Connect Sony Cybershot DSC-H20

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:26 am

alright then I guess I'll just switch to DSLR for astrophotography next time.. I bet if I build my inventory for Afocal photography, I might as well get a DSLR... hahaha

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:27 am

ken - I suggest you pay a visit to Joo Beng: He's the owner of Astrobargains. He does have the equipment on hand and he's also keen on astro so he'll definitely be able to help you out and make sure your equipment will work well.

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:29 am

alrite! thks superiorstream and cloud_cover!! Maybe I should ask Joo Beng for help

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:30 am

Actually if you're thinking of DSLR for astro, there are some modified Canon XT (350D) on A-Mart going for under USD300. Plus shipping should be under USD 400.
But ken - taking pics of dim objects requires extended exposure times, which in turn requires a tracking mount so your costs will go up rapidly. Do consider this as well so you're not frustrated.

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:39 am

cloud_cover thks for being so realistic for me xD

I guess I'll do this like few years later...

haha

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:31 pm

Oh wait: You have an EQ mount. Soz, I thought you had the table top mount. If your EQ3 is motorized you can definitely do some deep sky but you're going to need a camera that can expose for long periods. Just be modest in your expectations - it won't be hubble like, at least not initially

Soz bro....
Actually you can take pics of stars as well: just not zoomed in shots with your telescope. A 17mm lens will allow almost 1 min without trailing, I've done 5s on a 50mm with no trails. However, at 400mm only 1.3s for objects at Zenith. Just so you have an idea

Post by **weixing** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:05 pm

Hi,
There is a mod Canon 300D for sale by kochu in buy and sell section at a good price... I think still available.

If you want to do prime photography with your scope, I'll suggest you use a 2x barlow to extend to F8... the coma will be quite serious at F4 without a coma corrector and I don't think there is any 1.25" coma corrector available in the market.

Anyway, you can start learn by using your current camera to shoot wide field (stars trails, constellation & etc)... you can also piggyback on your scope. Or you can use a webcam for lunar and planet photography if you had a notebook.

The most importance thing is to have fun.

Have a nice day.

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:21 pm

I'll need for money to grow for another few more months while I explore my choices and learn more about it!

shirox · Post by **shirox** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:23 pm

there are also a couple of eos DSLR for sale at VR-zone.
EOS1000D and 500D are on 2nd hand right now

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:36 pm

Tell us how you make your money grow too! *grin*
I agree with Weixing: The most important thing is just to have fun

Explore the sky, enjoy the beauty of the heavens before going into more technical things. That way you also have an appreciation for what you are imaging.
There's a lot that can be seen with your starblast. Wait for the summer months too; there's a lot going on in just Scorpio itself; 2 famous clusters, 2 relatively bright nebulae nearby in Sagittarius (Lagoon and Trifid)