Thought I share with everyone specially those of you who have mastered the moon photography :) and for others to try as well!
I am buying a new camera today not sure out of these the one I will find in stores and will be affordable so I can purchase memory card too.
Does anyone know what I can look for to add to one of my camera choices so I can photograph the moon?
Fugi Fine Pix S3100
S3000
S602
Canon S1 S50
Power shot A80
A303
Kodak 6490
Go to Scopetronix. They specialize in adapters to fit cameras to telescopes and will have everything you need. If you want to choose a camera that is well suited to astrophotography, I recommend you do some significant reading before you buy.
There are lots of yahoo groups that focus on astrophotography with digital cameras, some generic, some specific to certain cameras.
For planetary/sun/moon photography, I use a Nikon Coolpix 4500, which is great because the zoom mechanism is internal. Unfortunately, Nikon no longer makes this one, though there are still plenty available on the gray market. Any dSLR will work fine (with adapters) but make sure you learn first and buy second.
My telescope is a Celestron C5, which is probably the best "bang for the buck" telescope that you will find. The optics are great, and it works well as a telephoto lens as well (f/10, 1250mm). For $550, it's a steal.
Thankyou, Great site suggestion I guess why I always come here and ask some of my duh questions, is that I am still learning. There is to much on the market of brands with makes, models, kinds, lenses, filters, size, style, quality and yada yadda......I hope to be able to help someone else in the future with what I learn now cause "wheewww" I dont know how others choose the right camera and such.
I agree with the Scopetronix recommendation. As for cameras- go with the Canon Powershot S1 IS. It has a fast, image-stabilized lens with MUCH more zoom than the others, so you might not need a telescope to capture the moon.
I agree with the Scopetronix recommendation. As for cameras- go with the Canon Powershot S1 IS. It has a fast, image-stabilized lens with MUCH more zoom than the others, so you might not need a telescope to capture the moon.
My telescope is a Celestron C5, which is probably the best "bang for the buck" telescope that you will find. The optics are great, and it works well as a telephoto lens as well (f/10, 1250mm). For $550, it's a steal.
Here is a picture I entered in "Parts" that I took with this combination.
Good luck!
I'm actually shopping for a new scope and I'd appreciate a pic of your C5 setup. I'm curious, do you use the c5 on a camera tripod or use an equatorial mount?
I have an 8" dob, but the thing almost never gets used, because it's way too big and heavy to get out for a casual viewing session. I never get a chance to get out to a really dark site where it would be at its best either, so most of my viewing gets done from my backyard. I also would like a scope that I can mount my cam on. I know you need a means to track for really long exposures, but do you need that for photos of the moon? the planets?
I have an 8" dob, but the thing almost never gets used, because it's way too big and heavy to get out for a casual viewing session. I never get a chance to get out to a really dark site where it would be at its best either, so most of my viewing gets done from my backyard. I also would like a scope that I can mount my cam on. I know you need a means to track for really long exposures, but do you need that for photos of the moon? the planets?
You don't need tracking for pics of the moon and planets, but it is nice since you don't have to constantly adjust the aim of the scope. A basic schmidt-cassegrain on an equatorial mount is ideal for photography. Most SCTs have screw holes for piggyback mounts. Even smaller SCTs like Meade's ETX series can accept ring brackets for piggyback. And they all have RA motors that will do the tracking for you.
I'm actually shopping for a new scope and I'd appreciate a pic of your C5 setup. I'm curious, do you use the c5 on a camera tripod or use an equatorial mount?
I have an 8" dob, but the thing almost never gets used, because it's way too big and heavy to get out for a casual viewing session. I never get a chance to get out to a really dark site where it would be at its best either, so most of my viewing gets done from my backyard. I also would like a scope that I can mount my cam on. I know you need a means to track for really long exposures, but do you need that for photos of the moon? the planets?
Thanks
I just have my scope on an alt-az mount. It requires less set up time that way. It is really a nice tripod with very little vibration/movement. You can see a picture of it here:
The C5 is super light and compact. I can take it anywhere. I think it would be the perfect solution for you. Plus you really can't beat the optics unless you go really high end.
No, you don't need to track for planets/moons, since my exposure times are around 1/60 second. But with high mags, the moon moves across the field of view very quickly, so tracking would be nice in those cases. But it is not a requirement.
