My CHEAP Astrophotography Kit for DEEP SPACE!

Astrophotography on a Budget!
In this video, I break down each piece of my new budget-friendly astrophotography kit that totals about $1,200. It includes a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera, a Canon EF 75-300mm lens, and a portable star tracker (Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer).
Follow Nico Carver on KZbin: ‪@NebulaPhotos‬
Full Setup Details:
Camera Kit (with Lenses): amzn.to/3tuOkIy
Star Tracker: bit.ly/3OUOy8U
Ball Head: amzn.to/36Mv1Rc
Decent Tripod: amzn.to/3jnwL8w
I have already collected over 3 hours of data using this system under a clear sky, and I am amazed with the results. The Canon EF 75-300mm is better than I remembered! Or maybe I have gotten better :D Stay tuned for the collab video with Nico Carver!
I was not sponsored to make this video, nor do any of these companies (ever) have any idea I am making these videos - or what I say. I purchased the camera, lenses, ball-head, and shutter release from B & H photo and Amazon - but the star tracker and tripod were sent as demos (on loan) when they came out.
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.

[@nidhayprakashkar2867]

Trevor v/s Nico face-off announcement got me more excited than Godzilla v/s King kong!

[@theonlyitaliangirl]

😂😂😂

[@leonardoleite1085]

Hahaha

[@drrach1]

This should have more Luke’s

[@antraxarnau]

Epic hahahaha

[@chrisbrantley6120]

S

[@HelenasAstrophotography]

I can't wait for this!! The ultimate beginner setup and the ultimate collab team. Notifications are on :D

[@davecarllawrence]

I LOVE to see collabs within astrophotography. I'm not sure why really. Maybe it's something to do with astro being something we often do alone, maybe partly because photography can generally be a bit of an over-competitive hobby. So seeing a niche photographic community like ours collaborating, sharing experiences and ideas really resonates with me.

[@meghjoshi7031]

Same. I'd also love to see these collabs

[@TheSpacePlaceYT]

@@meghjoshi7031 I agree. I am also planning to be a future astronomer and astrophotographer. Was the M45 image taken by you? (Your profile picture.)

[@meghjoshi7031]

@@TheSpacePlaceYT yeah :) it's mine. Shot with iOptron Skyguider Pro

[@makrospex]

Pro Tip: Always change lenses with the body (camera axis) facing down. This way no dust/dirt can fall into the body. Also, when it's a bit windy, dust is more likely to get sucked out instead of pushed into the camera body, when the wind is blowing by the edges of the lens mount, faced down. I have minimal dust on my sensor(s) since i change my lenses this way.

[@Theforth09]

I'm so close to buying my first tracker can wait to watch this video for even more great info.

[@wdhale14094]

I am with you there. I want a tracker but wish I knew someone who had one so I can see how difficult it is before I buy

[@astrophotographysometimes2303]

@@wdhale14094 I have the same tracker he used in this video for about 6 months (I was COMPLETELY new to everything astrophotography related and had NO knowledge prior to getting this tracker) and its unbelievably simple to use. Polar aligning is simple all you have to do is set the clock in the clock in the pilar scope to 0, then you can find an app that tells you where to put Polaris in the scope. I suggest buying the base for the scope, because it's a little tricky to get it aligned without it, but it is possible. With the base once you enter your longitude and then point north Polaris will be in your FOV, and you can make fine adjustments with the knows on the base to get Polaris in the correct place. Once you get Polaris in the correct position around the clock in the scope, you can start shooting and the stars will be tracked. Its extremely simple. I had the same worries as you when I got it first lol. Its a lot easier than you think it is i promise, buy it and give it a go! I promise that tracker is worth every cent.

[@astrojourneyuk]

@@astrophotographysometimes2303 I’d agree with that comment. I got into Astro photography last year and started with this star tracking mount. It is great, really easy to use. I already had a lot of camera gear for landscape and sport photography that I just needed to buy the tracker. Do it you won’t regret it.

