Why I’m Switching to a Mono Astrophotography Camera
A mono astrophotography camera gives backyard imagers in the city the opportunity to collect dynamic narrowband images from home. Although LRGB image acquisition using a filter wheel requires some extra setup time early on, the flexibility of this configuration is appealing. Up to this point, I have not experienced the joys of shooting through a filter wheel. But I have experienced the extraordinary power of a monochrome sensor through narrowband filters. My latest experiences in the backyard have me wondering if I should have switched to a mono astrophotography camera a long time ago...…
Real Results with a Budget Astrophotography Lens
A great astrophotography lens is only as good as the images it produces. Not all camera lenses are created equal, and imaging a night sky full of stars has a way of pushing your photography gear to its limits. On a recent astrophotography session in the backyard, I discovered how enjoyable it can be to squeeze in a brief mid-week session using a camera lens in place of the telescope. For this imaging run, I used the refreshingly simple and affordable Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 lens. The lens was attached to my Canon Rebel T3i DSLR, which rode atop an iOptron SkyTracker camera mount. (Tho…
Pegasus Astro Stepper Motor Kit Review
Astrophotography enthusiasts looking to automate their focusing procedure have a few options. You can either purchase an entirely new focuser kit that includes a motor (such as a MoonLite Focuser) or upgrade your telescope's existing focuser with a stepper motor like the one available from Pegasus Astro. The point of the upgrade or modification is to better control the focus of your telescope, which is especially important for astrophotography. There are many benefits to making this upgrade, but the most important aspect is to produce consistently sharp images with your DSLR or dedica…
