Camera Only Astrophotography

[martyc]

I'm a professional commercial photographer with a strong interest in astronomy and would like to take a shot at astrophotography. 

At my disposal are Nikon full frame bodies and f/2.8 lenses of various focal lengths. 

1 - Am I able to use only my camera/lenses without the need to invest in a telescope?

2 - Considering Earth's rotation, are there are motor drives available that I can attach to my tripod that will accept my camera?

Any other suggestions, observations welcome...

Thank You,

Marty

 

 

 

[kendg]

The answer to you questions are yes.

For the second question a good starting point is the Skywatcher Star Adventurer.  Lot's of info in the forums here.

Enjoy learning and have fun.

[geordie85]

There are alot of different options for dslr only imaging. I use a samyang 14mm with my canon 6d on a fixed tripod for milky way imaging. For deep sky imaging I use a samyang 135mm lens on the same camera but have a skywatcher star adventurer to track the stars and counter the earth's rotation.

[Cornelius Varley]

Hello and welcome to SGL. It is possible to take astrophotos without the aid of a telescope, check out the widefield imaging section. For long exposures you will need a small motorised mount such as the Skywatcher Star Adventurer or Vixen Polarie star Tracker. 

[kendg]

Here is one of the great threads here.

 

[SteveA]

My next door neighbour asked me the same question recently, he's also a keen photographer and wants to have a go at some astrophotography. He has a decent set of lenses and a decent Canon camera.

I advise he get hold of a Skywatcher Star Adventurer https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/skywatcher-star-adventurer-astronomy-bundle.html

Its not to expensive and some of the images I've seen posted here are rather good...

Steve

[davew]

The very quick answer to both questions is yes.

Just before you read up on too many answers can I suggest you head over to - https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/38-imaging-widefield-special-events-and-comets/  

And - https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/234-imaging-challenge-8-widefield-now-closed/

That will give you an idea of what people here are up to.

Dave.

Wow. As I write there are loads of answers appearing ! I type way too slowly

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I use a simple EQ3-2 mount rather than a Star Adventurer (because I had one already) and that can give very nice results with e.g. my 200 mm F/2.8 lens

[martyc]

Thank you so very much everyone for all the detailed replies. I'm looking forward to giving this a go.....  Marty

[rigradio]

On 3/6/2018 at 22:48, martyc said:

2 - Considering Earth's rotation, are there are motor drives available that I can attach to my tripod that will accept my camera?

 

Just in case you love DIY 

Hand powered

Motorized

Motorized

[bendiddley]

Thumbs up for the EQ3-2. I started in DSLR-only astrophotography with one of those, you just need an RA motor to go with it. You could then also use the EQ3-2 for visual astronomy if you got yourself a telescope too. Good luck!

[Lokifish]

Celestron LCM mounts are an often overlooked resource for shorter focal length AP. Not much bigger than a tracker, costs next to nothing, has tracking and goto. With a load capacity of around 5lbs, an MTO 500/8 is probably about the heaviest/longest lens one should put on it.