[@Dylans_astro]

Amazing Video Trevor! The quality of your videos keeps getting better and better!

[@msingh_7360]

Omg, cant wait, wanted this video for so long!! I have the exact same setup!!

[@Tim_the_Astronurd]

ball head on the dec bracket is not necessary and introduces another point for wobble/failure. also it brings the load farther from center which is much harder on the tracker. Personally, I find I can get excellent tracking with up to the Rokinon 135mm lens using the ballhead adapter plate in place of the bracket, but when using the william optics space cat or any heavier lens it goes directly to the dec bracket. You said "we are limited to the angle the tracker is at" which is not true at all. the tracker moves just like your EQ6-r pro and I have never seen you put a giant ballhead on top of it to frame up a target.

[@vk6xcj]

I sold my dobson telescope, OK to have at home, but even then it's a payne to cart around etc.... I took it away camping once... When I get into some spare money, I'm either going to buy the star tracker or a go to mount to put my cannon 70D with different lenses... I think the lighter and easier to cart around and set up is way better and will be used more... I think a go to mount would be better then atleast you can program a target in and then the mount will slew and stay on the target.... I guess that is a better way to go??

[@marlonmc8080]

So excited!! In the last 3 years, I bought parts of my equipment, and it's very similar to this. Skywatcher star adventurer ver1, canon eos T6, remote shutter cable, Rokinon 135mm (that I bought because of your videos), and a fiber carbon tripod (bought it last month). I can't go dark skies at this moment (anyone can't), but I'll try to do it from my city.

[@andreytyushin9920]

I can recommend Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6. Soooo good for astrophotography

[@roadsideastro5289]

100% agree! The 55-250 IS STM is a FAR superior lens for astrophotography and for daytime photography. I put side by side shots in a video on my channel.

[@spamcan9208]

Really? Interesting. I just borrowed my sister's Rebel T1i and it has that lens. It's old but it's free and you gotta start somewhere. Anyways, I always thought you wanted a "faster" (I think that's the term) focal length. Maybe it's a bit different than using a bespoke setup. Another channel has a RASA telescope that I think is around f3. It's also possible I'm getting things mixed up, there's a lot to keep track of lol.

[@GalaxyArtMedia]

Great setup Trevor! I liked the video! Looking forward to see the next one.

[@rydervanwyk]

This is exactly what I needed right now!!

[@tonydd1735]

Trevor you did not mention to buy extra batteries for the Canon rebel camera, nothing worse than battery drain flat while shooting multiple shots specially in winter.

[@paca_bill4863]

Either that, or if the camera model allows it, an external power supply. For my Nikon, I have two options - an add-on base which holds two batteries (looks like a motor drive unit for the old 35 mm cameras), or an adapter which takes place of the battery, and plugs in to external power (such as a power brick, if you have AC available).

[@tonydd1735]

@@paca_bill4863 Yes l have the same twin battery holder for my Nikon D610 and Nikon D5300

[@astrojourneyuk]

This star tracker was exactly what I used to get into this hobby last year. It’s a great intro to the hobby and given that Peter Zelinka has been using something similar for years is testament too for what great pieces of kit these trackers are. I’m really looking forward to the collaboration too!!!

[@fernandoapausa4931]

I’d recommend to use the ball head only if attaching it directly to the tracker axis. When using the the plate with counterweight bar I’d never use the ball head. You can reach any point in the sky with the tracker axis (RA) and the declination axis available at the end of the plate where you attach the camera, and more important, you avoid the additional flexure introduced by the ball head.

[@constellationshots3893]

when it comes to the 18-55mm, I use mine at 55mm because I'm not into landscape astrophotography, at 55mm I can perfectly fit Cassiopeia, Heart and Soul, Pleiades and California, Andromeda and Triangulum, Seagull and Thor's Helmet, Milkyway Core and my favorite, all of Cygnus. If I'm imaging orion I like going down to 35mm, you just have more room to have barnard's loop and maybe even the cone and rosette.

