I've just ordered a star tracker

[jstefely]

I have found Peter Zelinka's site and youtube channel to be useful

Peter Zelinka Photography

Peter Zelinka is a nomadic nature photographer and instructor who specializes in astrophotography.

www.peterzelinka.com

Peter Zelinka

My goal is to help the average person learn more about astrophotography, without making it overly complicated. We'll cover Milky Way, Star Trails, and Deep Space. Along the way we'll use some different gear, depending on your budget, all with the main idea - "make life easier".

www.youtube.com

 

[TurtleCat]

I have found Peter Zelinka's site and youtube channel to be useful

Peter Zelinka Photography

Peter Zelinka is a nomadic nature photographer and instructor who specializes in astrophotography.

www.peterzelinka.com

Peter Zelinka

My goal is to help the average person learn more about astrophotography, without making it overly complicated. We'll cover Milky Way, Star Trails, and Deep Space. Along the way we'll use some different gear, depending on your budget, all with the main idea - "make life easier".

www.youtube.com

Yeah, Peter Zelinka is a good resource.

 

[Anjin San]

Lots of suggestions but one I like for setting up the Nomad is

Ref. finding the pole star. If you get the PS Align Pro app for your phone (costs a few dollars) then this gets you very close to the pole star.

Or…look north at elevation equal to latitude and you’re there.

 

[VinnyH]

I'm thinking 180 might not provide much of the sky

I was thinking more of nebulla type shots. Orion has always intrigued me.
Thanks,
Vinny

 

[VinnyH]

I wouldn't. My general guideline is don't push past 50%. Especially cheaper trackers, the error rate will shoot way up at long focal lengths and heavier gear sets.

I had a feeling there was a caveat to their max weights. I have heard to not push it from Youtube videos I've watched. They do make some, more expensive, tracking systems that go beyond 11lb capacities.
Thanks,
Vinny

 

[ssheipel]

I am big on this software, be sure to check it out. I owned that gizmo you bought, but I prefer to simply set up on tripod and do timed photos.

Stellarium Astronomy Software

Stellarium is a planetarium software that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars. It's easy to use, and free.

stellarium.org

Thanks Charles.

 

[ssheipel]

My first year or two I tried short, 20-30 second exposures (500 rule) with the F 14-24. They were OK, just not what I was looking for. So I caved, bought the IOptron Skyguider Pro (I had a few hundred dollars in Amazon gift cards because of a work rewards program, so I got it for almost nothing). I opted for that startracker since it has a counterweight, so a heavier payload (11 pounds). As I'm using a Z9 and now the Z 14-24, that payload is very welcome.

The nice thing with the tracker is you're not shackled by the 500 rule...the downside is a bit more post-processing. And don't forget to turn the tracker off and get stationary images, so you can blend a stationary foreground with the tracked stars.

And @Nimi, I'm jealous you're so close to a dark sky area! I have to drive at least 3-4 hours to get truly dark skies. This one is from one of the lakes in Superior National Forest, in Minnesota. Probably my best Milky Way photo to date.

View attachment 96221

Cool shot. Thanks for the advice; much appreciated. And I'm with you on the jealousy of Nimi's proximity to a shooting location. I too am looking at a couple hours drive, at least.

 

[ssheipel]

Lots of suggestions but one I like for setting up the Nomad is

Ref. finding the pole star. If you get the PS Align Pro app for your phone (costs a few dollars) then this gets you very close to the pole star.

Thanks.

 

[ssheipel]

I was thinking more of nebulla type shots. Orion has always intrigued me.
Thanks,
Vinny

Yah, I wasn't thinking of that... yet!

 

[ssheipel]

I have found Peter Zelinka's site and youtube channel to be useful

Peter Zelinka Photography

Peter Zelinka is a nomadic nature photographer and instructor who specializes in astrophotography.

www.peterzelinka.com

Peter Zelinka

My goal is to help the average person learn more about astrophotography, without making it overly complicated. We'll cover Milky Way, Star Trails, and Deep Space. Along the way we'll use some different gear, depending on your budget, all with the main idea - "make life easier".

www.youtube.com

Thank you!

 

[sh1209]

Yah the smarter approach for me might have been to give it some work without the tracker, first, but I got a (small) discount code and went for it

Really curious to hear your thoughts later and you'll most likely make my wallet smaller lol

 

[KP Birder]

Check out Richard Tatti on youtube and his website. Everything you need will be there.

