Help needed for taking DSLR photos through a telescope

[scorpio94]

Hi. I am having some problems with taking telescopic pictures using a dslr. I have gotten a telescope adapter for the dslr. Even though bright images can be seen from the dslr, after the shutter is pressed, images appear completely dark. Anyone has any suggestions about this?

[ivan]

Hi there,

What do you mean bright images can be seen from the DSLR? Do you mean it from the live view or the viewfinder?

Also, what do you mean after the shutter is pressed? Are you taking long or short exposures?

If you see a bright image on your live view or viewfinder but the resulting image doesn't show anything, the issue is probably with your exposure values.

[antares2063]

hi scorpio94, what kind of scope are u using? A refractor ? reflector?

Also how is your setup like , is it :

a) Telescope -> eyepiece removed -> camera adaptor -> DSLR sensor (Prime focus method)

or

b) Telescope -> Eyepiece -> camera adaptor -> DSLR sensor (Eyepiece projection method)

or

c) Telescope = > Eyepiece -> camera adaptor -> DSLR lens + DSLR sensor (Afocal method)

All 3 diff methods need different focusing distances , so the choice of your telescope also plays a part.

Maybe its easier to try on moon first as it is the brightest and simplest celestial object to target. If you are trying to take or have tried to take a star field pic, long exposures are needed as Ivan mentioned and inherently more difficult.

Hope this helps.

[mymoon]

Hi. I am having some problems with taking telescopic pictures using a dslr. I have gotten a telescope adapter for the dslr. Even though bright images can be seen from the dslr, after the shutter is pressed, images appear completely dark. Anyone has any suggestions about this?

Try it in daytime. Using the set up Focus on a distance object and with camera Av setting ISO = 100 or 200. Shoot a tree or a building or a street lamp pole but NEVER the sun or an apartment window. In fact it is a good habit to have the sun at your back when shooting with a telescope in daytime.

You will need a remote shutter release or otherwise use your self timer. Otherwise you will get the camera shakes.

Having succeeded you need to go to camera M setting. Your aperture is fixed by the f stop of your telescope so you have to manually adjust your ISO and exposure time. Play2 with high ISO and adjust the exposure time accordingly. As you are practising in daytime your inbuilt camera metering should work.

At night try street light first; focus on the street light bulb . You may try lighted buildings too or the telecoms tower aircraft lights. Over the next few days the crescent moon will be visible.That is your next target followed by individual stars.

To image DSO. You need a mount.

Highly recommend to go and join Gary at his outreach. You may be lucky to have a photographer using a telescope either prime or afocal. Bring your DSLR and adapter. Gary may let you shoot using his set up.

All the best.

[Gary]

Hi scorpio94. Welcome to the forum!

You may want to provide more detailed information and photos here so others can help you better (e.g. brand and model of telescope, camera settings, what objects you used to test your setup and how far they are, ...).