[@ianwatson8599]

Jeez Trevor, I’ve just spent most of my evening defending you and this video on one of the Astro Facebook pages just because some people that didn’t even watch this video, made some judgements toward you based on the thumbnail alone that I just couldn’t let slide. Another solid video in my opinion.

[@cjmenagh882]

Welcome back to star trackers. Nice for beginners to see how they are so useful as one learns the craft. A question I ask myself and now everyone, when we are out at night taking images alone and by ourselves and need to see something why do we use red light? We don’t need to preserve our night adaptation any more like when we visual astronomers or at a star party.

[@cosmoscarl4332]

For a little more, if the kit version is available, you could recommend the t7i version. That swiveling s reen comes in handy if beginning astrophotographers do not have a laptop. It would be essential for proper focus.

[@winman14may]

Can't wait for the follow up video! Epic! 💯

[@bozhidarmadzharov7066]

Now, for the ones outside North America, Canon Rebel T7 is known as Canon 2000D in the rest of the world. It is an entry level DSLR. Also for wide field i would suggest using fast prime lenses, like 22 f/2 ef-m, or 24 f/2.8 ef-s. If you do not have a startracker, you can still shoot longer exposures without a trail. Just divide 500 to the full frame equivalent of the focal length, and the result will give you the time in seconds. Example, let's say you have Rebel T7/2000d with 18-55 mm lens. As Canon aps-c crop factor is 1.6, you multiply the focal length by the crop factor. If you are shooting at 55 mm, that gives you 88 mm full frame equivalent. Then 500/88 = 5.6 seconds...make it five seconds to be on the safe side.

[@chrisoriordan6975]

Trevor, might be worth you mentioning a Red dot finder, inexpensive and invaluable for targeting and focussing - great video as always

[@w3tua]

Great video! Just a side note--the same cable used for your intervalometer can be used with the SA2i plugged into the SNAP port. You can then run the tracker in APP mode and control the exposure times and number of frames. It's one less thing to carry or set up in the dark.

[@banyantree8618]

I just received the 2i Pro kit and what no review has commented on is the quality and feel of the engineering that has gone into this product.

[@Mike-lh4wn]

Wish I saw something like this when I started. After spending thousands on the rabbit trail of scopes and mounts, I ended up coming back to one of these setups. Great for a quickie setup in the yard, or toss in the car for grab-n-go to remote sites. Only thing I would add is a reflex sight...really helps for finding targets. Here's my setup. Canon 60D Rokinon 135mm lens Ball head mount Reflex sight with camera hotshoe adapter SVbony guide scope and L-bracket Star Adventurer with tripod

[@markstpierre]

I came across the perfect case for Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer: the Nanuk 915. Just take the precut foam the star tracker came in the box, and drop it in the Nanuk case. It fits perfectly. (this is not sponsored. I just wanted to share with those looking for something better than the cardboard box)

[@astrostar_clearski7041]

This was a perfect Intro for my Night. Im going out, with my start tracker, Samyang 135mm, and a lot of warm Coffee. 90sec expo x 120 on the Andromeda. Im in Bortles 4-5, and shot always without filter. This night will be Great! Clear Ski! And Thank you Trevor for another great video!

[@Brandon_Watson]

I am already invested into photography so many of the items you listed I already have purchased. The idea that For $500 I can get started with Something more than just 15 second exposures of the milky way or moon is amazing, but I have noticed a trend in the astrophotography KZbin space that Budget or Beginner translates to 1-2 thousand dollars. Do you have suggestions for a first telescope to add to the kit in this video?

[@MaxRockatansky]

Perfect timing! With the recent purchase of a star tracker, I now have this exact setup. Looking forward to following along with my modest rig!

[@astroplanet3521]

Cannot wait for the show off so good

[@myidahohomestead.7123]

You have the start tracker pro kit. It comes with the ball head and lets you control the camera with your phone so you don't need the remote shutter.

