22 replies to this topic

[DeepSky Di]

This is a split out from a topic in the Beginners Forum (no astrophotography). There's also a DSLR/Mirrorless specific forum here: https://www.cloudyni...ra-dso-imaging/

 

If you want to start astrophotography and already have a DSLR or mirrorless camera then start with that, any lens that you have for it (ok, maybe not a fisheye :-) )and a tripod.

 

At this time of year we have the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades which are both naked eye visible and broadband targets suitable for unmodified DSLRs. 

 

Nebula Photos did a series on AP with no tracker or telescope - here's the one for the Orion Nebula - https://youtu.be/iuM...HRPZyJ9JFePyQEe

 

Have a general long term plan for the rig that you want to have in future - telescope, mount, astro camera etc. Work towards this one step at a time at whatever pace is suitable for you. Try to avoid temporary purchases that don't fit into the long term plan. However, some "beginner" equipment may be useful for travel or other photographic activities in future. 

 

A SkyWatcher Star Adventurer GTi has some advantages as a beginner mount - low cost, light and portable, capable of running from AA batteries and it has goto, which will really help maximize the time spent capturing data versus trying to find targets. Downsides - it's not a strain wave, needs to be balanced and has a relatively low payload limit.

 

Anyone else who started with a DSLR, feel free to add your thoughts.

 

[rj144]

I hate to be a contrarian and sound negative, but I used a DSLR and a zoom lens for a little over a year.  However, my pics improved by 100 when I went to an astrocam, telescope, and proper filter.  Although I do image from Bortle 8/9.

 

Yes, DSLRs are great to get your feet wet if you already own a DSLR, and I don't regret starting there.  What I do regret is waiting so long to get my current setup.  Ideally, for me at least, I should have spent a few months learning the ropes with a DSLR before moving on to an astrocam.  It was frustrating and the results were horrible...

Edited by rj144, 11 January 2025 - 03:50 PM.

[andysea]

I started with DSLR but I already had a telescope and equatorial mount. That being said I have done a lot of stacked Milky Way shots without tracking. You seem to be aware of the limitations that no tracking has. Since you already have the equipment, I don't see any downsides to tinkering with it.

 

I have never used the mount that you mentioned. A SWG mount would probably be a bit more future proof due to the higher payload, I own an AM5 that I use occasionally and it's very good.

 

Back when I started, we had to mod our DSLRs and the only astro cameras were CCD. The price difference was substantial.

Nowadays with all the great options for dedicated astro cameras I would probably not even bother modding a DSLR. The data out of cooled astronomy cameras is going to be better and easier to process due to the fact that it's true raw data.

I still use a Nikon d810a once in a while when I travel due to the simplicity of onboard batteries and no computer needed. I can see the mirrorless/DSLR still as the better option for Milky Way/night scapes but that's about it.

[scanner97]

Good topic!  Couple other thoughts from having come back from a long time away...

 

You really can start with just a tripod (no tracker) and Nico's stuff at Nebula Photos (see above) will help a lot!

 

With no tracking, it's useful to calculate how long your exposure can be without getting star trails.  (If you want those, great.  If you don't keep reading.)

 

The calculator I use is here.

 

You will need to have the pixel pitch of your camera (called "photosite size" there) as well as the focal length of your lens, the focal ratio (called "opening" there) and the rough declination of your target.

You can either look up the pixel pitch of your sensor on one of the sensor spec websites, or you can take the easy route on the NPF website by plugging in the sensor format (FF, APS-C or M4/3) and the resolution (horizontal number of pixels) and letting it calculate this for you.

The f.l. of your lens (or telescope) and the DEC of your target will have the biggest impact, and most of the results you get will be between 1 and 20 seconds.  Even a wide field (~34mm FF equivalent) milky way shot can only be a few seconds if you've got the celestial equator in that ~50* fov.  OTOH, a 200mm lens on Polaris to capture the IFN can go 15-20 seconds.  We all have different tolerances for star size and calculation engines.  If you prefer, just try a few seconds, and adjust up or down as needed!

 

Imaging and processing are two equally important sides of the hobby.  You can start to learn processing with freeware and minimal hardware.

 

As you add hardware, it can be tempting to go all in, but trying to learn a half dozen new things at once can be overwhelming and make it much harder to trouble-shoot when you have an issue.  You could put a camera+lens on a decent mount and start taking ~30 second unguided subs just to understand the mount.  You could swap out your lens for a scope or your DSLR for an astro camera as a next step.  Auto-guiding is a whole other thing, but needed if you want subs longer than maybe 30 seconds (depending on your mount.)  And then there is the world of sequencing.  (Guiding and sequencing will both want a computer connected to your mount, as will the more automated forms of polar alignment.)

