smr

Which guider and scope would you recommend and do you use? I have a question about sensors - if, for example, doing 60 second exposures for an hour and leaving 5 second delay between each exposure, can this damage a DSLR sensor? I only have one DSLR which I use everyday so I don't want to damage the sensor. Would it heat up too much?

Thanks Dave, that's a great help. So as I have an app showing me where polaris should be do I still put it diametrically opposite when aligning the scope ?

When I look through the polar scope 6 is pointing straight down but when I was looking at at something outside earlier it was upside down, is that normal?

Thanks. I think I must be being incredibly thick as I can't work this out... It says in the manual Rotate the date grad circle to align oct 31 to the 0 which is easy enough.... but then says turn the eye piece/mounting platform to align the Time Meridian Indicator to the 0 of the Time Meridian Circle... However if i move the mount it knocks the Date Graduation Circle out of alignment! I haven't got any batteries in the SA I should say, do I need to have the SA on to set the polar alignment up?

Thanks Steve, Is that the Celestron Starpointer Finderscope ? If so how does it mount in the hot shoe ?

Finally all set up, just to see how everything goes together. Thanks for the help. What I meant about the screwing bolt is showed into pics 1 - it will leave the mounting plate with lots of little indentations and marks on it and I wasn't sure if that's how it was supposed to be. The unit does seem well made, although the battery cover is very flimsy and comes off if you as much as breathe on it. Apart from that it seems quite solid. Does my pan tilt head look a bit daft on it? Will it work well for astrophototography do you think or should I invest in a ball head which may be easier ? I've not done any alignment or anything I just wanted to see how everything attaches together first. If all looks set to go I guess the next thing to learn is how to locate polaris and align properly. Any apps that can help me you'd recommend please. I've got an Android phone.

Getting there..

I understand that but the screwing bolt which holds the plate in place will mark it and as its screwing a metal bolt onto the metal plate. That's what I'm worried about.

Ok I think I'm getting there. One thing though, I want to slide the 'fine tuning mounting assembly' into the mounting assembly but there are no indentations or anything to lock the mounting bolt into it.. it would be screwing metal into metal - damaging the paintwork in the process. Or is that just the way it is?

Yep bought the photo bundle which comes with the wedge.

Stunning images! I received my Star Adventurer today. I am a bit confused though as how to set it up - do I use the equatorial mount or my tilt pan head ?

Hi all, The images you guys have taken and presented on this thread are amazing and now I'm feeling a lot happier about my decision to purchase the Star Adventurer Astro-photo bundle earlier today. I was feeling a bit unsure as to whether I'd made the right decision in purchasing but after viewing this images it's dissolved any of that. I am a total and utter newbie when it comes to astro photography, but not photography in general. Therefore I was wondering if any of you would be so kind as to help me out and offer some advice so that I can avoid any frustrations by not having the right equipment before setting out to do my first astro imaging by not being able to because I am missing certain gear. We are forecast for clear skies on Saturday night and I was thinking of having a first go then. I have the following lenses and equipment - please could you tell me which lenses would work best for AP and which I should leave out. My gear and lenses lenses are as follows: Canon 80D DSLR Remote Canon Shutter release Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 Tripod Manfrotto 3-Way Tilt Pan Head MHXPRO-3W Canon 24mm f/2.8 Canon 50mm f/1.8 Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Do I need a good ball head instead of the 3-Way head I currently have? If I want to take longer exposures to obtain more detail and better colours what would you recommend in terms of auto guiding ? There are so many options and I have no idea what would be suitable etc.. I have a laptop I could use for AP. Do I need an intervalometer ? I can't modify my Canon 80D as it's my only DSLR but in the future and if I pursue this hobby I could invest in another DSLR and have it modded, I started out with a 700D so know the older rebel series quite well. Any advice greatly appreciated.