Capture the Night Sky
Latest
Captures
NGC 6960, the Western Veil Nebula, a cloud of heated and ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus
Section of the Milky Way
Crescent Nebula - Light from the object took 5000 years to reach us on earth!
Clear resolution of the Moon
Telescopes!
We suggest a variety of telescopes that help beginners get started!
Other:
Telescopes
Telescopes are highly beneficial for astrophotography as they provide the ability to capture detailed images of distant celestial objects, like planets, nebulae, and galaxies, that are otherwise impossible to see with the naked eye or regular cameras.
Paired with a camera, a telescope acts as a powerful zoom lens, enhancing image clarity and brightness even in low-light conditions. Additionally, specialized mounts used with telescopes help track the movement of stars, ensuring long-exposure photos are sharp and free from blurring caused by Earth’s rotation.
Common techniques to produce the images taken above involve a series of images and exposure techniques.
Camera Specifics
For astrophotography, while smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras can be used, a DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended for better results. It’s essential to switch to manual mode for both exposure and focus, as the night sky’s darkness prevents accurate autofocus. Full-frame cameras perform best in low-light conditions due to their larger sensors, though crop-sensor cameras, like the Canon EOS R7, are also highly capable and more affordable. With advancements in technology, both full-frame and crop-sensor cameras are excellent choices for capturing the night sky.
Focal Length/Lens
For astrophotography, it’s best to use a “fast” lens with a wide aperture, like f/2.8 or lower, and a focal length between 12-35mm. These wide-angle lenses let you capture more of the sky and landscape in one shot, while the large aperture helps bring in more light for clearer photos. Prime lenses, with fixed focal lengths and even wider apertures like f/1.8, give sharper images but are pricier. An affordable starter option is the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, while high-end lenses like the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 are great for advanced users. If you’re just starting, you can use your camera’s kit lens by setting it to its widest aperture (around f/4).
There are lots of additional things you can buy to assist you in your astrophotography journey, but a tripod is probably the only real essential of getting going straight away. You won't be able to hold the camera still enough for the shutter speeds required to capture the darkness of the night, using one of the best tripods for night sky photos is a must. Look for options that have smooth tilting heads and lockable moving parts that are made out of good quality materials — you'll lessen the risk of camera shake by doing so.
Tripod (essential)
Once you've got a decent camera and a good lens you are happy with, we recommend purchasing a remote shutter. This is a button on a cable attached to the camera that enables you to trigger the shutter without being near the camera itself. This reduces shake by minimizing the risk of vibrations traveling through the camera when you press the button.
These are inexpensive, and there is no real guidance on the best ones to buy. Some of the cheaper cable release options work fine, although for a little more, you can purchase a wireless option that reduces the risk of interference and camera shake even further. Just plug it into the designated port in your camera and press the button on the release instead of the one on the camera.
It's worth mentioning that if you don't have a cable or wireless release, you can also use the camera's delay timer to set, for example, a ten-second gap between pressing the button and taking the picture.
Remote Shutter Release (recommended)
An intervalometer releases your shutter at regular predefined intervals to capture the night sky's 'movement' throughout the evening. Increasingly, many modern cameras have interval shooting built-in, so spend some time with your camera's manual to figure out how it works.
Intervalometer (optional)