 

You could turn all that on at once, or a bit at a time.  And how fast you go is totally up to your personal preference and budget.

Edited by scanner97, 11 January 2025 - 04:21 PM.

[flappah]

Having done the whole DSLR to refractor and astrocamera route I can still say that for me this was the most pleasant route. Doing one step at the time and taking the time to make mistake after mistake lets your learn the most effectively. But also you get the chance to learn from each mistake and each has immediate satisfying results.

I’ve started out with just a Nikon D7000 and D780 camera with a 135mm f4 and 70-200mm f2.8 lens and tried it all. Did the calculations for optimal shutter speeds. Bought the MSM nomad (which I still think is an excellent light travel mount for doing capturing during vacations. It just fits in a regular photography backpack and can be mounted on a regular tripod) and have the SkyWatcher Star Adventurer GTi (excellent mount to get grip on the basics of 2 or 3 star alignments for the goto functionality. I still remember the joy from having done my very first alignment and then giving the mount the order to go to M81 and when taking the first 30 second ISO 1600 shot it shows the galaxy clear as day. I was over the moon with that). Since September last year I’ve completely switched to an AM5 mount (I was planning on going for an AM5N but the local supplier gave me a really good discount on the older AM5) an FF80 refractor and an ASI533MC pro camera. The current frames I shoot are light years ahead of what I did earlier but each phase gave me a sense of accomplishment. And I learned it all slowly which prevents disappointment. It’s a technically challenging hobby and you can burn out quickly if things don’t go your way. Small steps that give results is satisfying. I remember going outside with only goal. Being able to do a good polar alignment. Only that. No shooting. Only the alignment. If I succeeded in that for that evening I was satisfied.

Oh yeah, one thing. Buy a bahtinov mask. Getting sharp stars on your little screen is a major pain in the butt. Bahtinov mask. Saves you tons of frustration!!

Edited by flappah, 11 January 2025 - 04:51 PM.

[mayhem13]

I followed the same path…..and still use a modded Canon DSLR and Mirrorless sometimes,

 

This topic in winter is great as I found there’s very little noise difference between cooled and non cooled when it’s 35 degrees outside. I do optimize the workflow though by controlling the camera with Astrophotography Tool. The L Enhance clip in filter is a nice touch for nebulae.

 

 

[Spaceman 56]

I shot for 1 year with a DSLR cameras. Standard Pentax and Nikon  (not modified)

 

for the first few months, I used my terrestrial camera lenses, ranging from 35 to 300mm. at this time I was shooting STATIC off of a tripod ladder thing that I built out of plywood.

 

this was my first Astro Rig and I was using a 20 year old 2 mega pixel Pentax, which got upgraded to the Nikon D5600.

 

 

I learnt a great deal with this system, and my next upgrade was to add an EQ mount.

then I connected the DSLR onto an 80mm Refractor, and continued with the DSLR set up for quite some time.

 

 

I was able to get some very nice shots with the above system.

 

 

 

 

I am Glad that I started at the bottom with AP.  

 

still learning every day and thanks to the helpful forum members who assisted me in this journey. 

 

[danny1976]

I have a Canon 1200D + 28-135mm on a fixed tripod and I only use it for meteor showers. 

 

I have two IMX571 cooled astrocams so I don't see any reason to use the dslr. 

I am planning to take wide angle milky way shots with the 28-135mm but I will use the 2600MC. I only need to get me a ZWO Canon EF adapter. 

[unimatrix0]

My story is, I never had a DSLR until like 2018  Previously before that, I owned a 35mm Canon back in like the 90s to until like 2003. I actually had classes on how to use an SLR camera with film and how to develop it on my own. I did that for a while, artistic this and that, but later I lost interest.   Meanwhile I did have telescopes, namely an Orion 150mm reflector on an equatorial mount and a 90mm refractor on an alt-az mount. I used those here and there for visual, once I even tried photographing the moon but that didn't work out... 

 

After that I had no desire the need to own DSLRs, whatever I photographed was done with the disposable cameras or later with cell phones. At around 2015 my brother brought a Canon then he gave it to me and I used that randomly.  Not until 2018 when I bought my first DSLR, the Pentax K70, which had the exciting feature of sensor shift technology to be used to photograph the milky way and expose more than 5-10 seconds when the sensor would counter the star movements.   Honestly I could never get it to work and meanwhile my daughter wanted a telescope for Christmas, I decided to buy one for myself too. The rest is history. 

