Can i use a normal digital camera?

[crabbiT Scot]

Hi all,

Just wondered, as the moon is going to be a lot more visible in the coming week or so, is it possible to hold a normal digital camera up to a 25mm EP to get some kind of picture?

My long term goal is to get into astrophotography, but this will take some time to purchase all the gear. Just thought this might be a nice easy way to get started Next step is to buy a webcam!

Cheers,

Scott

[oldfruit]

Hi Scott, yes you can hold your camera up to the eyepiece and take a picture, it`s called digiscoping, plus you may well get some good results. You can even buy an adapter to hold your camera in place which would help to keep the camera steady but holding it with just your hands can be good too.

[oldfruit]

Just as an example i have attatched an image i took by holding a basic digital camera up to the eyepiece on my telescope. Not the best but much better can be achieved.

[crabbiT Scot]

Thanks oldfruit I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on!! I better remember to turn the flash off though lol

[oldfruit]

Yes turn the flash off. i have forgotten once or twice. It is really a matter of trial and error. Try taking pictures with different settings on your camera and find what gives the best results.

[Bizibilder]

You also need to disable the autofocus if that is possible (If not don't worry - it should work OK). You also have some control if you can change the ISO setting. Thirdly - if you can "fix" the camera in position you could use the shutter delay (2sec or 5 sec) to try and eliminate the dreaded "shakes" of the camera and mount caused when you try to push the shutter button!

[themos]

Not only the moon, I've taken a picture of Mars with that method and it showed the polar cap (ok, and not much else!). FLO sell an adaptor for that method.

first two on here:

Adaptors

[nightfisher]

I was playing about with my old 5meg mobile, its a sony cyber shot and the camera area is totally flat so it sits nice on the ep rubber cup, looking at trying some imaging using this as and when the clouds part! might even try to bond a mount to back of phone so i use timer feature, just an idea but could i take a movie on the moon then stack it in registax with this phone

[todd8137]

hi hope this helps

Stargazers Lounge - todd8137's Album: The Moon - Picture

cheers pat

[crabbiT Scot]

Well I had a go at the moon a couple weeks back, with some success!!

Maybe not the best picture of the moon, but I'm well chuffed

Cheers for the advice everyone!!!

[nightfisher]

thats a pretty good image, keep at it

[brantuk]

That's a great first image considering the way you took it - congrats

For moon phases I find Skyviewcafe a great piece of free software. It also has an ephemeris and other interesting simulations of Jupiter and Saturn:

Sky View Cafe - Astronomy - Star Charts and Ephemeris

[crabbiT Scot]

Thanks guys

Brantuk, that's an excellent website, thank you. Another one added to my favourites!!!

[TheBFG]

Sweet picture, imaging with a point and click can bring some great shots

[LukeSkywatcher]

Really good image for the method. You could improve on it by using a Universal Digital Camera Adapter. Its not too easy to hopld a camera up to the EP and focus.

Haha i think most of us have done it at one time or another.

[DrNeb]

I know i have Paul!

I've got some decent results through it, i found autofocus actually helped however.

Great shot btw! much better than my first attempt.

[Slangers]

I have done it many, many times. The images are not that brilliant, but are enough to give you a buzz and set you on the road to more sophisticated imaging. Here are some of mine: