NEBULA Photography with a Cheap DSLR & Lens
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- Опубликовано: 15 фев 2020
- The Star Tracker I Use: bit.ly/3OUOy8U
Rokinon 135mm Lens: amzn.to/2SIStqA
In this video, I’ll prove that you don’t need an expensive camera to take incredible astrophotography images. The camera used in this video is an old Canon EOS T3i, which is actually a great little astrophotography camera.
To be honest, knowing HOW to capture great data, and image processing skills are much more important than the camera you use. I hope you enjoyed this video, and subscribe if you haven’t already!
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Don’t get me wrong, I love watching your videos but to say it’s not bad for a “$200” camera is a bit misleading when you have a $400 tracker, $500 lens, $150 light pollution filter, and various other expenses like tripod, dew heater, and remote. Easily in the $1500 range if you pick a cheap tripod... a budget rig when compared to using dedicated imaging equipment for sure but still misleading to say a cheap DSLR did this when the real magic happens with a steady tripod, tracker, and modded camera with a filter... all I’m saying is $200 and eBay is t getting you there. And yes, it’s still expensive. However, still love to see your videos, keep them coming.
Is it more expensive than nature, landscape, wildlife, wedding, architectural photography? If you haven't noticed, photography itself can be expensive. And remember the old adage; you get what you pay for. In other words, this is an inexpensive SOLUTION to the expenses associated with higher end astro-photography or maybe, just maybe, astro-photography isn't for you.
Patrick Guilfoyle what the heck are you talking about... I simply said that saying a $200 camera from eBay will not get you those results alone. You COULD say for under $1500 including a self modded camera from eBay, you can do this... also, don’t presume to know what is and isn’t for me... I have several William Optics, Orion, Celestron, ES, and Meade scopes along with a few iOptron and Celestron mounts, ZWO cameras, etc... I know EXACTLY how expensive this is and can be. Although $1500 is an INEXPENSIVE entry into this hobby many will consider it expensive because it is an expensive hobby.
@@patrickguilfoyle8884 Agree that photography is an expensive hobby. But the point here is that, it requires a of investment just to get started in deep sky astro photography (tracker, filters, heater, good tripod, dedicated lens etc.)! Any other type of photography can be started with a cheap camera, kit lens and cheap tripod at best.
Anyway, great video as always. :)
@@gojaimo well then Trevor was just stating that instead of buying a more expensive telescope, you can get great shots with an old camera. HELLO!
Maybe you just move on....
Patrick Guilfoyle um no, don’t be like that... he clearly said you can take great deep space photos with a cheap Camera... I love his videos and his style and although Trevor doesn’t know me personally, he has inspired my newest light weight rig.... That said, I don’t have to agree with EVERYTHING he says... How about you move on and stop putting words in his mouth.
Cheap dslr but once it’s been modified it is no longer a cheap dslr. And the filter is worth more than the camera!
Mod yourself for free. I did
@@AstroBackyard Where do you get the CLS-CCD for free :o
@@AstroBackyard He's also referring to the filter. That's an extra ~$160.
@@Rad_Travels And the lens which is almost 500 dollars
Heck even the tracker is more then the camera even the cheaper ones.
Plot twist. It's the filters and star tracker and the sky quality that matters.
Isn't that a given? Water is wet...
Perhaps not so obvious to newcomers of the hobby.
@@Disnamesucksass yes im quite new and i havent bought myself a tracker yet. i should get a filter too. i live in a class 9 sky
And those are not cheap 😁
@@hzubovi1 true, the lens is the next most expensive item. But there are less expensive alternatives. There's currently quite a few old Nikon 135 f2 or f2.8 AI lenses on ebay less than £100, and the mount I mentioned is roughly half the price of the mount he uses. It might not be as advanced, but it's a start.
"Cheap rig"
Bruh
exactly! EOS and cheap, choose one
*conveniently forgets the expensive filter and star tracker*
@@killer120070507 What about $500 lens? This can probably be done with tamron/sigma 70-300mm and some cheap ass filters if you want to go on budget but tracker will be by far most expensive still. Cant see this happening under $500 all in to be honest. His setup is like $1500... LOL
@@beating2 That was Orange's point.
