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THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB
 

Throughout my journey in astrophotography, there have been numerous changes and significant progress in my setup. It seems there is always something to upgrade and improve upon.

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Now, I want to share with you where I started and where I am currently in my astrophotography journey.

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PORTABLE EQUIPMENT

You're eager to dive into astrophotography and happen to be the proud owner of a DSLR or mirrorless camera?

One excellent first mount to consider is the Skywatcher Star Adventurer or the Vixen Polarie U.

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There actually are multiple reasons why a setup like this is worth considering:

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Do you happen to have a passion for hiking and photography?

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That's fantastic! Opting for a compact mount allows you to capture stunning widefield images of our breathtaking home galaxy, the Milky Way. The entire setup effortlessly fits inside a backpack and can be swiftly assembled. 

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Imagine residing in or near a bustling city with significant light pollution.

In such cases, it's highly advisable to seek out locations with darker skies, like a mountain or nature park far away from the city.

This is particularly important when capturing broadband targets like dark nebulae, reflection nebulae, and galaxies.

  • Vixen Polarie U

  • Astromodified Sony a6300 

  • Samyang 135mm f2.0 ED UMC

  • Sigma 56mm F1,4 DC DN Contemporary

  • Samyang 12mm F2,0

  • 160Wh generic power bank

Furthermore, if you're already involved in astrophotography, a lightweight and portable mount serves as a remarkable addition when traveling.

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BACKYARD IMAGING
 

As soon as you start considering purchasing a real telescope, things can get a little more complex.

The wide range of telescope types, mounts, and cameras available on the market can be overwhelming.

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The most crucial question to ask yourself is: What do you want to photograph?

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STATIONARY EQUIPMENT

For my backyard imaging rig, I have gone through several iterations of different equipment. Initially, I started with a small ED refractor telescope, a mirrorless camera, and an EQ3 level mount. However, over time, I desired better quality and more capabilities.

The component I upgraded most frequently was the mount. I transitioned from EQ3 to AVX, then to a tuned EQ5, and finally, I was able to afford a high-quality mount - the Losmandy G11. To make it fully ASCOM compatible and ready for remote imaging, I installed custom stepper motors on the mount.

Regarding the telescope, I settled on a self-built 8" F4.0 Newtonian reflector, which produces excellent images. Because of the carefully selected mirrors, I plan to use a reducer to achieve an aperture of around F2.9, which will allow for even faster imaging.

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As for cameras, I have experimented with various models such as the ASI294mc pro, ASI071mc pro and ASI2600mc pro. However, I eventually settled on the ASI533mc pro due to it's smaller imaging sensor, which makes it much easier to use. Additionally, this camera provides cleaner data compared to the other models I tried (except for ASI2600mc pro) which has a positive impact on the complexity of image editing.

  • Losmandy G11 with custom stepper motors​

  • 8 inch F4 Newtonian telescope

  • TS-Optics TSGPU

  • AF3 focus motor from deepskydad.com ​​

  • ZWO ASI533mc Pro ​

  • Baader Vario 60mm f4.1 guidescope

  • ZWO ASI178mm guide camera

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