 

The thing is today, there are just so many options and so easy to get into astrophotography and not using a DSLR.  With cameras like the 585 and 533, I see no point of buying a DSLR or mirrorless for astrophotography.

I know the want is there for the APS-C sensor or the full frame, but it's still a rookie mistake to think that you really gonna need an APS-C or a full frame to start out with. And seeing the prices, people who just want to dip their toes into this hobby should not spend thousands of dollars on a camera.  You get that 585 or 533 for  $500-800 , which is pretty much the price of budget DSLR or mirrolesss anyway. 

 

Except you get a much more sensitive sensor with no modification needed. 

 

That's another thing most people don't realize. Those DSLR cameras you can buy and if they were made before 2022 , their quantum efficiency is very poor by today's astro camera standards. The 585 might be small but it's 80 or higher percentage in sensitivity, while a DSLR or mirrorless is like 50% at best. 

 

Basically you are catching half the photons with a DSLR compared a dedicated astro camera.  Considering the prices around and with all the new tech regarding robot scopes like the Seestar S50 and S30, don't buy a dslr or mirrorless for astrophotography! 

Edited by unimatrix0, 11 January 2025 - 06:54 PM.

[DrWFV]

Have a general long term plan for the rig that you want to have in future - telescope, mount, astro camera etc. Work towards this one step at a time at whatever pace is suitable for you. Try to avoid temporary purchases that don't fit into the long term plan. However, some "beginner" equipment may be useful for travel or other photographic activities in future.

So, this is the thing in my head today…
On the other forum they are giving good arguments towards a dobsonian, like easy to use in my balcony and to transport to other place. Price. Being suitable for beginners and enough “general” purpose…
I was thinking to start there, maybe with some EAA experience, but as you mention here, I am afraid to buy something that is totally out of the path…

On the other end the path I imagined initially (the scope on the AZ GTi, then convert to eq, then buy an Astro cam…) turned out unfeasible as the telescope is not well suited and the mount as too low capability to house a good one…

So now I am thinking of two possible problems:
Start with the dob that is not usable in the future ? (Neither mount nor telescope)
Start with the EQM-35 that maybe too cumbersome in my spaces and for a start?

Do you think that the Heritage 150 Virtuoso could be a suitable entry point ? (Keeping short exposures)
Could be used to gain experience for a while or would it prove itself limited too soon ?
Maybe fight the limitations for a while could have a good impact on my future performance

On the other side, as someone said, spend more upfront would save in the long run…

[BlueMoon]

I started out with a DSLR, then purchased a couple ZWO ASI183 cameras, mono and color and now I'm headed back to using my DSLR. Couple of reasons. First, I'm tired of lugging extra gear around, cables, laptop, etc. and running software for imaging. Second, I've been reading extensively through Roger Clark's website: https://clarkvision.com/index.html I never realized how much I missed or simply didn't know about imaging with my DSLR when I started out in AP. His information, discussion and examples across the AP field has completely rekindled my interest in imaging with my Canon SL3. Cheers.

Edited by BlueMoon, 11 January 2025 - 06:36 PM.

[DrWFV]

The thing is today, there are just so many options and so easy to get into astrophotography and not using a DSLR. With cameras like the 585 and 533, I see no point of buying a DSLR or mirrorless for astrophotography.
I know the want is there for the APS-C sensor or the full frame, but it's still a rookie mistake to think that you really gonna need an APS-C or a full frame to start out with. And seeing the prices, people who just want to dip their toes into this hobby should not spend thousands of dollars on a camera.

Understandable, but here the point is someone already having a DSLR and photographic experience.
So is using it avoiding the need to buy a camera and bring on site and connect a computer…

[BlueMoon]

 

The thing is today, there are just so many options and so easy to get into astrophotography

I consider "easy" to be subjective. To me, DSLR AP is a mount, lens or scope, DSLR and intervalometer. Dedicated camera is mount, lens or scope, camera, cable(s), laptop or mini-pc (need batteries?), maybe an ASIAIR, software (with it's own learning curve).

 

 

... but it's still a rookie mistake to think that you really gonna need an APS-C or a full frame to start out with.

What are beginners but rookies? One can spend as much money or more getting started in dedicated camera AP as they can buying an expensive DSLR.