@@killer120070507 And the $499.00 lens.
Every time you upload I feel as giddy as a kid on Christmas. I've always loved Astronomy and never thought it was possible to take photos of these objects like you do without some crazy huge scientific telescope. After watching your videos though a large chunk of my tax returns will be going into Astrophotography! Keep doing the amazing work that you are doing not just for Astrophotography but for science in general. It's the people like yourself that will truly influence the world of science.
Very informative and well presented video.
In the early 90's I built a barn door tracker with a curved rod driven by an old turntable motor. Balanced everything as best I could, pointed the hinge at Polaris and used an old film camera to photograph the Constellation Orion. I managed to get a few passable photos out of 2-3 rolls before the motor burned up. Most were over or under exposed or smeared due to tracking error. I considered it a success but nowhere near what is possible today with limited means. If you are here watching and interested in astrophotography I would definitely advise considering the Sky Watcher.
Eye opening and exactly the video I needed to see! Been dreaming of getting into deep sky photography and your videos have been a great guide. Just saving my pennies now for a Star tracker!
Thank-you to all experienced astro-photographers for supporting Trevor in making this entry-level content. This is perfect. I want this setup. Thank-you Trevor!
The lens is literally 3 times the price of the dslr 😂
Usually but plenty of vintage stuff is great
Well but...it´s still cheap compared to what some telescopes cost
Great video Trevor! Feels like a return to your older stuff. One thing, you might get slightly better performance if you drop your tripod down a bit, less leg extension, less opportunity for flex especially in a breeze. So cool to be reminded what can be done with a simple rig.
Wow, what a great result for such a narrow time consuming setup. Besides, you don't end up freezing to death during setup and especially when it comes to wrap everything up and get the whole kit back inside. I think the mod is critical to get that sharp nebulosity in an hour exposure around NGC2024 and IC434. Two thumbs up. Cheers from Chile
Nothing better than going back to your roots, Trevor! There's nothing quite like it, especially in nice dark skies. I love using the T3i and the star adventurer as well!
I'd love to see a video showing how you post-processed these shots! Really inspirational stuff, man.
There are several videos on how to post process the shots and that part is not expensive with free software like Sequator, Deep Sky Stacker, and GIMP.
@@markbishop1258 Man, I love GIMP. Linux and Windows both.
love it! What about if i tape my gopro to an egg timer?
eggtimer: $9
gopro: already have it
tape: $1
string: $1 (to tie up the cat so it doesnt knock it out of alt azimuth.
Haha, good luck polar aligning the egg timer though 😂
@@GalacticHunter 😄 but seriously. I really enjoyed this video. great result! 🕊✌
@@GalacticHunter Easily done using a polarmylometer. Only $24,000 from Amazon. Suggest you buy the $15 egg timer for better results though.
Don't forget the astro-pan stacker for pancake image stacking!
Give it go! It may take a little while to find polar alignment, but that's the same with telescopes on a equatorial mount(especially South of the equator!). Not sure how the egg timer will handle a heavier camera and lens though....
Check out the Barn Door mount as a better option for a heavier camera/lens combination. They can be made cheaply as a DIY project. You can free plans on the internet and likely videos right here on yt.
Nice to see some of the simpler aspects again Trevor, this is what first got me into this hobby and your channel. Someone at backyard with more basic setup showing the magic that can be done.
I stumble across your videos one day and now I found a new hobby!! I didn't even know you can take pics of space like that. Your pictures are just breath taking and I can't wait to start taking pictures myself. You have definitely inspired me!! Keep up the awesome work!
That is awesome. I can't wait to do this someday. I just gotta learn the whole processing steps from your videos and have confidence to doing it.
Yeah nowadays you can learn anything on internet. Cool time to be alive
Fantastic results with the t3i, still one of the best affordable cameras for beginners!
What you just showed us is what I'm going to attempt in a few nights but with the 50mm, no mod, no filter. Great video! Had a retro, "back to the basics" feel to it. Cheers!