[@Nighthawk-lr9km]

I've been looking into what I'd need to dive into astrophotography and have been overwhelmed with thinking I needed dedicated astro cameras, guidescopes/cameras, and so on. This video was a great and well-needed reminder that I don't need all that right out of the gate. Getting a setup like this would probably be much more beneficial to learn some basics before diving farther in.

[@FrankCrispo]

Thanks, Trevor. This is exactly what I've been waiting for from you. A video that appeals to the more thrifty crowd. I look forward to more of these and the upcoming series.

[@marcvwest]

Trevor great to see you giving the Sky Watcher Star Adventure air time. As someone who had been on the fence for a ultra light mount setup between Sky watcher and Ioptron I ended up decided on going Sky watcher, especially as my CGEM35 and HEQ5 although heavy to throw in the car have served me well. MY ultra light setup heavily influenced by yoru videos over the year is WO Z61IIGT ($425 HPS), WO FLAT61R ($225 OPT) Canon T4I ($200 EBAY A++++ mint condition), QHY Miniguide ($125 OPT ), ZWO Mini ($149 OPT) and ZWO ASIAIR Pro ($279 HPS), Optolong Enhanced ($149 AE), AS80C Carbon Fiber Bowl Tripod ($150 Amazon) (Total $1600) Really looking forward to seeing what you do with the T7 and setup!

[@anthonywarwick6090]

Thank you this was informative and helpful.

[@deansongberg6891]

I have just finished building that exact setup minus the telephoto lens, just waiting for clear skies now. Exited to see what you do with it.

[@otohikoamv]

Not far off at all from where I started - my current setup is the same Star Adventurer, with a William Optics Z61 and an auto-guider for good measure, though lately I've been using my Samyang 135mm f/2 lens a bit more. A little easier when it's so cold outside and I just can't set up that auto-guide properly for the somewhat larger 360mm scope and get those longer exposures.

[@goonerwin1]

my two favourite astrophotographers.....looking forward to it :)

[@JimMarkgraf]

Trevor, after watching several of your videos (okay, maybe all of them!) and reading a good number of your posts, I built almost this same rig for myself over the summer. I've been playing around with it as much as I can in the light polluted (Bortle class 4) skies of southern New Jersey. My most recent success was capturing the Orion Nebula. I still need to work on my post-processing skills but I'm getting there! Thank you for sharing so much wonderful information!

[@cult4037]

This was the perfect video I needed to plan out my astrophotography journey. You have recreated my exact situation. I already have a camera with 2 lens and a tripod so now just need my star tracker. This video really helped me visualise what all I can do with a basix set up like this. Thanks youuuu Trevor!

[@mikedips]

This video gives me hope as I want to move on from taking photos of night skies with my smartphone (Google Pixel 6pro) to a DSLR. Very inspiring especially those on a tight budget.

[@KopLamp]

Normally I don't comment on unwatched video's, but I must add a comment immediately as I want to compliment you on not forgetting about the budget astro-photographers. When I started following you, you were using similar gear as I did then. You outran my growth in the hobby bigtime though ;-)

[@3DAstroTC]

Let us know about the focusing for this camera! I returned mine because even with the ISO maxed to 6400, I could only barely see the absolute brightest stars with live view. And that was with a Rokinon 135 at F2.

[@chrisoriordan6975]

It may be you were out of focus, if you not correctly focussed you will see nothing. Get a red dot finder so you know exactly where you are pointed and then focus, you will then get the live view image. As well as , 6400, set it to bulb.clear skies

[@boofyhalfpint8559]

You could also try a "Bahtinov mask" to get accurate focus.

[@meghjoshi7031]

@@chrisoriordan6975 in my Nikon DSLR there is option that the settings remain at any setting , the live view will always be at iso 25600 at night. so even at 1/4000 shutter speed , I can see the Orion Nebula (core) because live view is unaffected by settings like iso shutter speed.