 

I've seen many threads on CN where folks new to AP and asking for "starting out" advice have had everything including the kitchen sink suggested to get started using dedicated cameras. Man, I'd be thinking twice about it right from the get go at that point. 

 

To each his own. Cheers.

[DeepSky Di]

Understandable, but here the point is someone already having a DSLR and photographic experience.
So is using it avoiding the need to buy a camera and bring on site and connect a computer…

 

So, this is the thing in my head today…
On the other forum they are giving good arguments towards a dobsonian, like easy to use in my balcony and to transport to other place. Price. Being suitable for beginners and enough “general” purpose…
I was thinking to start there, maybe with some EAA experience, but as you mention here, I am afraid to buy something that is totally out of the path…

On the other end the path I imagined initially (the scope on the AZ GTi, then convert to eq, then buy an Astro cam…) turned out unfeasible as the telescope is not well suited and the mount as too low capability to house a good one…

So now I am thinking of two possible problems:
Start with the dob that is not usable in the future ? (Neither mount nor telescope)
Start with the EQM-35 that maybe too cumbersome in my spaces and for a start?

Do you think that the Heritage 150 Virtuoso could be a suitable entry point ? (Keeping short exposures)
Could be used to gain experience for a while or would it prove itself limited too soon ?
Maybe fight the limitations for a while could have a good impact on my future performance

On the other side, as someone said, spend more upfront would save in the long run…

There is no single thing that is best for visual + planets + DSO astrophotography. My suggestion is to divide and conquer.

 

I don't have a goto Dobsonian but I think it would work for visual with a kid. My guess is that kids want to see things happen and will tune out or get frustrated or bored if there's a lot of time spent setting up and hunting for targets.

 

For AP if you already have a DSLR then you can get started with the DSLR and take it at your own pace. 

 

I got  started 5 years ago with a non-goto Star Adventurer and DSLR. After the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades were gone in the summer, I couldn't find any targets for a few months. Then I started to try to find the Andromeda Galaxy, which did not go well. When I got my first goto mount I zipped all over the sky in minutes. Over the years I have added another goto mount and astro cameras. But for some purposes, (solar eclipse for example) DSLRs would still be my choice. I just added a Star Adventurer GTi as a second travel rig and took 2 rigs on a recent car trip.

[Spaceman 56]

Understandable, but here the point is someone already having a DSLR and photographic experience.
So is using it avoiding the need to buy a camera and bring on site and connect a computer…

Agreed.

 

most older people will have a DSLR or 2, sitting around on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. I know I did.

 

maybe kids that grew up with phones skipped that era of technology, but I bet if they asked their parents and older direct relatives, one of them at least would have a DSLR lying around that they would be happy to donate to a good cause.  and in the Pawn shops they start at about $35 where I live for an old one, and less than $150 for something about half decent. much less than a cooled astro-cam. it costs about $15 to buy the Tee Ring adapter to connect the DSLR on to the telescope.

 

the entry price point to get started with a DSLR is negligible for most of us living in the first world.

 

the other advantage to starting using this method, is that you DONT need to buy anything complex or expensive, other than the Telescope (or Lenses) and the mount, and you will be forced to actually learn to Polar align manually, which I think is also a useful skill to have.

 

I remember the first night when the target stayed centred in the FOV of my DSLR for more than an hour and I was so happy, thinking WOW I have finally got this Polar alignment thing working. Ha Ha...  

 

I quite like the slow journey with AP, its works for me.   

Edited by Spaceman 56, 11 January 2025 - 09:29 PM.

[scanner97]

...but as you mention here, I am afraid to buy something that is totally out of the path…

On the other end the path I imagined initially (the scope on the AZ GTi, then convert to eq, then buy an Astro cam…) 

I understand that you have some interest in astronomy, and would like to connect your experience with photography.  But your dicussion of path seems very focused on hardware.  Can you share more about your interests and what you want to accomplish?  Or something about what excites you most and least?  e.g. the satisfaction of finding small smudges in an eyepiece vs. seeing detail in colorful images that you captured and processed yourself.  Or maybe it's seeing colorful images with a minimum amount of effort.  Is learning how to use new hardware and software something you find energizing, or frustrating?  Does setting up and taking down a bunch of equipment feel like part of the experience, or something that's getting in the way of the experience?

 

There are a lot of potential pathways but, as Diane said, there isn't one that can get you everywhere.  

 

To answer your question on the Virtuoso, that might be an ok option for a starter visual telescope.  I've read mixed reviews so I'd advise hearing from a couple of folks who've used one.  You might be able to put a light planetary camera on it, with what success I'm not sure, but I can't imagine hanging a DSLR off that focuser.