Just awesome! I've been thinking about getting an older camera just for this! Glad you just showed me that it will work! Thanks again!! And clear skies!
The edit at 9:42 is pretty cool. Very cinematic with the music chosen. I like your video editing
style overall. Are you using Premiere Pro? That's what I use. Cheers from Kitchener, Ontario - a fellow astrophotographer!
Love the outro man.
All these people hating on the fact that he uses other equipment that is more expensive than the camera. I think the main point was that you can shoot Astro with a cheap DSLR. You don't need an $1800+ camera BODY to do the job. Ofc there's still other equipment you need to buy, photography itself isn't cheap.
What the hell am I supposed to do with the cheap camera if I don't have the rest of the gear?
@@jpm_drums Astrophotography itself is expensive, but you can cut a but of costs by using a cheaper DSLR. The point is that cheap dslrs are still an adequate base for most rigs
Great video, great tutorial, and an amazing example of what can be done on a budget. Am impressed at the great results you get from the Star Adventurer.
Wow makes your heart pound seeing all that space above, so humbling to know there's so much we can see but yet know nothing about
Finally, a clear night in South western Ontario!
Money aside, it took knowledge, dedication and passion to get this photos yourselve. Impressive!
It's as easy as looking up the weather.
Thanks for this helpful video for a beginner astrophotography setup! Yes, there are the additional costs for the other necessary items, but those costs are a one time purchase and can be used over and over for other projects and uses too. I may look into this further since I have and older Canon DSLR that I could convert. Thanks again and wish you clear skies!
Wish all videos were this in depth told. I'm very new to the stuff and by far I found this the best of explaining stuff. Thank you so much
B R I L L I A N T, thank you for sharing the “HOW TO” even though it works out to cost a little more I think it’s worth it considering my Panasonic GH5 cost me $2,300 AUD. I have a canon 200 SL2 that is a start. I am keen to take photos of the Milky-Way & stars and looking into what I need - Your video has helped point me in the right direction 👍🏻 I really like how you edited this video together. New subscriber here. Cheers from Outback country Wild Western Australia 📸👍🏻
Also,youtube tutorials on removing the IR cut filter typically show a replacement film being inserted (to maintain focus distance). Is this film only for autofocus? For a modified body dedicated to astro, is a replacement film required? HELP
Depends on your lens; On some lenses, you won't be able to reach infinite focus without a replacement, beacause a piece of glass like a filter will alter the length of the optical path by ~1/3 of its thickness. This is of course vital if you want to do astrophotography; I modified my Nikon d3200 without replacement, on my Samyang 24mm I can't reach infinite focus anymore, but on my Sigma 50-150 I can, it all depends on where the lens manufacturer puts the stop for focusing. On an astronomical telescope this usually isn't an Issue because you tend to have loads of focuser travel.
Amazing! As a super shiny new astrophotographer this is the setup i'm going to be trying out! Can't wait!
Such a great video! I love the Horse head with Orion shot. You sure make it look easy. Thank you so much for your videos. We love them😎
Was excited about this then I saw the price of the filter. 😂😂😂
Please stop calling my T3i an "older cheap" camera. I love that thing. It's served me well and still serves me well!
I know! I use mine practically every day. Mine has been in the rain on bike trips, in the snow, out on 100° days, and on 10° nights, and unfortunately it's hit the ground a few times. I honestly don't know how many times it's hit the 9999 counter mark and started over again, but it's been a few. It's been a workhorse.
Remember, it's all about perspective. To this guy, it is an "older, cheap camera". To those of us still with our T3i/600D's.. it's the best camera we have. They have held their value well though, they(the T3i/600D) were $650 in Australia for the body, when new.
Doesn’t mean it’s not older. “Cheap” is relative, but it is cheapER.
No, its older and cheaper. Its not old and cheap, just older and cheaper.
it is an older cheap camera but it doesn’t mean that it’s trash
Thank you Trevor, this is an awesome video :). Hope to get to see you again at NEAF this year.
