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Idiot's guide to DSO photography? Any helpers?!

emadmoussa

By emadmoussa
in The Astro Lounge

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

Posted
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Hola,

OK, here's the deal, guys. Please no acronyms or technical terms, just plain English if possible. OK, I want to be able to take photos of DSO (here's an acronym I'm breaking my own rule). Well, planets not quite a difficult task. My webcam can do the job, not with the WOW factor though...but it at least sets the principles. My whole confusion is over DSO photography and digitalizing my viewing.

So, plainly..

1) Some people will say that it's not possible, or perhaps not ideal, to take DSO photographs on EQ5 mount. Others may disagree. But most agree exposure is an essential element in the process. Correct me if I'm wrong please. So, basically, how good is the lowest Canon EOS in DOS photography? Are there any cheaper alternatives? T-Adaptor and the Ring...which one is for attaching the cam to the telescope, or do I need both?

2) A webcam doesn't work as a digital eyepiece, does it? You can't see stars through it like in the naked eye. So, how can I use the computer screen as an alternative to the direct nake eye viewing through the eyepiece? Are digital eyepieces, or described so, out there any good?

Sorry for the barrage of questions...but desparate times require desparate measures, don't they?! ;)

FYI, I've got a 200p reflector, SW ST80 and the ST120 is on the way. I use EQ5 for all of them.

IM

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foundaplanet

foundaplanet

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Sorry for the barrage of questions...but desparate times require desparate measures, don't they?! ;)

IM

Desperate times in this department have only one real solution and that is 'Making every Photon Count' available from Flo. It should be inscribed as a header on the photo section...:)

I kind of dabbled in ap a little with a dslr (unmodded) and had some okay results unguided. It all depends where you want to set you standard and what you want to achieve.

If I could offer any advice it would be to start with a dslr and a drive for your eq5 and do some 30sec exposures unguided of the larger objects. Keep it simple and as cheap as possible until you fully understand and appreciate how involved and difficult and OCD it all is...:)

Good luck

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JKB

JKB

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As mentioned get the book Every Photon Counts.

My set up started on a EQ3-2 now on HEQ5

Camera I use is a 2nd hand Canon EOS 30D and can be bought pretty cheap. As said start off simple. Try Orion or perhaps M45 as quite bright and do some 30 to 90sec exposure to test. Just take loads of them. I used to get around 90s on the EQ3-2 is correctly aligned.

As for digital eyepiece I have no experience but believe they can be purchased.

Good luck!

Jamie

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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As mentioned get the book Every Photon Counts.

My set up started on a EQ3-2 now on HEQ5

Camera I use is a 2nd hand Canon EOS 30D and can be bought pretty cheap. As said start off simple. Try Orion or perhaps M45 as quite bright and do some 30 to 90sec exposure to test. Just take loads of them. I used to get around 90s on the EQ3-2 is correctly aligned.

As for digital eyepiece I have no experience but believe they can be purchased.

Good luck!

Jamie

Thanks for the tip. How did you find the Canon EOS 30D? Do you have any image examples?

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nephilim

nephilim

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Haha, not sure about that I'm learning all of this myself & my heads full of stuff, some useful & a lot not. Theres so much to get ur head around. Btw a lot of people use this http://www.backyardeos.com/ (30 day free trial & £15 to buy) it lets u control ur Canon via the laptop, so u can set the framing, focus & exposures without touching ur camera, u can take a few very short exposures which will let u see on ur screen what the scope is 'seeing' alot better than ur eye can.

Steve

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JKB

JKB

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Thanks for the tip. How did you find the Canon EOS 30D? Do you have any image examples?

Hi Check my sig for link to website. All images (apart from planets) taken using the 30D

I bought mine from 'the bay' for £100 body only but with several batteries and bits and bobs.

DSO and Cheap do go together! Yes you won't get Hubble images but what you can get you will be happy with. It all depends how far you want to go. It's the same with any hobby. The most important thing is you enjoy it!

Cheers

Jamie

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RikM

RikM

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Deep sky astrophotography can cost a fortune, but it doesn't have to. This thread should give you some idea what can be achieved with modest equipment, given an understanding of the subject and the determination to give it a go.

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