[@chrisoriordan6975]

@@meghjoshi7031 thanks, that’s interesting , however with my Canon that’s not the case, the live view replicates iso and shutter settings and therefore I always go max at night for focussing

[@chrisoriordan6975]

It’s the exposure simulation setting

[@meghjoshi7031]

Woah excited for this I've got an iOptron Skyguider Pro and 300mm lens so quite similar I'm guessing

[@ZackWolfMusic]

For you to see the fake sh!t.

[@TechKidShazil]

nice maaan. hope you have some clear nights. are you planning on shooting orion?

[@aay_its_sage]

@@ZackWolfMusic ???

[@ringod123]

Have used the Star Adventurer with a Canon 700D unmodded, 72ED Pro, asiAir and autoguiding for over a year now, excellent deep sky setup and super portable. Able to take 4min+ exposures at 430mm, would highly recommend!

[@michaelryan2622]

I had to replace my skyguider Pro Mount with a Williams Optical Mount because it just would not hold my camera and lens. Now I setup my camera with the skyguider and Williams mount quickly and it does not slip with Sony a7riii and 70-200 f4 lens

[@ginomonaco70]

I have a Canon R5 with 70-200 2.8L Mark ii , 24-70 2.8L and a 300mm 2.8L Mark ii. Would this star tracker handle the weight of the the heavier lenses? Also out of the 3 lenses, which would you gravitate to? Thanks for the great video and looking forward the the next one!

[@Astro_Aladfar]

Would you do a comparison review what tripod would you need for a star tracker? In the video where you compared iOptron skytracker Pro, Skyguider Pro and Fornax mounts Lightrack II, you said that for the Fornax you need a telescope mount and a car starter power bank. I have used Lightrack II powered by a 100 wh power bank with a 12 v to usb-a adapter cable. My tripod, the Benro A2980T has worked more or less fine at 200-300mm shooting 120s exposures. With that tripot I have gotten great exposures of the double cluster, M57, M13, M45, M101 and the Leo Triplet. However, I upgraded the tripod to a carbon fiber Benro TMA38CL Mach 3, which has a load of 35.27 lb yet it's lighter at 4.52 lb. As far as I'm concerned, you neither necessarily need a 12 lb telescope mount nor an 8 lb battery for the Fornax to be useful. The only thing you would need is a good flight case like my Pelican 1485 to carry and protect the mount and accessories.

[@rev_dude]

At this budget I would much rather go used. Used star adventurer ~$300 and used camera ~$300 leaves you with a much larger budget for the lens. Rather than the kit lenses that you'll quickly outgrow you can get something like the ef 400 f5.6 and/or one of the samyang wide primes.

[@ianbroadbent3478]

Great video, looking forward to the face off video. cant wait to see the results from the stock lenses.

[@janebattle3667]

I have a similar set up and love it! It’s great for travel. I live in a light polluted at area so needed a setup I could easily take to darker areas. Not a lot of information out there on it, but. Peter Zelinka also has a lot of classes on it if you want each step broken out. Not all are free, but worth every penny. Trevor thank you for posting this!

[@edwinsanchez1167]

Hi Trevor, you are in for a thought challenge with Nico! Can’t wait for video my 2 favorite astrophotographers😍

[@maggiethrash]

Getting my popcorn for the Trevor vs. Nico kit lens showdown omg

[@AstroEscape]

Very nice with the collab! I thought the same thing about missing the flip out screen, it's SUPER helpful to have one.

[@jjmcwill1881]

Just bought a used Bushnell bushnell 78-9669 FOR $30. Really good view of moon and checked out a couple stars. Was looking into the photography and no matter what you are looking at at least 1.000 to get started. Why cant I slap a $50 camera lens on my $30 dollar telescope? Is the tracking absolutely necessary? I

[@T.K.9]

I started from buying a 102mm refractor to observe (Jupiter, Moon, Saturn, 7 sisters, double double, etc. )to thinking of making this exact kit to take photos. Thanks for the info an explanation! Something is just so mesmerizing seeing the galaxies as they are with all the gases etc.