That's a better image than I thought you were going to get. I'll be getting my first telescope and mount here in a few weeks, and the horsehead nebula is one of those deep sky objects I'm looking forward to capturing, because its so beautiful. Great job in getting it with get a T3i.
The real magic Happens with the filter, lens and star tracker and good post processing everything which is not "cheap"
I would like to see how you do your post processing on an image like this.
Lol I second that, plus I’m pretty sure the reddish color is rendered
Thank you so much for all your videos. I am just beginning astrophotography, and this was sooooooooo helpful.
Love to see you not only using the high end stuff BTW great picture!
Hey, I have an old rebel XT in the vault and am interested in modifying it manually. Would you be able to link some RUclips videos or tutorials on how to do it?
Just search RUclips for "modify canon dslr for astrophotography". I used AstroMod Canada to do mine....I'd have a pile of leftover parts if I tried it myself :)
not for the feint hearted but doable if you proceed carefully. It will also pay to research deeper into such mods as not all are equal. where you live may also play a part. Trevor has that ice bucket called Canada to cool his cameras and he chose a relatively large and bright target. you will not get comparable results in hot climates and dimmer smaller targets.
Great video, love how encouraging this option for entry level Astrophotographers.
AWESOME, it may not, as you say, be “award winning” but I am impressed ... thank you for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻
So excited!!! I ordered this lens with a canon rebel xsi, and the adventurer gti. Can't wait to continue my journey
Modified camera, filter and star tracker... Things that you missed in your clickbate title....
it's just a title and technically it's not incorrect. Astrophotography is not a cheap hobby. You can still take some pretty nice pictures under 100$ with a smartphone(that most already have) and a pair of binoculars
@@dot6102 who has binoculars?
*clickbait
I think he explained it pretty well. And everyone who wants to take deep sky pictures needs a star tracker. That is a given. No clickbate at all.
Did you watch? You can modify the camera yourself and the filter he used, you don't necessarily need. You don't need a star tracker either, only patience and the willingness to move the camera manually. It will mean shorter exposures and possibly a higher iso. It can be done, however!
Any chance you can do a setup tutorial on the "Star tracker" Adenturer from beginning to end?
there are hundreds of them online. search "star tracker polar align" or more specifically to that model, "star adventurer polar align". You'll find many of them out there.
Awesome video Trevor. Real glad to see more DSLR tutorials.
Inspiring. i use that tracker and love it for starters, but have a Celestron AVX arriving and can't wait to have the goto help to find objects to photograph.
Nothing like the good old days of hyper-sensitizing the film to ASA 3200. Much easier, Great info and vid.
“In the city” lol
IKR! ahaha he lives like in the middle of the woods
Stay away antifa 😀
@@unbroken1010 😄
Sir, I am soon going to be plunging back into stargazing/astrophotography. I admit I am a total amateur at what I will be attempting to do, I would need a lifetime of experience probably to even get close to your level on your worst days!!! Thank you SOOOOO much for the great videos and explanations. I hope I can at least capture half decent images!! THANK YOU for what you do!
Back to your roots! Great stuff dude
2 seconds in and I can see already that tripod/tracker right there plus everything you are mentioning is a good few thousand $$$
300€ Samyang, 150€ Cam, 100€ filter, 60€ clear glass, 300€ Tracker, 100€ rest. 1k and youre good to go.
@@M-Mir what's the filter and what is the "clear glass" you said?
My first DSLR was a T3i. I gave it to my daughter and I bought an 80D. Then I sold my 80D for a 90D
90D is a absolute beast. I brought it recently too
Schardt Cinematic Productions I’d love to see how it does Milkyway photography
@@83jbbentley I've never actually had the chance to do milky way or a starry night sky with any of my DSLRs but someday I hope too. I also own a 5D mark III full frame as well.
@@83jbbentley I actually did with my old 750D and it managed some sick shots so my best guess is 90D definitely gonna be better
That‘s incredible. Your video will genuinely make me look up at the night sky differently. I‘m wondering now about all that I can see if I could only not blink for an hour
Another great video! Your channel is what gave me the courage to take the plunge into deep sky astrophotography. Since this isn’t a goto mount, I was hoping you’d show the steps from polar alignment to locating dso manually. Regardless, grateful for your videos!
