm (f1.8), shot at f2.2 ISO400 touched up in Photoshop (not used it in years...so probably not great work either!) Pixel 7 Pro, Astro mode and again touched up in Photoshop (mainly to remove the light pollution).

Scary mozzies! 😂

Welcome to SGL!

Warm welcome to SGL! Can't offer any help as a complete newbie myself, but good luck and good viewing!

Welcome to SGL! Sounds like got all the gear, and no sky! It will come I'm sure!