[@marktuyet]

Can't wait . Please show how you find and focus objects on the screen . Thank you

[@tedmouser6880]

What do you think of using a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens? I tried my setup for the very first time last evening, and didn't seem very thrilled with the lens. I'm an extreme newbie to astrophotography and photography in general. I could really use some guidance. I live in Roseburg, located in southwest Oregon.

[@Wow_wow_woww]

Yes!!! Can’t wait for this series. I am a beginner and have this camera. I was told I couldn’t get good shots with this camera. So I am looking forward to see what this camera can actually do!

[@ericmcintyre5498]

Just got my Sky Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Thursday from Ontario Telescope to use with my Olympus EM1 MKii with the 40-150 F2.8 PRO. Now i just need clear skies.

[@JungleEddie]

Mine is due Wednesday and it will be paired with a Fuji X-T2 with Pentax SMC 300mm f4 and SMC 150mm f3.5

[@theheavensdeclareastro]

Love this idea! I shoot with a stock t7i so I'm all about DSLR astro!

[@orionm4268]

Most lenses dont have locking focus unless set to auto. Though targets may seem sharp, stars might appear a bit bloated because the lens goes out of focus. Re-focusing is a constant with lenses.

[@TheAstroGuy_m42]

A electrical tape can help

[@orionm4268]

@@TheAstroGuy_m42 true

[@Mandragara]

Trevor what do you think of budget astrophotography with vintage camera lenses? Like the PENTAX SMC Takumar 6x7 200mm f/4? It feels weird buying a new lens with autofocus etc when those features have no use for astrophotography.

[@humwhatever185]

Great tip for beginners : you can find astro modified dslrs for $100 used on second hand astro sites. That gives you modification and dslr for real cheap, and they're not that rare. Same goes for tracker, I'm pretty sure you can get some for $200, and a nifty fifty will give you a long term, fast and affordable lens, for say $150.

[@astro_hunter1823]

Can't wait to watch this 😁

[@its22dm1]

I have a Canon 5d mk3 and 100-400 L lens , would this be too heavy for this star tracker?

[@joeluise]

Thank you for this video it has helped me greatly in deciding how to get into astrophotography, I will hopefully start building my kit soon.

[@constomy]

This is exactly my setup but with a T7i..... Just got it and excited to see what it's capable of....

[@horse._]

$1200 being cheap hurts

[@RobotKingz]

Sane lol😂

[@AmateurPhotographer12]

@@RobotKingzget a Nikon d5200 2nd hand haha for 200 bucks with 18-70mm 100 bucks

[@RobotKingz]

@@AmateurPhotographer12 i have a nikon d5300 alright, also have a Sigma lens 16-76mm

[@AmateurPhotographer12]

@@RobotKingz Ok nice, I mostly use my Nikon d5200 in Astro and almost same lens as you, I use 18-50mm sigma 2.8

[@RobotKingz]

@@AmateurPhotographer12 awesome

[@angelsalas7884]

Awesome! I Just completed that rig with a sigma 75-300 mm. I bought piece by piece over a year as they were available on Amazon. Can't wait to see your collab and get ideas for my photos.

[@AstroMountainGuy]

Let's see what great two astrophotographers, Nico sir, and Trevor sir do with collaboration, I think they will do who never tried yet!👍

[@adrianortiz3281]

This is something I, like everyone else, has been waiting for. The only problem for me is how the Remote Shutter Release gets setup for astrophotography on this camera. Looking at some videos now just to get an idea. So looking forward to 2 of my favorite astrophotographers.

[@chrisoriordan6975]

@Adrian Ortiz All the settings are on the control, set the start delay, exposure length, pause between frames then number of exposures, then just press start and make a cup of tea, it’s really easy and intuitive

[@Streaml1neJMoose]

Good timing. I've been looking for this kind of setup to get back into the hobby.

[@anthonywarwick6090]

You need to get sponsored for Stormy Kromer Mackinaw Cap as it will keep you warm in winter and goes well with the whole lumber Jack shirt. I’m Australian living in Tassie and I swear by these US made caps.