Man its been cloudy for about 2 months where i live, to bad i cant use my telescope.
Same for me. About 3 good days this month in the NE of the USA by me and I had work early each morning. Only a couple of hours all month that I have had anything but binocular viewing.
We have the same. Have'nt seen the stars for 2-3 months.
Torbjørn Gustafson It really stinks, I recently just invested in a quite large telescope amd i havent been able to use it any more than 5 times
i really recommend you guys watching astrobiscuit, he did it under 100, tripod binocular and a phone
When I was at University doing a fine art painting course i got interested in landscape photography along with the painting. I asked the most qualified photography tutor there what was the best kit. He said all you need is a cheap Canon or Nikon, recommended a Canon 1100D or 600D and to use a prime lens whenever possible. He told me that's all I'll ever need, it's much more about knowing what you're doing and being in the right place at the right time than expensive equipment.
That was amazing! Great patience pays off!
WOOOW man incredible
plz music @ 9:42 plz help
I use shazam to find out. Suite Gothique in C minor: IV toccata.
@@kanedafx1 it not the same :((
"ordinary backyard" "city", and that shows up! :O
Man it looks really cold up there. That's a great video for new people. Well done.
Nice image! Great choice for the light weight when it is so cold!
"The key to being able to take awesome photos with a cheap camera is to pay excessively for everything else" oO
If you're looking for a cheap hobby astrophotography isn't it. The set up he is using is still cheap in regards to other astrophotography options. He has telescopes that cost more than this entire rig
@@lw3609 I've taken half decent photos on my phone. You just need to go to the right place and have patience.
@@bskdopeboy and your photos will be significantly worse quality that what this rig which is a beginner rig could produce. theres mounts that cost more than the entire set up in this video hence why i said it isnt a cheap hobby
@@lw3609 The point is this video is meant to be teaching you how to take decent photos on a CHEAP DSLR AND LENS. Fuck me...
@@bskdopeboy which you can do with the camera he shows you don't need to get a dedicated astronomy camera or a astro DSLR. However if you want to take pictures of DSO the rig he showed is a beginner rig
What's the music at 9:42 please ? Cool video also :)
The sound design on this video is amazing!
The star tracker is the most important accessory. Most people think it's the camera but lens and accessories and most importantly a person that knows what they are doing. Great video.
I just go to the hubble website and right click on their images that can then be saved on a memory card. Cost to me = $0.00.
Anyone else here want to be an astronomer when they're older? I know I do
loser
Define 'older'.
I'm only 46 years old. I wont be getting older for another 10 years or so. I think I want to start right away
I am older
Lol
Astronomy is great fun just dont ever expect to get paid for it.
I didnt realize you could see a nebula with a 135mm lens. I figured something longer would be required. this is inspiring!
Lots of nebula visible with unaided eye.
M42
M17
M22
North American nebula
I even saw M27 from Utah high desert!
Great video! I have a T3i from 2012 and really enjoy it. I did a ton of time exposures back in the days of EOS film cameras and the T3i flip out screen was such a benifit over fixed screens such as my studio's 5D. As far as I was concerned, givin a choice, I would always go for the t3i. Unless I needed to put on a professional appearence - then I would go 5D. If it was good enough for Phil Tippett to use for stop motion I figure it's good enough for me. ;-)
“Take amazing images with a camera under $200”
*uses $400 dslr star tracker*
We'll be doing this handheld with an iPhone soon. LOL
Shop around $400 IS cheap for a computerized mount. You only said the camera was cheap anyway. I'm wondering if people try to drill holes in the camera for cooling tubes or the like?
"with this cheap $200 DSLR plus $2000 worth of accesories you can get pics like these lol so cheap anyone can do it"
this guy tho 😂😂😂
Great! And what would the picture look like if the camera were not modified?
