Astrophotography help??

ayjay80

ayjay80

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Name
Ashley
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Hi,

I've dug out an old telescope that I had about 10 years ago....

I believe its a reflecting telescope with a sticker displaying the following d=150mm f=1000m

Heres a photo of it https://www.dropbox.com/s/l25g70wr2k0fb3t/DSC_3754.JPG?m

My question is, can I use this type of telescope with my D90? I'm aware that i'd need an equatorial mount for long exposures but all that I want to try and do is photograph say the Moon or try and get an okish image of something like Jupiter.

If someone could give me some helpful advice, that'd be great and also explain how i'd attach my camera to it.

I'm aware of t-rings and t-adaptors but an "idiots how to guide" would suffice.
 
You'll probably be OK with the moon. Most other things you're going to have too short a focal length (you need big numbers for planets) or not fast enough optics (that's an f6.6 "lens" you have there).

Astrophotography is ALL about the mount. Good ones cost more than a decent lens (think approaching £1000 and that's just the entry level decent). Depending on your attitude to things, you'll either tear your hair out/spend lots of money very quickly/forget it (my attitude when I tried it - I went through all 3 stages ;)) or spend ages crafting things to get incremental improvements in your photos as you learn.

Be warned, decent astrophotography makes land based photography expenditure look like loose change you found down the back of the sofa.

If you do try that 'scope, you may find you need to move the mirror up the tube - reflectors have an awful habit of not being built to focus on sensors (eyes/eyepieces yes, sensors no).

A good forum for LOADS of hints/encouragement/info is http://www.stargazerslounge.com
 
Yes, i have a manual equatorial mount for it....

Serious astrophotography isnt something that I plan on taking up nor is something that swmbo would be prepared to finance lol

All that I really wanted to know was what the capabilities of what I have already are?

Is an f6.6 telescope lens good/bad/mediocre? Realistically will I get to take anything remotely decent providing that it will focus on my D90 sensor?
 
ayjay80 said:
Is an f6.6 telescope lens good/bad/mediocre? Realistically will I get to take anything remotely decent providing that it will focus on my D90 sensor?
Click to expand...
Planets: you need magnification. Deep space: you need a great mount and a fast scope. The moon will be OK....

Post what you get :)
 
Thanks for the info Andy...

How exactly do I mount my camera?

I know I require a T ring & T adaptor but not sure whether they have to be attached to the barlow lens that i've got or are they attached directly to the telescope?
 
They go where the eyepiece goes. As I said above, you may need to raise the mirror in the tube to gain focus...
 
The barlow lens that I have also says that its also a camera adaptor. Therefore, I believe that I only need to get hold of a t adaptor???
 
Last edited:
If it has a T-mount ring - yes.
 
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