How To Photograph the Orion Nebula (DSLR + LENS)

How I Took a Picture of the Orion Nebula!
Camera (STOCK): amzn.to/3tzkV4I
Camera Lens: amzn.to/3RxrdKo
Light Pollution Filter: bit.ly/47c6nFW
Portable Star Tracker: bit.ly/3XF6wig
With only a few hours of clear sky time, I set up my camera and star tracker to photograph the Orion Nebula under a first quarter moon.
The final image includes 90 x 60 seconds (1 hour, 30 minutes) of total exposure time from my Bortle 6 backyard!
I hope this video inspires you to get started in astrophotography and explore the wonders of the night sky with me!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

[@skenderovicbusantelivia5282]

If you have the time and patience, I would love to see you do a livestream from start to finish, preparing, setting up, capturing *insert any “easy” target here* and also editing it right after… I imagine it would last about 8-10 hours but it might give us some really-really great insight into your process of focusing/re-adjusting/capturing and getting the results you want. ❤ Keep up, you are doing absolutely amazing, and we all love what you do! 😊

[@dostacos1]

Would tune in!

[@Spamandrice]

I would be following along with my set up

[@marcericdavis]

Your "basics" videos are what got me started in astro. I have a Nikon 5600, Tamron 150-500 lens and the Star adventurer GTI. Lots of fun.

[@cjmenagh882]

Welcome back to the beginning. So many channels have moved on as their creators have gained experience and knowledge but that leaves a large gap for beginners. Thanks for inspiring a new group who are just starting out. You got me restarted all those years ago when you were just starting up and it was much appreciated.

[@vinceveltri7732]

Trevor, you managed to capture the Flame, Horsehead, Running Man and Orion in the same beautiful shot. Well done.

[@skinfology]

What an amazing explanation Trevor. Love your soothing voice man. As a guy who madly loves astronomy and especially astrophotography with no equipment to afford, I just appreciate people like yourself who make my experience so better with vids like these.

[@bojanmajic]

exactly what I was doing for my first (successfull) astro imaging session before the Christmas holidays... It's just that I got my refractor instead of a lens...what a journey it was from watching your first videos to to be able to stand personally next to your rig catching photons, childlike joy sums it up

[@Josh.Wilson]

Another stunning image! One of the things I wanted to recommend to people, is the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer tripod. That's what I use for my trackers. Relatively cheap ($130CAD). It is nice and sturdy, but most importantly has a platform that goes in the middle of the legs, so you can put your intervalometer on it, USB battery bank for dew heater power, ASIAIR, etc. BUT, the best tripod is the one you already have, and that's sturdy. So if you can't, or don't want to spend the money on a dedicated tripod for your tracker, use the one you have.

[@capturethephotons2078]

I am down at least a 5 year astrophotography rabbit hole, and it all started right here , with this channel, just like this. I now have hours and hours of these same targets, using just a camera/lenses and now a William optics GT81. As a matter of fact, I just bought an asi air plus which is still in the box!! It's good to see you teaching beginning astrophotographers one of the easiest and most rewarding DSOS in the Winter night sky during Nebula season. Clear skies. Happy Holidays.

[@ColeDedhand]

Thanks to you (and a few other AP channels) I jumped into AP recently. Last week was the first time I shot deep sky, and it was a double: M42 and M45. I used a D5300 (astro-modded) with a 180mm prime lens on an EQ6 mount. 150 30-second subs each. Stacked with DSS and processed with GIMP both images turned out better than I could have hoped for a first attempt. M42 really needs more focal length so I will use a 300mm prime next time I get a clear night.

[@mfghans]

Trevor, you got me into astrophotography and I cannot thank you enough for doing so!!! Thank you so much for your videos and your kindness!

[@cdz9400]

Thanks to you, since your last video doing this, I have finally done it myself, and I'm ready to learn more with this video

[@sheji100]

Stunning image Trevor. Loved it as usual.

[@damandeepsingh8857]

Absolutely stunning.

[@icyxxxxx]

Totally stunning

[@waynewheaton3210]

Thanks for the more "beginner" level video. Your videos and website are very well polished. It's content like this that has help KZbin change the learning curve on just about everything. I tired some astrophotography back in the 90s with a Pentax film camera and a 6" Criterion. I did get some good shots of the moon. It was hard because the lack of information. I'm getting back into the hobby and just picked up a Star Adventurer GTI.

[@rickwaldron3278]

Thank you! I always enjoy your work. I’m learning so very much from you. Merry Christmas 🎄 I also watched your live stream today. Merry Christmas & Clear Skies

[@Cmaxb9]

I very much appreciate your content, it’s high quality. The way you document your process and film it is so wonderful, thanks for the great stuff! 🤙🏼

[@krisdavies8548]

During most mornings on the way to work i always look at Orians belt next year ill get my star tracker and start photographing it. Its monsoon season here so i have to wait till may. Love your work. Thanks for showing us

[@astronomybob]

Awesome shot! Great video too! Merry Christmas Trevor and Ashley!