I love how these pictures are all taken like just around the corner from me
_AstroBackyard_ : 1:05 I gonna prove to you that from an ordinary backyard in a city you can get astonishing results
_Light pollution_ : *I'm about to end this man's whole career*
when you use a t2i as your primary camera...
Thanks for sharing Trevor, excellent content.
Beautiful end result, thanks for the video.
Who's getting fed up with all these RUclipsrs pulling ridiculous faces on their thumbnails?
This guy doesn't care about science, he just want to be famous... If it was just the thumbnail.
Great video! I’ll look into the gear mentioned. Question when people refer to 5 hour exposures or 6 hours. Is that just multiple 30 second shots stacked?
I am totally new to astrophotography and your videos have been tremendously helpful. after watching a number of your vids on deep sky photography I got the Idea to mount my DSLR with a telephoto lens directly on my AVX mount so I could have a 'faster' telescope than the C8, just to see what happens. ( I have a yt vid on making the mounting shoe with the resulting pix) the results (for me) were really amazing.. and I can see now how this can be a very addictive hobby! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion.
Nice video as usual Trevor. I couldn’t agree more on your point about the articulated display on the T3i and higher. I started shooting with a T1i which doesn’t have the articulated display and it was like a contortionist act sometimes trying to frame and focus. I recently got a T6i and the articulated display is worth the price of the newer camera, really useful for an older guy who has a hard time crawling on the ground in the snow to focus.
Great video, that's roughly the setup I started with as well, a different lens and no dew heater, so I had to wipe the dew from my lens every few shots haha
Thanks for doing this video. I've been wanting to get into tracker astro photography for a while, but the cost is high. I've already got a Nikon D5600, so I'm going to get a lens like you mention, and the Omegon Mini Track mount, and see how it goes.
Nice back to basics video. I still can't believe what's possible from my backyard. Also congratulations on being a keynoter at Dylan's Star Stuff III extravaganza. That's quite a feather in your cap and very well deserved.
This is the video I have been waiting for.
I have the canon 650 (rebel t4i) and am saving up for this type of set up.
I know that it is not just the camera or the lens bit also the after processing and am going to be on a steep learning curve.
I really love the video and will use it as a guide.
Killer images!!! THANK YOU AstroBackyard!!!
Hi, I was curious if this camera works with a RedCat. I'm a beginner and am interested in that configuration. Thanks
the t3i is a great camera - I've been using mine for a very long time for wildlife photography (and proper lens). Yes. I've even gotten some photos of Saturn, and Jupiter with it's Galilean moons. Rough, but you can make out the cloud patterns on Jupilter - No tracker, just a lot pf patience and a heavy tripod. Wish I had a tracker, though!
I'd be in heaven at -17°C! Last time I was out, it was -18°C but horribly windy. The time before that, it was -32°C and calm. It was cold, but layers are the answer!
Nice image, by the way. I'm very impressed! Great channel you got here, Trevor.
Nice image! Even M78 is in it on the left bottom corner. I have also the SW Star adventurer, a canon dslr (aps-c) and a Samyang 85mm. I can't wait to try this target myself. Unfortunately, the weather here in Belgium is bad at the moment. Keep up the good work, Trevor! Clear skies! 👍😃🌌📷🔭
If watched this video a several of times over the past couple of months. It is a good video that explains the real basics of requirements necessary to enjoy the astrophotography hobby. It has made a real impression on my thought process of what route I want to take.
Here are a few things I've tried to keep in mind before making any decisions.
- is this really something I think I'll enjoy over many years or simply tinker with occasionally.
- Do I have the disposable income to support a hobby that constantly requires fairly expensive upgrades.
- Am I capable / willing to go through a fairly complicated setup routine every time I want to shoot.
- how much is my time versus money worth? (mistakes, experiment, trial & error versus enjoyment and results).
I think it's fair to say, no matter what route any entry level astrophotographer is going to take, this hobby is going to wind up expensive - if one decides to stick with it.
I've watched allot of astrophotography videos that illustrates how one can start small and then take a methodical upgrade path or bypass some of the constant upgrades that are inevitable and begin with fairly expensive equipment to start.