[@Mosin54r]

I have a question if you can answer : I bought a Benro Tripster Travel Tripod (0 Series, Black, Aluminum) , it supports 13 lbs as per specs. It has a ball mount. I am going to put the Star adventurer on it. I am now having thoughts on my tripod choice. Do you have any recommendations on this ? Thank you

[@rostwor]

@AstroBackyard thanks for great advice! I'm still thinking to start my journey with star photography. I already did some with my wide angle lens and wanted to try with something longer. I only have Tamron 70-180 2.8 but I was thinking to get for my Sony A7III old, soviet mirror lens 500 6.5. Is it worth it to try? I know it is dark, but it is small, compare to telescope, light, so star adventure can be used. And it is very cheap, so I don't need to invest much at the beginning to check if I like it or not. I will be grateful for your opinion.

[@AL-zp9hr]

I have a Canon 450D with a Canon EF 200mm max zoom and F4.5 at lower end zoom. Before I buy an astro tracker, do you think this camera setup will work?

[@davidjames4915]

It's possible to cut costs a bit more by purchasing an older/used camera and lenses as well as a used tripod. That's not so easily done with the star trackers as they don't tend to come up for resale that often.

[@rafaelbarcelo3927]

Man, I m so excited about this videos. Its right my camera and lens setup. I still dont have a tracker, cause here in Brazil, it almost doesnt exist. But Im planning to import one of it. I cant wait for the results. Nico is amazing too.

[@ChrisWJames]

So awesome! My two favorite goto guys when I'm trying to figure out how to learn to shoot something at night and process it. I don't care who "wins" because I'm going to learn something and have fun.

[@Terrific10byTna]

Sweet!! Can not wait to see Trevor beat Nico!!! This is gonna be gooood!!!

[@OlliesSpace]

ha no way Nico's got this.

[@henksteenvis]

i'm HYPED, thanks for making this video Trevor!

[@lambeausouth1]

Glad to see this video! I was a bit discouraged seeing all the expensive rigs being used and all but giving up hope of ever doing astrophotography but the light is still shining. While even this is a bit expensive for me it's withing reach with some saving 🙂

[@quartzimaging]

Very informative, thank you! I am puzzled by use of the ball head in conjunction with a tracker. I would guess that the tracker needs to "know" which direction the lens is actually pointing in order to track properly. E.g., a camera pointing north would require different racking than a camera pointing south, right? But your comments here suggest you can use the ball head to point the camera in any direction. What am I missing?

[@geotechlb]

The tracker isn't goto so the ballhead is easier way to point and move the camera to an object as long as the tracker is polar aligned with the polarscope it will track the rotation of the earth it won't matter were the camera and ballhead is pointed it will track in RA

[@LaibaStarXX]

Thanks for this it’s really helpful. At first I was very stressed on how I could do astrophotography but now I’m great ❤️💙

[@TheSpacePlaceYT]

It's been a long time since I watched this channel, and I cant wait to get back to astrophotography.

[@RichieToaMills]

Brilliant video Trevor, I will definitely be forwarding this to everyone who's been asking me how to get started!!

[@robgerety]

Total newbie to astro. But, not new to general photography. I have a Canon R5 and host of RF lenses including the RF 2.8 trinity and RF 1.2 50mm and 85mm lenses. I also have a good heavy photography tripod, and fluid head. I also have a good quality spare ball head. Will this all work to start if I add in a star tracker?