[BQ Octantis]

I started with a Pentax Super Program and a Vivitar 70-210 v2.

 

I wish I hadn't waited 15 years to upgrade to a DSLR.

 

Only after 5 years of concerted effort with the DSLR would I have considered myself proficient in astrometry. But I think modern freeware AP tools would have made that journey much shorter…

 

Cheers,

 

BQ

[The_boots]

So I'm still a raw beginner, but just a thought about why I went with a mirrorless instead of a dedicated Astro cam. As a beginner, I don't know if this hobby is going to be one that sticks, or even if it does, where it will take me.
A standard camera will be useful no matter what-- whether I end up taking pictures of the sky or pictures of my kids. It may not be ideal for astrophotography, but all it really has to do is get me to the point where I know if I want to go to the next level.

[DrWFV]

I understand that you have some interest in astronomy, and would like to connect your experience with photography.  

Yes

 

But your dicussion of path seems very focused on hardware. 

That's because I am near the process of purchasing... 

 

Can you share more about your interests and what you want to accomplish?  Or something about what excites you most and least?  e.g. the satisfaction of finding small smudges in an eyepiece vs. seeing detail in colorful images that you captured and processed yourself.  Or maybe it's seeing colorful images with a minimum amount of effort.  Is learning how to use new hardware and software something you find energizing, or frustrating?  Does setting up and taking down a bunch of equipment feel like part of the experience, or something that's getting in the way of the experience?

My Interest:

I would like to enjoy astronomy, I like the visual feel, and I like that it will be way better than my previous kid experience, but I would tends towards EAA because I would like to see beyond what I visually see and to perceive colours. 

My goal would be AP, but I will probably start the path with Visual (to get confidence to the scope) and EAA for pleasure and "EAA+" intending low quality AP to make experience with "low-end" "jerry rigged" equipment and experiment the processing, try yo get the best of what I have. 

Next I would buy better equipment and try to get serious trying to get the best from good stuff. 

 

What Excites me or not:

Kinda like Nebulas, Excited by Galaxies and Ring of Saturn. 

Not excited by "Clusters". 

I would be excited on what I see on the eyepiece, but I think it could result limited and I will miss colours. So I am more into EAA and AP but consider Visual "the Basis". 

I would strongly would like to manage the capture and the processing by my self. I want to feel the picture mine. 

And I am a big fun of processing. 

 

Learning... energizing or frustrating ?: 

Well, I really love to learn and experience how thing works, both HW & SW. When I started photography was already with a digital DLSR, and still... 

I wanted to know how everything worked, I experimented with everything, reverse mounting objectives for extra macro, open flash, then also film, old mechanical camera, dark room developing and printing, how to develop with extra dynamical range...

 

Setting Up and Taking down ?:

Generally not frustrating, but after a week of rain it's three days of coming home in the evening seeing the planets, take out the mini-dob to could down to find after dinner clouds that covers also the moon... and if there is a clear patch is on the wrong side of the house... maybe I will change idea    

but I would not like the idea of bring a laptop to observation... maybe when I feel the need I will organise something with a Raspberry (and later maybe ASIair)

 

To answer your question on the Virtuoso, that might be an ok option for a starter visual telescope.  I've read mixed reviews so I'd advise hearing from a couple of folks who've used one.  You might be able to put a light planetary camera on it, with what success I'm not sure, but I can't imagine hanging a DSLR off that focuser.

Well, one thing is for sure. If I end up with the Virtuoso (and the possibility to share the experience with my daughter easier may tend toward this...) for sure I will try to stick everything to it ! From the smartphone to engage my kids to the DLSR that I already have and has great potential, going later to a planetary camera that as I understand could be later re-used as guidance for DSO and maybe make better experience with the use of AP process and an eventual ASiair... I assure you I would really stress the scope prior to buy a new one !   

 

Also... 

So I'm still a raw beginner, but just a thought about why I went with a mirrorless instead of a dedicated Astro cam. As a beginner, I don't know if this hobby is going to be one that sticks, or even if it does, where it will take me.
A standard camera will be useful no matter what-- whether I end up taking pictures of the sky or pictures of my kids. It may not be ideal for astrophotography, but all it really has to do is get me to the point where I know if I want to go to the next level.

This is a good concept and will address me towards my initial thought of getting something maybe not ideal but with which I could do basic experience of different things... 

