DSLR Imaging on a dob?

[Dom1961]

Hello, I was just wondering if it's possible to use a DSLR on a dob for DSO imaging? I have a manual 200p skyliner. Does anybody have any pictures they took from their dob using a DSLR, and if I do start, does the DSLR have to be modified in anyway? (except from taking the lens off) Thanks!

[ronin]

Generally not a feasible idea, you simply cannot track the object accurately enough for the exposure times required.

Well not unless you can stop the Earth from rotating, that however tends to be even more difficult.

Have seen some images that are good, very good, best description was too good to be true.

Thing is someone will get an image of something, then it is said Of course you can look at this!

But I suspect it is sort of once in 2 or 3 years and that does not really count.

Have seen a link to manual dobsonian images and as said very good, much better then an equitorial goto with guiding   (also not a spike on anything?) - looked too good to be true. Also I think the actual site said the imager owned a manual dobsonian, not sure that meant the images were with one. Subtle difference.

Moon should be OK, but really you have an f/5 lens on a bright object, youy do not need to track a 1/100 second exposure should do it.

Camera will not need modifing, will need a t-ring, scope may (probably will) need modifing to move mirror up the tube and then recollimating.

[Dally]

Someone made a manual for doing this but using a webcam to imaging planets butt... I'm thinking that the method can be adapted for DSLR for DSOs:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/176799-planet-astrophotography-with-a-manual-dobsonian-tutorial

There's a topic with some images of DSOs using altaz GOTO mounts, not exactly what you asked for but interesting imo :

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/228101-the-no-eq-dso-challenge/

[happy-kat]

You can not take a long enough exposure to capture that dso with out star trails.

[Scooot]

I had a go recently with my 16" standing on my Equatorial Platform. The tracking with this isn't good for imaging and it's very hit and miss. I was pleased with the cats eye but I suspect it was a bit of a fluke, and the cats eye is nearer to the pole so maybe that helped tracking wise. They were very short exposures, 2 seconds, except for m82 which was longer. If you want to image regularly its best to get a proper imaging set up although I think you can get reasonable efforts with a web cam on planets with a dob with some sort of tracking.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/246056-the-cats-eye-nebula-with-dob/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/245992-m57-with-dob/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/246264-m82-with-dob/

[Steve Ward]

With a 'tracking' dob on a wedge ...  tricky but kinda doable , with a manual dob ... not worth even trying ... 

[farunj]

You could try webcam imaging, which is only useful fir brighter objects like planets, and the moon. Many people have got fantastic images of Jupiter, Saturn and even Mars, using simple webcams. To do this you will need the webcam adapter, and you will need to do some changes on your webcam. Have a look at some online tutorials.

As for a DSLR, I once tried to image Jupiter but it was too small to get in a single image. The moon can be captured quite easily. But you need tracking to do any better.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Dom1961]

I already do webcams, but quite often the planets are behind houses as my house is south of where I view

[ollypenrice]

With a 'tracking' dob on a wedge ...  tricky but kinda doable , with a manual dob ... not worth even trying ... 

There is a big difference between an equatorial platform and a wedge. At mid latitudes a Dob would soon fall off a wedge! 

Olly

[adidd]

Dobsonians are not for astrofotography, especialy when talking about shooting DSO's.However,you can achive nice results in planetary imaging.But if you want to image DSO's i would recoment using a GoTo equatorial mount and maybe an OTA since dobsonian tubes are quite heavy.

Adrian

Clear skies!

[Astrosurf]

Have a look here:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-201-0-0-1-0.html

Good luck!

Alexxx

[jonnymac]

I will cost very little to hook up your DSLR to your telescope and you can get some very nice results,  I think I spent less than 20 quid on adaptors.  While I doubt you will get the stunning DSO images you see on this forum it is still a worthwhile endeavor while you are saving up for an NEQ6 mount 

[jonnymac]

I can't see how to edit my post to add this?

I have several nice images of the moon and a few of Jupiter with my unmodified Nikon D3300 and 200p skyliner

[happy-kat]

You need more posts before edit is enabled :-)

[astromackem]

I can't see how to edit my post to add this?

I have several nice images of the moon and a few of Jupiter with my unmodified Nikon D3300 and 200p skyliner

I have the exact set up as you.

What do I need to attach my camera? And what are some good settings?

Thanks