[@girijaa1]

Hey Trevor. Finally have a clear night tonight after weeks of rain here in Olympia WA. Bortle Class 4. Yeah, its pretty dark outside and I can see a lot of stars. I am thinking of using my Canon EOS 90D, APS-C with a vintage Asahi Pentax SMC Takumar 200mm F4 lens. Its super sharp. I want to take images of the Orion Nebula below the Orion belt stars. Where I am at, I can not see Polaris, although I have a star tracker (Skywatcher Star Adventurer). I am in my back yard with 150ft trees all around me to the north, but at 8:00pm PST tonight, the Orion Constellation was beautiful and bright in the southern sky (gap in the trees to the south) and I can easily find the Orion Nebula through the lens. I taped the lens at infinity, because the stars are pin sharp at infinity. What would you recommend for ISO, aperture and exposure time if I am not going to use the tracker. I want to stack a bunch of images for a combined total exposure time. I am at 47°N lat, 123°West. How many shots, how long each shot. Just asking for advice. Thanks, love your channel.

[@mikebeswick3420]

Hi,,,,im thinking as a first telescope....the skywatcher startravel 150mm F5...logic is that i can use it for moon and deepspace...wonmt be the best quality but a good start...i will use wity mmy dslr nikon d5200.....what do you think>??

[@stinkyfungus]

If you have a goto astronomical eq telescope mount, do you NEED a ball head to mount your DSLR to it? Or can you just get a dovetail plate, screw your camera to it and mount that to the goto EQ? I have a Cannon 80D with a bunch of kit lenses, (same ones the rebels come with, I think... just the 80D was a slightly higher end body (more settings etc) than the Rebel T series of the same era... right? And I should be taking delivery of a small 80mm x 640 doublet in f8 - and a light weight goto eq mount to go with it. (Mainly for getting into visual astromical observation... see if I enjoy it before getting into a bigger apature rig. Is there any reason I should not also get a Tring Adaptor and try the 80D through the scope sometime?

[@jensman0185]

I’ve been watching your videos and am just getting into astrophotography. I got the sky-watcher az-gte with the startravel 102 and using a canon t7i for my first setup. Now if only the weather would cooperate so I can get into some imaging lol. Clear skies

[@EdwardRLyons]

Excellent video, and looking forward to the face-off! This very much follows my own philosophy - get the most out of limited equipment. I have a Canon 600D with exactly the same kit lenses, plus the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Mini with an Andoer pan/tilt head as a polar wedge, generic ball mount, and Neewer intervalometer. It doesn't produce award winning images, but they're good enough for the purposes I set out with, including showing members of my local astronomy club that they don't need to spend many thousands just to get started in astrophotography. Some of the images of the Moon I took at 300mm, processed entirely using freeware, also prompted other members who had never photographed the Moon to begin to do so. One member is now imaging the lunar surface at sub-1 km resolution with his 20cm Newtonian. So it's not only great to see what a simple setup like this can achieve, but what it can encourage others to do!

[@NJM1948]

Great vid for getting started in astro photography....a couple of "newbie" questions if I may. I shoot with Fuji mirrorless APS-C cameras so will the X-T3 be able to capture good astro shots? (I have a range of lenses from wide...10mm - 15mm FF equivalent....up to 400mm....600mm FF equivalent.....and secondly, I get the idea of the tracking but how do you know where to point the camera to take and track the shots? Is there anything built in to help you with how to find your astro subject?

[@lmao9222]

How’s this set up for planetary imaging?

[@AstroDenny]

What target are you picking? I would get to a darksite and shoot Markarian's chain. You will get a lovely field of view, loaded with galaxies with that rig at 300mm.

[@peterbriggs3408]

Exactly my rig apart from the fact that we call it an EOS 2000D for some reason. Oh yeah, an I have a somewhat better Tamron 70-300mm. Watching with keen interest.

[@theonlyitaliangirl]

Can't wait to see your reveal video between you and Nico! I bet both of your images are going to be phenomenal. I just bought a MSM to track the stars (still learning. how to set it up! 😩- the instructions are not the easiest to follow) , but I want to be able to use a zoom lens - so now I'm looking at the Sky-Watcher Adventurer you recommended! I can't wait to get out there and create some amazing photos.

[@takeahikespike2141]

Excellent video, I just ordered the star tracker with tripod, remote with ball head. Just would like to ask which camera kit to go if you would want to beef up the kit? Thanks!