And it will cost a lot less... so maybe I will spend some money to good accessories and mods that I will not have the possibility to do with the other choice...  

 

And that:

I’ve started out with just a Nikon D7000 and D780 camera with a 135mm f4 and 70-200mm f2.8 lens and tried it all. Did the calculations for optimal shutter speeds. Bought the MSM nomad (which I still think is an excellent light travel mount for doing capturing during vacations. It just fits in a regular photography backpack and can be mounted on a regular tripod) 

Seems a really good accessory for the vacations... 

[zveck]

I hate to be a contrarian and sound negative, but I used a DSLR and a zoom lens for a little over a year.  However, my pics improved by 100 when I went to an astrocam, telescope, and proper filter.  Although I do image from Bortle 8/9.

 

Yes, DSLRs are great to get your feet wet if you already own a DSLR, and I don't regret starting there.  What I do regret is waiting so long to get my current setup.  Ideally, for me at least, I should have spent a few months learning the ropes with a DSLR before moving on to an astrocam.  It was frustrating and the results were horrible...

I too image from bortle hell apartment 8-9. I waited 1 month before deciding DLSR just was not going to work out and needed to move on to something better or give up. I went with a dedicated mono astrocamera + filter wheel and saw the results that made me happy. Decent light pollution filters were not available then so mono was the only choice or give up. Now with much better filters, color is an option.

[scanner97]

@OP ... your answers help a lot.

 

Since you have an inclination toward EAA and also want to get to AP eventually, I might suggest two parallel paths.

 

Smart scopes like the SeeStar and Dwarf are not expensive, easy to use, and would be a great way to share with your daughter.  They provide nice images that are very engaging since they "grow" on your smartphone through the live stacking process.  It's also possible to take the files and process them using standard post-processing software, so you'll have a chance to experience that whole side of the hobby.

 

At the same time, you could start using whatever DSLR and tripod you have to take and process some untracked shots.  When you're ready to invest a little in the imaging side, you can grab something like the Nomad or a Star Adventurer to put your camera on.  

 

And, since this is something you'd like to share with your daughter, perhaps you can involve her in the decision process.  (I realize that will depend quite a bit on her age...)

 

Wishing you all the best!

[DrWFV]

@OP ... your answers help a lot.

Well, thank YOU a lot.

Actually I was the one asking for help, and your questions helped more than any answer I was expecting. 

 

I realised that what I want to do NOW is some Visual+EAA with live/fast on site stacking and possibility to later redo some process... 

In the future I would like to do DSO AP, but probably I am not ready. 

 

My desired path is to start with maybe low quality but  have some fun and get better with time, experience and HW upgrades (hopefully just when needed)...

 

For now I would be content to reach a quality like this examples in a few months:

And hopefully continue to progress and or start to add new gadget...

 

Smart scopes like the SeeStar and Dwarf are not expensive, easy to use, and would be a great way to share with your daughter.  They provide nice images that are very engaging since they "grow" on your smartphone through the live stacking process.  It's also possible to take the files and process them using standard post-processing software, so you'll have a chance to experience that whole side of the hobby.

Well, in december I looked for her Toy Telescope and I discovered the concept of SmartTelescope, I was initially enthusiast, but a little after the initial hype I change my mind. I now how they are easy, and that they offer performance way over their cost... but I would not come past the idea that I will get the same satisfaction of downloading the images from the internet...

 

 

And, since this is something you'd like to share with your daughter, perhaps you can involve her in the decision process.  (I realize that will depend quite a bit on her age...)

She's 8

[scanner97]

Well, in december I looked for her Toy Telescope and I discovered the concept of SmartTelescope, I was initially enthusiast, but a little after the initial hype I change my mind. I now how they are easy, and that they offer performance way over their cost... but I would not come past the idea that I will get the same satisfaction of downloading the images from the internet...

 

 

She's 8

If you take the images on a smartscope but improve them with your own post processing, that might feel different.  Or not.  It's such a personal thing.  You could even make a game out of it...  Which image is better, this one or that one?  Let your daughter decide.  The only rule is she needs to tell you WHY one is better - which can be totally subjective for her.

 

8 is a challenging age.  Mine are out of the house now, but I remember a bit from that time.  There was a lot of throwing things against the wall to see if anything stuck - for them.  Finding any way to get her involved that she enjoys is a win.

 

It does sound like you really want to do some visual for now.  My suggestion would be to post in the EAA forum and ask for advice there.  Mention your budget and tell them you'd really like to get some gear that would enable you to do a little visual as well as get your feet wet in EAA.