[@HalBorucu]

I’ve been following for a while (mainly from insta) and always wanted get properly into AP. I own a Canon 5D MkIV, RedCat 51, 70-200mm lens and on the day I receive my star adventurer GTi, you release this video. BY FAR the most helpful video I’ve come across, almost like it was perfectly curated for me! I can’t wait to see the results using your advice! Thanks for all the help, Trevor 👊🏼

[@Ericrbo]

Awesome! Very inspirational!

[@bbqguy777]

Simply love your work!

[@Zealor365]

A small square of Velcro on the back of the remote and the leg of the tripod is the trick which works for me.

[@oldgittarist]

Great video and result Trevor, I'm hoping to get another go at Orion this winter as well.

[@Loopy01]

This is exactly the type of content that initially got me to love your channel. Would love to see more of these "lesser-scripted" videos where you go through your sessions and talk about what and how you're going about setting up your shots - even if it's at advanced level.

[@rosaluks644]

This video is done so very nicely. Solid skills!

[@jasmijnariel]

The result is stunning! I really want to start doing this when my basic photography lessons are done. The universe is amazing! So is macro photography. So those 2 things have my interest.

[@DTOMSMISORANGE]

As someone who likes astronomy, I gotta say this photo is EPIC

[@GhostSenshi]

Thanks for another great upload

[@TamsonsAstrophotography]

These are always so very helpful

[@richardspence5316]

Fantastic Trevor. I have the SA GTI and I’ll certainly be looking to put it to use more often.

[@Eretaloma]

2 weeks ago I received my Star Adventurer 2i and I have been having a blast. My set up is a canon 4000d with the 75-300mm lens. The set up its self is quite budget but I have a lot of fun. Your videos are the reason why I started this hobby and so far it has been great. Some problems with the tracker have been resolved and I recently bought a dew heater... and of course when it arrived a storm came and now I can't use my setup... I guess that's how it goes when you're exited to use your new equipment 🤣🤣.

[@user-lt9py2pu6u]

I started my astro photography journey with a set up just like that and had hours of fun with it as well. You can easily upgrade it too, for example you can control it with an ASIAir Mini.

[@SaitoGray]

Canon 2000d, same lens with a 3D printed Star tracker, we're on the same boat, i really want good weather to take a picture of the nebula now... The big plus, is that i have Onstep, it's awesome to have go to. Next step is astroberry to have acces to plate solving.

[@davidletz9123]

Nice "back to basics" kind of video, appreciated!

[@wazigeralph]

Stunning shot.

[@aDizzeee]

finally a good and simple tutorial, nice!

[@fivevolcano483]

Watching this as i have my newly bought equipment next to me genuinely is so exciting

[@ClearSkies404]

awesome, very good work !!!

[@MrJomoboy]

Taking my GTi out tonight, first ever attempt at tracking AND Orion nebula. This was perfect timing. Thank you from Australia. No need to worry about frost here tonight, tis hot.

[@wooddogg8]

Beautiful image, Happy holidays!

[@Robert08010]

This is probably the brightest nebula making it an ideal first project.

[@gautroid]

Hey dude ! Firstly, sorry for my english, i’m French fan and i follow you since your debuts on YT. I appreciate your evolution and all things you are sharing, tips, experience,etc.. Last week, I finnaly bought my Star Adventurer GTI and an Askar 180 pro ! Your video spawn on a perfect timing for test my Canon RP modify on this set up. It’s time to transform the long hours of theory on KZbin, to PRACTICE (your ultimate advice : stop watching, go shooting 😉) Thanks a lot AstroBackyard !

[@MrMrduke1975]

It’s amazing how much this hobby brought me down the worm hole. $4,0000 later, and that’s probably on the budget side of astrophotography lol. Great video!

[@user-lt9py2pu6u]

Yeah, I've noticed lately this has become an expensive addiction too!!

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

Omg that’s fantastic matey✌️

[@lostinthewoodsproductions]

Excellent video! and amazing photo! I'm very interested in giving this sort of photography a try!

[@keithhanssen7413]

I waited several years to get a Star Adventurer and I’m so glad I finally did. Even sprung for a modified Canon R. Simple yet quite effective wide angle astro is very enjoyable, especially when it’s cold out.

[@AstroMaster26]

I absolutely love your videos. You have inspired me to start my own KZbin channel. I hope that one day I can become as great as you ❤❤

[@tintin69rr]

You make it look so easy awesome video

[@OurAwesomeUniverse]

Wow that final image blew me away!

[@billinglendaleca5093]

Thanks for the very timely video Trevor, I got my GTI last Monday.

