4 replies to this topic

[wavefront]

I'd like to try and get hold of a used camera with which I could do lunar and planetary and maybe some deep sky. I'm thinking megapixels may not have to be astronomical (sorry about that). Maybe 12 or 14 ?

What do you folks think ? 

[Tulloch]

A used Canon DSLR would be a good start, can be used for both and you could pick one up cheaply on the used market/pawn shops etc.

 

Andrew

[scadvice]

I bought one here a Canon T3i for under 200 bucks worked great. Used it with BackyardESO.

 

https://www.keh.com/...ody-18-m-p.html

 

Backyardeos

 

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=z3gkw8bx7Aw

 

Long video but worth watching if you get a DSLR.

Edited by scadvice, 24 March 2023 - 11:51 AM.

[Tulloch]

As a followup, I used BackyardEOS with my Canon 700D on:

 - the planets: https://www.cloudyni...-sct-test-four/

 - the moon: https://www.cloudyni...r-and-c925-sct/

 - some DSO's: https://www.cloudyni...1-and-ngc-5247/

                       https://www.cloudyni...age/?p=11640445

 

Certainly not the best images out there, but the DSLR was enough to get me started...

 

Andrew

Edited by Tulloch, 23 March 2023 - 11:27 PM.

[james7ca]

I assume that the OP has a telescope otherwise it's going to be a bit hard to do planetary imaging with a camera lens.

 

So, if the OP has a telescope and they want to do lunar and planetary with an occasional DSO then I'd suggest that they look at getting a dedicated astro camera like the ZWO ASI678MC or QHY5III678C. Both are one-shot-color cameras and they produce high resolution 8.4 megapixel images (3856*2180 pixels). These cameras have no amp glow and have very small 2um pixels so they produce a nice image scale (think magnification) on small or moderate sized telescopes. Either can be purchased new for about $300 (U.S.).

 

Of course, you'll need some kind of PC to control these cameras and that probably means a laptop computer running MS Windows. But, the software you'd need is available for free (either SharpCap or Firecapture or DeepSkyStacker).

 

You can find images taken with the ASI678MC here on CN, just search for ASI678. Below are a few of mine.

 

  https://www.cloudyni...post&p=12354336

 

  https://www.cloudyni...post&p=12097835

 

  https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12275702

 

  https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12330195

 

  https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12419189

 

  https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12250168

 

  https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12203428

 

Most would consider that I am an advanced imager, so don't expect results like the above without some practice in astro imaging.

 

All that said, there is nothing wrong with starting with a used DSLR, particularly if you have a tracking mount and some decent camera lenses that can be used to capture DSOs.