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.
My astrophotography telescope in 2023 on a ZWO AM5 mount.
The Seestar S30 Plus is a compact, app-controlled smart telescope with a 30mm aperture, four-element apochromatic optics, and 2K imaging through both its deep-sky and wide-angle cameras. At $499 USD, it sits between the original Seestar S30 and S30 Pro, offering beginners another affordable way to start photographing space. My imaging sessions with the S30…
I have spent a lot of time testing the different Seestar models, and the S50 Pro feels like the first one aimed just as much at experienced astrophotographers as at complete beginners. It keeps the approachable, all-in-one experience that made the original Seestar S50 so popular, but adds a much larger 4K imaging sensor, a…
Last updated: June 29, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. The Askar SQA130 is the largest telescope in Askar’s SQA (super quintuplet astrograph) series, and one I was especially excited to test. As a refractor fan, getting to test one with a healthy 130mm…
The ToupTek StellaVita is a control box that can run an entire astrophotography setup from your phone or tablet. It supports a wide range of cameras and accessories, so you’re not locked into a single ecosystem, and that alone makes it one of the more interesting alternatives to systems like the ASIAIR. After…
The ZWO AM7 is the largest and most capable harmonic drive mount in the AM lineup. It’s designed for astrophotographers running heavier telescopes who still want the convenience and portability these compact red mounts are known for. If you’ve been pushing the limits of the AM5, or simply want more room to grow without jumping…
Last updated: February 25, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. After using the Seestar S30 Pro extensively in my backyard for more than a month, I’ve developed a solid feel for what it can and can’t do. Galaxies, Nebulae, the Sun, EQ mode, Timelapses…
Last updated: Oct 15, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. The ZWO ASI585MC Air is a compact, self-contained smart astrophotography camera that replaces the usual laptop, controller, and cable mess with a single, lightweight unit you control from your phone or tablet. This is…
Last updated: July 25, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. Over the past few months, I have been testing the DWARF mini smart telescope from the backyard and at a dark-sky site. This smart telescope is currently the world’s smallest, weighing just 840 grams. …
Last updated: October 23, 2025. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. If you’ve been looking at entry-level refractor telescopes for astrophotography and wondering whether it’s worth stepping up to a triplet APO, the SVBONY SV550 deserves a close look. Available in both 80mm and 122mm…
Sky-Watcher has added a dedicated Hydrogen-alpha (Hα) solar telescope to their lineup, and if you’ve never seen the Sun in H-alpha before, you’re in for a treat. Unlike basic white light filters, H-alpha lets you dive into the details on the surface of our star. Things like solar prominences, active sunspot regions, and plasma filaments…
Last updated: October 23, 2025. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. The Apertura CarbonStar 200 is an 8-inch f/4 Newtonian reflector built with astrophotography in mind. While there are many reflectors available in this size, the CarbonStar 200 stands out with some clever upgrades. I’ve…
Last updated: November 11, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. The ZWO Seestar S30 is a 30mm f/5 all-in-one smart telescope that automatically aligns, tracks, and live-stacks images using a built-in camera and mobile app. It’s a smaller version of the extremely popular Seestar…