The Best Lens for Astrophotography (That You Probably Already Own)
In my opinion, the best astrophotography lens is one that can capture a variety of images of the night sky in a reliable and consistent way. Not all camera lenses are created equal, and imaging a night sky full of pinpoint stars has a way of bringing out the worst (or best) of your lenses capabilities. In the following post, I'll share my experiences using 2 astonishingly affordable camera lenses for astrophotography. I shoot with both full-frame and APS-C sized sensor Canon DSLR's, so the lenses are both made by Canon. The Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 STM, and the Rokinon 14mm F/2.8 wide angle lens…
Pegasus Astro Stepper Motor Kit Review
The Pegasus Astro stepper motor kit is an affordable way give your astrophotography telescope a huge upgrade. Once installed, it allows you to make precision adjustments to your telescope focus without touching the telescope. Achieving (and maintaining) focus is one of the most important aspects of deep sky imaging, which means that this small upgrade can have a profound impact on your astrophotography images. The Pegasus Astro stepper motor kit is easy to install on an imaging refractor telescope, and the included software works as intended right out of the box. For me, the process of inst…
Building a Deep Sky Astrophotography Kit
I am often asked for my opinion on the best route to take when it comes to building a deep sky astrophotography kit for the first time. A popular option for many night sky enthusiasts is to start with a DSLR camera and telescope, and I can understand why. Building an astrophotography setup that revolves around a user-friendly, entry-level DSLR can reap some impressive results. Modern-day hobbyist/beginner digital SLR cameras such as the Canon EOS Rebel T7i or Nikon D3400 provide the least-steep learning curve when it comes to deep sky imaging in a very technical and sometimes overwhelming h…
iOptron CEM60 Equatorial Mount | First Look
The iOptron CEM60 is a center-balanced equatorial mount that provides an excellent platform for astrophotography. This astrophotography mount has created quite a buzz both in terms of design and performance. With the mount itself weighing in at just 27 lbs, this mount can handle a substantial payload deep sky imaging gear of up to 60 lbs. This opens the doors to countless astrophotography telescope configurations. I've been given an opportunity to review the iOptron CEM60 this month, and hope to share my experiences in astrophotography along the way. This a step up from the capabilities a…
William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO Review
The William Optics Zenithstar 61 is a doublet apochromatic refractor telescope that excels in deep-sky DSLR astrophotography. The Z61 is the most portable telescope ever made by William Optics, a company with a reputation for building beautiful astrophotography refractors. In this review, I'll tell you why I think the William Optics Zenithstar 61 is a top contender when it comes to affordable astrophotography telescopes. I'll cover the features and specs of the scope, and share some examples of deep sky images taken using this refractor. [caption id="attachment_7179" align="a…