[@gordonbrinkmann]

I have not so fast lenses and no star tracker at the moment but I'm looking forward to it. I already took some still crappy (but decent for my original expectations) pictures of Andromeda galaxy and Orion nebula as well. What amazes me in your final reveal of the finished image is that I got this optical illusion of a parallax effect (which of course is not possible here) when you move the image from the Horsehead nebula to the Orion nebula. 😊

[@mihaelholhos-vaida2589]

Looks like a whole different reality up there

[@ernestodiburero]

Great video. Tnx a lot

[@stuartbolden2142]

I liked this vid a lot more than some of the others , Trevor . The reason ? It’s a simple set up and one that nearly ALL can identify with . I totally understand when you showcase massive scopes and great mounts , but , showing more shall we say basic gear actually gives me more enthusiasm to get out there and do the same . ( the problem is Englands weather aaarrrrgh! ) Keep up the great work mate

[@billvinson7859]

The running man nebula looks great also. ❤

[@kevinooten4600]

I want a star tracker so bad. hopefully soon. Great video!

[@nareshkulthe9180]

Happy Christmas, Trevor

[@JauneMacReady]

Great one! ❤

[@Tp_astro]

Awesome video!! ❤ merry xmas

[@catholic3dod790]

Please don't write Xmas. Because either Protestantism, satanic cults, or atheists who hated the word of Christ. They deleted Christ and added x to mas. Merry Christmas.

[@astrocarone9671]

Awesome shot dude!

[@adrianortiz3281]

Hi Trevor. Thank you for the fantastic videos on a beautiful hobby. I was wondering, if possible, is there anyway that you can provide a video when doing these great "How TO's" on the setting up of the intervalometer. What were your settings? For example, what would be the best intervals that you found useful? Thanks for the entire great setups and "how to's". Just short of beautiful work.

[@rayphillips815]

I use the Ego lawn equipment eco system. With all the batteries, i bought the 400w inverter and use that for all power (tracker, ASIAIR, dew heater). Works great, and plenty of juice.

[@whiteskyphotographics3033]

Another fantastic video Trevor, I love my Canon Ra but here in Aberdeenshire, Scotland we have had a terrible Autumn/Winter so far for weather (almost 10x more rain than normal), got a recent Skywatcher 72ED APO to use with the good old trusty Skywatcher star adventurer and a Optolong L-Pro filter.......just waiting for those clear skies lol. Do you find that iso800 for the Canon Ra is the best for shooting deepsky? keep up the great work, regards Simon

[@Ben_Stewart]

My Nikon Z6ii Astro modified camera is just so good for this type of work.

[@darrenjones3908]

Another great video. So you have any videos about how to figure out the best exposure settings for DSOs?

[@SteveZodiac777]

Nice work! I was interested to see how far out your initial alignment was with the GTi mount. I often find that initial alignment is way, way off, despite setting the mount in the home position before attempting the alignment.

[@Schizoid137]

Cool photo.

[@briankotak403]

Wow! Love that wide field view! Nice image Trevor. How do you deal with frost on the telescope/lens and camera after an imaging session? Keep it all together, put the lens cap on and put the whole unit in a bag to warm up in the garage/house? I am always so leery about condensation! Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦

[@Samdas001]

Very helpful

[@gleadr6869]

Great Image! Would love that for a wallpaper.

[@Hayden-ns6ej]

Great video I’m getting a telescope for Christmas. I can’t wait.

[@M42-Orion-Nebula]

STOP TAKING PHOTOS OF ME WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!

[@chadcrotts870]

I was intrigued for a minute. Then realized that gear is way beyond my means. Cool video though and I’m glad I stumbled across it!

[@johnnybueti]

With the total eclipse coming up in a couple months, it would be amazing to watch a video on tips on how to capture it! Thanks!! Love from Toronto!❤

[@nicksavage4763]

Thank You 🪐

[@masonmcneil-jv9vy]

Hello there i am a 12 year old astrophotographer and I just want to say that you are really inspiration and have very good advice and amazing content Thank you so much

[@masonmcneil-jv9vy]

and if you can’t I understand

[@rschellie]

I really enjoy your channel and I am beginning my journey into astrophotography based at least partially on your videos I have watched. I am getting a Skytracker Adventure GTI and I already have a Nikon D850 with a variety of lenses (I am an amateur wildlife photographer). In this video you didn’t mention if you took dark frames and flat frames for this image? I plan to photograph the Orion Nebula as my very first target.

[@sampung3952]

Hi from Boston!

[@MyDoublebass]

Hi from Spain!!!

[@amacmedia3221]

That was a fantastic image and really inspiring tutorial. So after polar alignment, a ball head isn’t needed to locate Orion’s Belt overhead using the SW GTi? Also would you have a tutorial on how you processed this image. I only have a canon 6Da and was looking to upgrade, would the Canon RA be a better option than a R6 and have this modded?

