Reviews

A basic deep-sky astrophotography equipment setup typically includes an equatorial tracking mount, a camera, and a telescope or lens. Additional accessories may be added to improve tracking (autoguiding) and automate the imaging session throughout the night.

On this website, I provide reviews based on my experiences with the different pieces of equipment and gear I use so you can make informed decisions about what might work best for you. 

I have reviewed many astrophotography telescopes over the years, and even a few visual observing instruments as well. One of the most common questions I get is ‘what’s the best beginner telescope?’, and my answer is always an 8″ Dobsonian telescope.

astrophotography telescope

My astrophotography telescope in 2023 on a ZWO AM5 mount.

Askar SQA106 Telescope Review

Askar SQA106 Telescope Review

If you’re in the market for a high-performance astrograph with full-frame capabilities and a premium build, the Askar SQA106 is definitely worth a closer look. This impressive quintuplet refractor delivers a 509mm focal length at f/4.8 and is designed to produce flat, color-accurate images without the need for additional flatteners or backfocus tinkering. In this…

ZWO ASI2600MM Pro Overview

ZWO ASI2600MM Review

This article was last updated on February 25, 2025. The ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono is the much-anticipated monochrome version of ZWO’s popular ZWO ASI2600MC Pro dedicated astronomy camera. It houses a 26-megapixel Sony IMX571 back-illuminated sensor and some seriously impressive specs. This camera uses a highly sensitive, cooled, monochrome CMOS sensor in the APS-C format. Its…

SVBONY SV555 Review

SVBONY SV555 Review

The SVBONY SV555 is a variable aperture prime focus lens/telescope designed for wide-field astrophotography. Many of you have been requesting a review of an SVBONY telescope for years, and today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this one. The SV555 Petzval lens is an interesting option in the competitive market of wide-field refractor telescopes,…

Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope Review

Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope Review

The Dwarf 3 smart telescope is a compact, ultra-portable device that was designed to make astrophotography easy and fun. While this device is in its third iteration, it is the first DwarfLab product I’ve ever used. It combines a small telescope, an astronomy camera, and a computerized mount to track and photograph objects in space….

Seestar review

ZWO Seestar S50 In Depth Review

The ZWO SeeStar S50 is an all-in-one smart telescope that makes astrophotography easy. While its main goal is to deliver electronically assisted views of objects in space, the pictures it takes are pretty darn good. If you thought smart telescopes were just “expensive toys,” you’d be surprised to see some of the incredible deep-sky images…

Askar SQA55 Review

Askar SQA55 Full Review

Key Takeaways The Askar SQA55 uses high-quality optics to produce astrophotography images that are sharp, flat, and well-corrected. It features an innovative design with a variable aperture, similar to a camera lens with a manual focus ring. The small aperture (55mm) and short focal length (264mm) mean it is unsuitable for planetary imaging or photographing…

ASI2600MC Air Camera

The ZWO ASI2600MC Air Made My Life Easier: Here’s How

Key Takeaways The ASI2600MC Air is a 3-in-1′ smart camera’ that combines a dedicated astronomy camera with a guide camera and a WiFi controller that runs on the ASIAIR mobile app. The design dramatically reduces the amount of cables and accessories needed to run a complete deep-sky astrophotography imaging session. Critiques dislike that this ‘niche…

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strain Wave Mount Review

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strain Wave Mount Review

The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i strain wave mount is the latest equatorial tracking telescope mount from a brand known for its reliable astrophotography mounts. For the first time in Sky-Watcher’s history, this mount doesn’t require a counterweight.  Strain wave gear telescope mounts are designed to be compact, portable, and lightweight. In fact, the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i…

AstroBin Review

Why You Should Be on AstroBin

AstroBin is an incredible resource for astrophotographers, and I’m still convinced there are a few people who have still not joined the fun. It’s an image-hosting platform and social network for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers that includes groups, forums, and an advanced search.  Whether you use the website for file storage, planning your next project,…