How to Get Started With
Astro Photography
There is sometimes a myth that to do astrophotography you need to invest in expensive cameras, lenses, and telescopes.
That is a myth.
Yes, there is always room for that as you become more proficient in your field but you do not need to break the bank to get a decent photo of our home galaxy the Milky Way, or even distant nebulae or galaxies. Here, I am going to discuss ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY BASICS as I encourage you all to look up at the stars and enjoy what I feel so passionate about.
Basic Gear Requirements
Any DSLR camera of any brand that you like
meaning usually any lens that comes with a DSLR camera package. Such as an 18-55mm lens will be enough to start with.
refers to the “field of view”. A wide-angle lens of at least 14mm would be a great starting point for wide-field photography to capture a wide section of the Milky Way or the night sky with sufficient foreground. Samyang or Rokinon sells great quality 14mm lenses at a very affordable price. The higher the focal length, the field of view gets smaller or “zoomed”.
What this means is that a lens that has a wide aperture of f-stop. In photography, f-stop refers to the aperture or the opening of the lens through which light passes to hit the sensor. Astrophotography, as the name implies, is photography that is done in low-level light. So that means, the aperture of the lens has to be wide enough to let adequate light hit the sensor. The f-stop number is an inverse relationship. That means that the lower the f-stop, the wider the aperture, and hence a “fast” lens.
You don’t want to have the camera move or have it handheld during astrophotography
A remote or wired remote shutter release to minimize even the shake of the camera while depressing the shutter button on the camera body
A camera bag to carry all your stuff
That’s all you need!
To start with, of course. No need to plunk down thousands of dollars on expensive camera systems as you craft your skills. Learn to love the hobby and curate it before you elevate your game to the next level. I hope you enjoy shooting the night sky as much as I love doing it and I’d love to teach you more. Please connect with me via social media or by simply filling out the CONTACT ME page. Until then, clear skies!!