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

From basic astro rigs to the biggest processing tip...I'm always impressed with how much you know. But how did you know Bob was my uncle. That's spooky.

[@patricialegault7410]

I love astrophotography and have been doing Milky Way for quite some time. I did Orion without a tracker, and now waiting on my first tracker! Yay! I recently heard of deepscape photography. Do you have any videos on that type?

[@JSchirmaierPhotography]

Another awesome video as always Trevor! Though I do have one thing I would like to comment on. That being, I feel like labeling the Star Adventurer GTI as a star tracker is a bit misleading, especially for people that are new to the hobby. The functionality of the GTI is much closer to that of an equatorial mount than a traditional star tracker. And Skywatcher would seem to agree seeing as they label it as an equatorial mount in their manual. I wanted to bring this up because I don't want beginners to get the wrong idea of what star trackers are capable of, and how basic their functionality really is. They might assume that all "star trackers" can do what is shown in the video, and then be dissapointed when they purchase something like the Star Adventurer 2i, only to find out it can basically do none of it. And with the 2i (and most other genuine star trackers) being at a much lower price point, I think something similar to this scenario is fairly likely. I hope this doesn't come across as nitpicky or semantics because I do genuinely think this clarification between the two is important, especially for people new to the hobby. I feel like we have a responsibility as communicators to make sure we put out the most accurate information as possible, since we were the same inexperienced and passionate begginers at some point, learning from youtube videos and blog posts. And the last thing I'd want is for someone's passion to be squandered after investing money in to the hobby, only to be frustrated, disappointed, and off-put by their underwhelming purchase. That ended up being a lot longer than I was expecting but oh well lol. All the best and happy holidays!

[@jimmirow]

That was very thoughtful. I'm very wordy with excitement,emotion,cause,etc. like you Lol.I can tell you unconditionally appreciate the passion of this artform and the people. I'm a newbie, loving comments the processing to final image and I may have spent what little money I have in the wrong place because I could have easily assumed something didn't do what I thought. Being informed is #1 and thank you for "being that guy" on informing or discerning the difference in equitorial/startraker

[@WakoJacKooo]

Keep up the good work trev. But please please please do a video using your best scope shooting a complete random spot of the sky . No objects . Just to see what you find JJ

[@geoffnash3098]

As always a great video. I just wish it would quit raining here in Columbus ohio. Merry Christmas to you and your wife.

[@kerroro2007]

Great photo! BTW, I don't see any guiding setup. Is guiding not needed for 200mm and wider lenses because it doesn't further improve the shots?

[@Katieyhughes]

Evening Ash & Trevor 🥰

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Very nice. My 130mm Newtonian reflector and ZWO asi294mc can't image that large an area.

[@hangerbird]

I put Velcro strip on the back of my intervalometer and on one of the tripod legs. That way I just attach the intervalometer onto the leg and I'm good.

[@bobbymckenzie3202]

I'm pretty sure I've commented something similar on a previous video but... I've watched your videos for years and you are the reason my bank account hates me today

[@rolandwynjones7310]

Another great video. Do you happen to know what the equivalent filter would be for a Canon EOS 80D (instead of the OPTOLONG L-Pro EOS-R Filter Deep Sky Photography and Wide-Field Filter for Canon EOS R/Ra RP R5 R6)? Thanks!

[@klausst.8510]

Great picture, I also will try M42 with my Samyang 135/2.0; may I ask you which ISO setting you used? I am also living in an bartle 5 area..

[@ballashoes]

Are you going to review the new WO Pliedes scopes?

[@rusticagenerica]

Did not get why you use the filter inside the camera. Great video !!

[@seank2793]

*I want to jump into night sky photography, where do I start and what gear do you recommend? Could you please make a video on this pleaseeeeeee btw where are you taking all these amazing pictures?*

[@based_seattle]

Great video, I'm inspired now. Just curious, what's the song at the end of the video?

[@citromaz]

Love your video's Trevor. I bought a EF 75-300mm f/4-5,6 III Zoom Lens for my unmodded camera. Do you think i can get the somewhat same results with that?

[@toygaryagci]

Hi Trevor... Can you comment on [long exposure-fewer light frames] vs [shorter exposure-more light frames]? do you see any advantage of one over the other?

[@edaviss._]

is there a specific dovetail you’d recommend? i also don’t have a collar for my camera lens so is that required or can the camera itself be mounted to the dovetail bar? if not do you as well know of any lens collars to mount everything to the dovetail?

[@f.bell.9761]

Thanks for all informations. Why not using Synscan intervallometer instead of hard one?

[@fromupthere.2209]

Polaris for the Northern hemisphere and Octans for the South for your polar alignment