Hello everyone,

I would like to understand what is best for me to buy to start with astrophotography, I have already opened discussions in the past about the possibility of buying material for astrophotography, however, not having a car in Rome I have never been able to move too much from the city and the idea of ​​starting has always been postponed. I have a modest equipment in terms of cameras but I see that high-end cameras are not needed to do good astrophotography, in the future I could buy a dedicated reflex without a filter on the CMOS sensor.

I have some questions to ask you

1)what are the cheapest astro trackers to buy in addition to the model I have listed below, if there are valid alternatives?

I know this model "Star Adventurer GTI": https://www.astroshop.it/supporti-per-fotocamere/skywatcher-montatura-star-adventurer-gti-wi-fi-goto/p,75964?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=75964&utm_campaign=2410&utm_source=froogle-it&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUs-oq0YCPowqELWfGRYI-JzyAzwGohHc1dHS1iK3BacCIqARSWQ8KUaArxZEALw_wcB&utm_content

I'm also evaluating mini trackers like these, for example the lx3 essential mount

https://www.omegon.eu/it/supporti-per-fotocamere/omegon-montatura-minitrack-lx3-essentials/p,70825

on a photographic level I would like to try to photograph galaxies as well as the Milky Way and the sky in general, I imagine that with a mini tracker it will only be possible to photograph them without being able to use too long focal lengths, I have several lenses including the 55-250mm Canon telephoto.

2. Maybe at 100mm it would still be possible to photograph some galaxies or up to what focal length can you go with a mini tracker and how many seconds of exposure?

3. while instead you confirm that the equatorial eq3 mount that I see below is not suitable for astrophotography as it is also because it does not have motors?

https://www.astroshop.it/equatoriale-senza-goto/skywatcher-montatura-eq3-2/p,16080?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=16080&utm_campaign=2410&utm_source=froogle-it&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUtSWTVbi3IUc1GP3WyB5G7HoFZTlHOoqctAfX8z5UzEC1-3xCE-3moaAgrpEALw_wcB&utm_content

4)the eq3 has a maximum load capacity of 5kg as well as the star tracker and the motorized version has about the same price, so perhaps the Star Adventurer GTI star tracker remains a better choice than the eq3 mount why less bulky?

https://www.astroshop.it/equatoriale-con-goto/skywatcher-montatura-eq3-pro-synscan-goto/p,11663?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=11663&utm_campaign=2410&utm_source=froogle-it&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUvp5Q0lTRWBSmB_53CG1TkR_WXUtJanciq_6GkD4_-Oxk1UWr0QXmYaAmDjEALw_wcB&utm_content

I have to choose a photographic tripod, something that I would like to use for astrophotography and for photography in general, maybe if I go on a mountain excursion I would like to take it with me, so also transportable

the models that were recommended to me were the Manfrotto 190 series and 055, but with my budget I could only buy them used because new they cost around €250 and used they can be found for around €100

with similar specifications I found this:

https://www.kentfaith.it/KF09.105_kf-concept-70-177cm-treppiede-per-fotocamera-in-alluminio-treppiede-per-fotocamera-portatile-in-alluminio-per-viaggi-e-lavoro-macrofotografia-m1-bh-35l-vecchio-modello-sp4022m3

it weighs 1789g and seems to be very heavy as well as the Manfrotto 190 series, the brand seems to be quite reliable in terms of quality.

5. can this tripod be put on an astro tracker like this?

https://www.skywatcher.it/Skywatcher/astronomia/montature/star-adventurer/

Hey everyone!

I've put together a detailed tutorial on how to stack and post-process astrophotography images using Siril software. This guide walks you through the entire process—from loading your captures to enhancing your final images. If you're into astrophotography and want to make the most out of your data, this guide could be helpful.

Check it out here: https://sathvikacharyaa.github.io/sirilastro/

Feel free to leave feedback or ask any questions.

So I imaged the North American nebula and I would like to know if to make it look like the nebula and not just stars. It’s a 30 second exposure on an iPhone, with the help of a short tube refractor and a star tracker

Hi all, Last night I was camping in the middle of nowhere in Victoria, Australia. We were all sitting around the fire and decided to look at the stars. We saw a perfect line in the sky and then 15 minutes later it was gone. Does anyone have any idea what this would be? At first we thought it was a power line, even though we know there is no power lines in the area. When we checked again in approximately 15 minutes it was gone so no photos were taken. Has anyone had any similar sighting and could shed some light on what it could be? My first thought was contrails from a plane or a meteor tale?

I’m just getting into astrophotography with my fiancé and we’re looking for a good camera to take our own shots.

There’s so many on the market for different prices and all the specs go over my head…

Does anyone have any recommendations? It’s a new hobby and we’re eager to get out there and explore.

Idk if anyone needs to know we have a telescope.. not very expensive but it does the job to see the moon up close and various stars and stuff…

Thanks in advance!!

M16 unedited good luck!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EE61IJkUk9jPe_3KQXtUsPhrBuETnhkZ?usp=sharing

I've spent a couple of years with a Celestron Nexstar 8SE as an introduction to astrophotography. A great way to start looking to the skies.

I managed to get some reasonably good Moon, Jupiter & Saturn results with a ZWO 224. Tried Orion's nebula a few times with some success but found that it was easier to use the 1 shot Canon Rebel T2i with an F/6.3 reducer to get the same result. Cool pics but lacking detail. The first best is hanging on the wall.

A few weeks ago, after watching a few masterful deep sky photo sessions on line (AstroBackyard), I set out to shoot the Great Orion Nebula with the Canon once more... With a ton(ne?) of luck I managed 9 pics out of 40, 30 second exposure @ ISO 1600 with sharp stars. Took the requisite darks, flats and bias (studied the process carefully) and ran them through Deep Sky Stacker.

After a few level teaks, the result was stunning... I have a composite that I can't believe I produced. The old pick will be replaced.

The next weekend, I chased the Pleiades and Andromeda... Yikes! A total bust. The Celestron Nexstar got close to Pleiades (my bad for not studying the star patterns more closely) and there was no visual reference to Andromeda due to city lights (I should have had the O III in). A Dilemma that many have had.

Sorry if I've just repeated every post ever made to this thread.

So... I'm upgrading. I've studied. I know I need a precise equatorial mount and guidance to garner long exposures. There are a lot of options out there. I'm looking for suggestions.

Any alternative thoughts on the CEM60 with a tri pier? Does the pier make a significant difference?

Any suggestions on APO deep sky telescopes would be appreciated.

An off axis guide scope seems like it would be better that a guide scope due to flex. Does anyone have an indication that the prism interferes with the captured images? Does the inability to find a bright guide star within the subjects view present a problem?

Any advice is most welcome.