Astrophotography How to & Guide
Virtually all of our customers ask about taking images through their telescope, this section deals with the basics of what is probably the most technical aspect of amateur astronomy.
Most telescopes can be used for imaging with simple point and shoot cameras, Digital SLR cameras and dedicated CCD cameras, for anything more than snapshots of the Moon and Planets a driven or goto telescope is required to prevent the image trailing as the object moves across the sky due to the Earth's rotation.
Most telescopes can be used for imaging with simple point and shoot cameras, Digital SLR cameras and dedicated CCD cameras, for anything more than snapshots of the Moon and Planets a driven or goto telescope is required to prevent the image trailing as the object moves across the sky due to the Earth's rotation.
Connecting a Camera to a telescope
Connecting a Camera to a telescope
Smartphones with cameras can be used for basic imaging with any telescope, our Smartphone Adapter can hold the phone camera over the telescope eyepiece to record what is visible, simple and can give great Lunar images.
Point and shoot cameras can be connected to your telescope eyepiece with a Universal Digiscoping Adapter which holds the camera securely in place to record the view, again simple and very effective.
Digital SLR cameras are the next step in capability, by removing the lens and using a T Ring & T Adapter your telescope becomes the camera's lens. This method requires a telescope with a motor drive to track but results are far superior especially for faint or deep sky objects as the camera chip is exposed to the incoming light for a longer duration.
CCD cameras use a PC or laptop to control them and usually connect with a simple 1.25" nosepiece supplied with it - just like using an eyepiece. A telescope with drive motors is required, there are dedicated planetary or deep sky models available, planetary versions use hundreds of stacked frames, deep sky ones use longer exposures. You can see our full range of dedicated CCD cameras some of which are WiFi controlled others use a simple USB connection by clicking here.
Piggybacking a camera on your telescope is a great way to get wide angle shots of constellations and the milky way, a driven telescope is essential. A simple piggyback bracket will connect to the tripod thread of most cameras. Most telescopes with tube rings have a piggyback thread on one of the rings at the top.
No Telescope required
We also stock DSLR tracking mounts dedicated for astrophotography with a camera and lens for wide field images, the Star Adventurer range from SkyWatcher include a WiFi mount you control from your phone that mounts to any photo tripod.
Due to the huge variety of telescopes and cameras on the market selecting the correct adapter can be confusing, do not hesitate to call us on 01322 403407 or Email for expert friendly advice.
Point and shoot cameras can be connected to your telescope eyepiece with a Universal Digiscoping Adapter which holds the camera securely in place to record the view, again simple and very effective.
Digital SLR cameras are the next step in capability, by removing the lens and using a T Ring & T Adapter your telescope becomes the camera's lens. This method requires a telescope with a motor drive to track but results are far superior especially for faint or deep sky objects as the camera chip is exposed to the incoming light for a longer duration.
CCD cameras use a PC or laptop to control them and usually connect with a simple 1.25" nosepiece supplied with it - just like using an eyepiece. A telescope with drive motors is required, there are dedicated planetary or deep sky models available, planetary versions use hundreds of stacked frames, deep sky ones use longer exposures. You can see our full range of dedicated CCD cameras some of which are WiFi controlled others use a simple USB connection by clicking here.
Piggybacking a camera on your telescope is a great way to get wide angle shots of constellations and the milky way, a driven telescope is essential. A simple piggyback bracket will connect to the tripod thread of most cameras. Most telescopes with tube rings have a piggyback thread on one of the rings at the top.
No Telescope required
We also stock DSLR tracking mounts dedicated for astrophotography with a camera and lens for wide field images, the Star Adventurer range from SkyWatcher include a WiFi mount you control from your phone that mounts to any photo tripod.
Due to the huge variety of telescopes and cameras on the market selecting the correct adapter can be confusing, do not hesitate to call us on 01322 403407 or Email for expert friendly advice.
Smartphones with cameras can be used for basic imaging with any telescope, our Smartphone Adapter can hold the phone camera over the telescope eyepiece to record what is visible, simple and can give great Lunar images.
Point and shoot cameras can be connected to your telescope eyepiece with a Universal Digiscoping Adapter which holds the camera securely in place to record the view, again simple and very effective.
Digital SLR cameras are the next step in capability, by removing the lens and using a T Ring & T Adapter your telescope becomes the camera's lens. This method requires a telescope with a motor drive to track but results are far superior especially for faint or deep sky objects as the camera chip is exposed to the incoming light for a longer duration.
CCD cameras use a PC or laptop to control them and usually connect with a simple 1.25" nosepiece supplied with it - just like using an eyepiece. A telescope with drive motors is required, there are dedicated planetary or deep sky models available, planetary versions use hundreds of stacked frames, deep sky ones use longer exposures. You can see our full range of dedicated CCD cameras some of which are WiFi controlled others use a simple USB connection by clicking here.
Piggybacking a camera on your telescope is a great way to get wide angle shots of constellations and the milky way, a driven telescope is essential. A simple piggyback bracket will connect to the tripod thread of most cameras. Most telescopes with tube rings have a piggyback thread on one of the rings at the top.
No Telescope required
We also stock DSLR tracking mounts dedicated for astrophotography with a camera and lens for wide field images, the Star Adventurer range from SkyWatcher include a WiFi mount you control from your phone that mounts to any photo tripod.
Due to the huge variety of telescopes and cameras on the market selecting the correct adapter can be confusing, do not hesitate to call us on 01322 403407 or Email for expert friendly advice.
Point and shoot cameras can be connected to your telescope eyepiece with a Universal Digiscoping Adapter which holds the camera securely in place to record the view, again simple and very effective.
Digital SLR cameras are the next step in capability, by removing the lens and using a T Ring & T Adapter your telescope becomes the camera's lens. This method requires a telescope with a motor drive to track but results are far superior especially for faint or deep sky objects as the camera chip is exposed to the incoming light for a longer duration.
CCD cameras use a PC or laptop to control them and usually connect with a simple 1.25" nosepiece supplied with it - just like using an eyepiece. A telescope with drive motors is required, there are dedicated planetary or deep sky models available, planetary versions use hundreds of stacked frames, deep sky ones use longer exposures. You can see our full range of dedicated CCD cameras some of which are WiFi controlled others use a simple USB connection by clicking here.
Piggybacking a camera on your telescope is a great way to get wide angle shots of constellations and the milky way, a driven telescope is essential. A simple piggyback bracket will connect to the tripod thread of most cameras. Most telescopes with tube rings have a piggyback thread on one of the rings at the top.
No Telescope required
We also stock DSLR tracking mounts dedicated for astrophotography with a camera and lens for wide field images, the Star Adventurer range from SkyWatcher include a WiFi mount you control from your phone that mounts to any photo tripod.
Due to the huge variety of telescopes and cameras on the market selecting the correct adapter can be confusing, do not hesitate to call us on 01322 403407 or Email for expert friendly advice.
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