I think what many contemplate is not the actual costs involved but how much satisfaction is achieved. Money doesn't buy happiness. On the other hand, wasted money is dissatisfying.
I think it's fair to say, a good setup is going to cost 6 / 10 grand. (USD / CAD). Keep in mind, I'm looking at pricing from a complete rookie perspective, an individual that has no contacts or experience where to buy high quality equipment and competitive prices.
Based on the research I've done, if you take the plunge and buy a factory Canon or Nikon body specially designed for astrophotography at the beginning and all the lenses, filters, star tracker, tripod, software and plethora of accessories, the figures I've quoted are reasonably accurate.
That's big money. It will last for years and reduce the level of frustration depending on one's patience. It will also save a lot of time.
I attempted to map out how much one would spend spend by doing it piecemeal and upgrade over time. After observing what other hobbyist have done and explained to me, it adds up in a hurry and could exceed the costs of investing in high quality equipment up front by as much as 30 to 40 percent.
It depends on what options are available, skill level to modify equipment, be on the constant lookout for used equipment and accessories and prepare for several duds along the way.
There are some very low cost paths that can definitely be cheaper by as much as 50% than new premium equipment. But it also depends on how manual and intense one is willing to participate in setup and configuration knowledge. There is so much to learn and understanding limitations. This is an important part of my decision process. Might not be for you.
There is also a convergence underway depending on who you trust; how good are newer integration options for telescope / digital photography product? It seems to me, options including all the latest software, tracking and advanced imagery techniques are becoming available at lower and lower cost points every year.
Just a year ago, a $4,500 astrophotography specific camera body attached to a $3,000, 8" telescope with all the required tracking gear is now 10% cheaper. Prices continue to slowly decline. What will the prices be in 2021 and beyond?
Is it realistic that the same performance will be available for $5,000? I don't know. But there are indications this is likely. Do I spend $1,500 to $2,000 to start, knowing these products will become available?
I'm pretty sure I have decided to take the long road because part of the fun (for me anyway) will be making a zillion mistakes, knowing it is initially cheaper to take the plunge, but more expensive in the long run. This is based on allot of tech experience.
Just like personal computers and smartphones. For fun, I added up what I've spent over the past 40+ years on computer desktop, laptops, monitors and smartphones. Gulp, $30,000!
I still have every camera and lens I've owned except one that I had to sell over that same time frame. $9,000 (CAD). My first Canon EOS 650, was a state of the art consumer class camera in 1988. With 2 lenses, $1,900 bucks back in the day. Makes you think when a "cheap" Canon T3 that's 100 times better starts at less than $500 with 2 high quality lenses. And now they are less than $200 used.
What this video reinforces to me is the fact, good astrophotography can be accomplished by a reasonable cost. If you become addicted, then take the plunge and spend a whack load of money and become lazy. If you get bored, then you've saved about 4 to 7 grand and still had some satisfaction. Time to scour the for sale ads for a cheap SLR body to mod and find a decent lens, tracker...
I really enjoyed watching this video.
All these added Lenes, Filters and etc. can be expensive.. but your photos are so beautifully breathtaking.😘💕Thank you for sharing another way of capturing our skies without a telescope.📷
So good that you have cold weather~
Thanks much for the information! I'm sure that adding lenses, etc., drives things up but to know that I don't have to buy a new DSLR (I have none currently) for hundreds more is helpful!
I think I like the far away image better than some of the more close ups. Brilliant man, just effing awesome!!!
thanks for the tutorial, really encouraging. I have a canon T7i, I don't want to remove the filter, so does it mean I wont be able to get the colors your pictures have? could I add a filter to compensate for that?
Hey Trevor, I just want to take the time to thank you for the great content, knowledge and the experience you share with us... I’m new to astrophotography, I recently bought my first starguider pro and a redcat 51 ( your fault 😬) and I was wondering if you can point me in the right direction... I have a Nikon z6, as far as filters for my Nikon what do you recommend? Or should I just get the ones you use for your redcat 51 instead? In advance I appreciate your time and thanks for your videos