Nightscape Images

NIGHTSCAPE IMAGES - CREATIVE AND UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

www.nightscapeimages.com.au

Nightscape Images

My name is Richard Tatti and my passion is Landscape Astrophotography, and more specifically creating awe inspiring Nightscape Images. I've spent many years photographing the stars and perfecting the craft of light painting and blending of images. If you're passionate about shooting the milky...

www.youtube.com

I second the recommendation of Nightscape Images videos (Richard Tatti). I have learned a lot from them, and he is very clear and straightforward in his instruction. I have the older MSM rotator and it works fairly well, and the Z 20mm/1.8 is stellar! (pun intended!) Maybe we should start a thread for astrophotography on here, if there isn’t one already.

 

[ssheipel]

I second the recommendation of Nightscape Images videos (Richard Tatti). I have learned a lot from them, and he is very clear and straightforward in his instruction. I have the older MSM rotator and it works fairly well, and the Z 20mm/1.8 is stellar! (pun intended!) Maybe we should start a thread for astrophotography on here, if there isn’t one already.

Thanks. I'm going to avoid buying yet another lens, for the moment until I've taken a few shots star-ward with the 14-24 first

 

[KP Birder]

The 14-24mm is also great. I just did a time-lapse of the Milky Way using it last night. You might also find the ZWO SeeStar S50 smart telescope interesting. I use it for Deep Space Objects.

 

[ssheipel]

The 14-24mm is also great. I just did a time-lapse of the Milky Way using it last night. You might also find the ZWO SeeStar S50 smart telescope interesting. I use it for Deep Space Objects.

Thanks. And I'm not even going to look at the ZWO telescope! Sounds too tempting!

 

[KP Birder]

Thanks. And I'm not even going to look at the ZWO telescope! Sounds too tempting!

It’s not really that expensive, even here in the true north! And folks use them and get good results even in metro T.O.

 

[ssheipel]

It’s not really that expensive, even here in the true north! And folks use them and get good results even in metro T.O.

You're not helping to prevent further spending Thanks, I will have a look.

 

[KP Birder]

You're not helping to prevent further spending Thanks, I will have a look.

I know…sorry for instigating. It’s just that I am having so much fun with both the astrophotography and the Seestar, I want others to as well. You’d catch on to the processing part very quickly, with your photography experience.

 

[ssheipel]

I know…sorry for instigating. It’s just that I am having so much fun with both the astrophotography and the Seestar, I want others to as well. You’d catch on to the processing part very quickly, with your photography experience.

I had a look. That looks interesting; luckily (for my wallet) not really what I'm looking to do. Ultimately I'm interested in getting planet earth foregrounds with the dark sky shots, not the distant objects. Still, I'll be putting the Seestar on my Christmas list

 

[Drew]

I’m fairly sure that Hudson Henry has a course on Astro…and he’s my number 2 go to guy after Steve as he’s primarily a landscape photographer. I’ve thought several times about getting a tracker…but then there is no such thing as light pollution free sky here in SE FL.

Hudson Henry had a recent video on the Move/Shoot/Move tracker, he makes the MSM very enticing.

 

[TurtleCat]

Thanks. And I'm not even going to look at the ZWO telescope! Sounds too tempting!

The ZWO scopes are rebranded Askar scopes The smaller Redcat scopes from Williams Optics would be tempting I personally am using a StellarVue 90mm raptor scope for my deep sky stuff. It’s funny that focal length for photographers correlates to angle of view but for astro it’s all about the lens aperture.

 

[ssheipel]

Hudson Henry had a recent video on the Move/Shoot/Move tracker, he makes the MSM very enticing.

The very video that was the final push for me. And another video by a UK photographer who uses four other trackers and in the end likes the Move Shoot the best in most situations, for its simplicity and portability. And simple I am, so....

 

[ssheipel]

The ZWO scopes are rebranded Askar scopes The smaller Redcat scopes from Williams Optics would be tempting I personally am using a StellarVue 90mm raptor scope for my deep sky stuff. It’s funny that focal length for photographers correlates to angle of view but for astro it’s all about the lens aperture.

Size matters; apparently length or diameter tho depending on your needs

 

[AlanB313]

Here's an interesting take on the Plena for astro.

Using the Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens for astrophotography - Nikon Rumors

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens ($2,496), an astrophotographer’s dream by Dominique Dierick: Intro I have been into astrophotography since 1975 and have probably imaged with hundreds of telescopes and different camera lenses over the years. Camera lens brands included Nikon, Canon...

nikonrumors.com

 

[Dmacfarl]

Might be fun to try my Z8 and 180-600 with it. They total 6.4 lbs. and it says it has a 7.7lb load limit.
Hmmm,
Vinny

I think that might be too tight. I prefer a fast wide angle....