Astrophotography

[Taranto]

Well I'm surely interested in astrophotography. Or maybe not. I really don't know -- to be completely honest. I am sure however, that i want to buy a telescope, and observe the far sides of this perpetually expanding, glorious universe of ours. So i won't be modest, and arrogantly demand help.

My real predicament is the fact that i live in Toronto. Toronto, if you don't know, is a place where the coorprorate world frankly does not give a "poo" about the environment. So i am covered by a greyish sort-of cloud that seems destined to suffocate me in my sleep. Could someone provide a list of telescopes (reflectors, refractors, i don't really know; although refractors are smaller, so i 'guess' that's most acceptable) and their respective ranges; that is, which aperatures and magnifications provide, let's say, a view of Neptune.

Also, from what i have read, digital cameras are the outcasts of the astrophotography world. What camera is best for me? What are the "adapaters" which provide access to my telescope with a camera called?

Any information is truly very helpful.

Thank you.

I live 40km due south of Toronto. I feel your pain. I would suggest you not rush headlong into purchasing astrophotography gear. Instead, take the binoculars that you probably have somewhere in one of your closets, and a simple star chart, and drive 100km north some evening, say to Barrie, and head someplace rural, so you can see the sky. Orient yourself and look around, and begin to get to know the sky. It will help with your breathing problem.

Find out when a local astronomy club meets, and go to a meeting. The first couple of meetings won't usually cost you anything, and talk to people who do astrophotography. You are looking at a scope with a motorized equatorial drive, or a goto system, so you aren't going to find it at Wal-mart. Khan scope centre seems to have a good rep, and it's on Dufferin, if I remember. But talk to people before you part with several hundred dollars.

Go to Starfest in Mount Forest for a day and a night. Google it. It may be spelled Star Fest. Walk about and talk to people about their equipment, which they will have set up in front of their tents and trailers. Most of them are desperate to show it off to you. It's around teh first week of August.

I confess, I don't do astrophotography, other than pointing my camera at the ep and taking a picture of the moon once in a while. I do know that many people are using digital cameras for this, usually the expensive ones like the Canon Rebel which costs $1100 Cdn. They like them because they can run them trhough Photo Shop, etc., and enhance the pictures, and show them to their friends the very next day. I know many astrophotographers who have hdd their work published in commercial magazines, calendars, books and web pages, all with digital cameras.

Hope this is of some use to you. As I said, don't rush; the sky will still be there next year.

[Eugene N]

You are either a good swimmer or live on a boat, because 40 Km due south of Toronto puts you right into Lake Ontario?...:-)
Clear skies, (and water)
Eugene

Take the ruler to the map again. 40 km south of Toronto, approximately, puts me in St. Catharines, Ontario. Please don't tell me that I don't know where I live. :P

[Eugene N]

Not being an astrophotographer I can't say first hand, but the Meade LX200 are noted for their easy adaptability for photography. Personally, if what you say about not being sure if you want to do photo, I would start with a Dob. The Hardin line of scopes as well as the Orion dobs are perfect for beginners. The biggest problem with wanting to do photo work is that you need both very good optics AND a superior mount. Now you are talking about spending some serious bucks to get both of those. Whereas with visual only use of the scope you can get by with a less expensive mount and less than perfect optics. If long exposure shots are not in your future, you could always put a dob on a tracking platform and use that for photo work. I would post your question on a astrophoto forum for better advice on actual equipment. Clear skies,

[AstroChick1974]

The image I have as my avatar was taken with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I have T-mount adapter that I screwed onto the camera and then attached my "Monster ZOOMER" which is a Vivitar 1300mm Variable Manual Telephoto Zoom lens. So even if many shun the DSLR idea... sometimes you will see it many be enough to have your camera alone and sometimes you may want to have it coupled to the telescope. Depends on $$, location, opportunity, as well as how motivated you are to lug everything around (like I am most of the time).

[admin]

Hi AstroChick welcome to the forums! We have a similar camera and would like to a few tips on how you are using yours

[BobDob]

Cool! Four newcomers or recent comers or maybe comers to say "Hi and welcome" to.

Taranto, there is hope. My suggetion is take WPF's suggestion to heart. "Baby steps" for now and do what you can with the locals (astronomy club) to find your way. When the time comes, you can "belly up" to a MallinCam or a StellaCam, both of which can even image in daylight if you really want to. They are real polution killers.

And, there's new technology such as the Collins 13 or the BIPH. Lotsa options are out here for the pollution challenged, and more on the way. Perservere...

WPF, thanks for jumping in here. Your advice is very good! You'd do us a favor by registering and comin' on board. We can use input like your's to improve the mix in our membership.

Eugene, welcome to AF. Good points you've made in your post. We look forward to hearing more from you.

AstroChick, good advice! Thanks for contributing. You are a very welcome addition to our merry band at AF. Jump in anytime with your insights, please.

Clear Skies, all!

[star drop]

Hi AstroChick1974,

Welcome to Astronomy Forum.
That is a very nice avatar that you have.

[AstroChick1974]

Wow...what a welcome!!
Hello to you all!! Out here in East Cenral Nebraska we had an AWESOME veiwing night two nights ago. It was so clear that I saw Jupiter, Saturn, and even the Milky Way...at least it looked like it.So far I have only taken pics of the moon and a few starry nights...but I am learning as I go and am excited to be a part of this group. HI All!!!