Starting out in astrophotography - which way to go?

[Peje]

So, after me pestering many of you here (sorry and thank you!), I have finally decided what kit to get:

• Skywatcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro
• AZ EQ5 GT Mount
• Field flatter/0.85x reducer (to f/6.37)
• T-Mount and adapter for Canon dSLR
• I will be getting my Canon 500D modded and use that initially

I will use this set up for visual observing and unguided imaging. Once I feel I have made some progress, enough to move on, my next step will be auto-guiding, plate solving and auto-focusing.

Initially I shall do everything with the laptop connected, even when visual observing. That way I will get to know some of the software and get used to setting up etc.

I'll be using the following software initially:

• EQMOD for mount control
• Cartes du Ciel for planetarium and goto functions
• BackyardEOS for focusing and image collection
• Deep Sky Stacker
• Photoshop CC
• AstroTortilla for plate solving (later)
• PHD2 for guiding (later)

I will probably change some of this software as I get more experienced.

That should keep me busy for a while!!!!!

I hope to be ordering the hardware from First Light Optics this week.

Once again, thanks everyone, especially to Barry Wilson who put up with my questioning for 2 hours when I visited him last week. I am sure I will have questions setting this little lot up

Have you considered "Control My Canon" to control you tethered DSLR? I got the Nikon variant and it works fantastically

[MattJenko]

Can anyone give me some more information "Making every photon count"; does this cover lunar or planetary photography also?

It is geared towards DSO imaging, not planetary or lunar.

[Peje]

It is geared towards DSO imaging, not planetary or lunar.

Thanks Matt, I ordered it anyway as it's bound to have some information I will find useful even if I don't use it immediately. Also gives me something to read while I wait for my mount