Astro Photography

[JamesTruelove]

Hi All

This is my first post to this forum. I am an amateur astronomer trudging up the steep learning curve of astro photography. I have a Canon EOS 500D DSLR camera (unmodified for astro work) and found this forum and Cambridge in Colour website by searching for more info on how to use my camera better.

I particularly like the Cambridge in Colour website in this regard!

I hope to get better at setting iso, exposure and shutter speed for astro photography and of course not forgetting focuus! Hopefully the Cambridge site tutorials and explanations of camera features will improve my skills. Astro photography is quite a challenging subject and I am trying to always use manual settings on the camera especially long exposures.

Warm Regards
James

[Shadowman]

Hi James,

Welcome to the group, having tried my hand at astrophotography, not always successful; I can relate to your endeavors. Looking forward to seeing your captures.

[JamesTruelove]

Sorry my first attempt at adding an image failed miserably so instead I have added a url of our astronomy group website (I am the webmaster) Hope this is allowed!

http://www.thelocalgroup.org.uk/Gallery/index.php/

Warm Regards
James

[IzzieK]

Welcome to this forum...would be nice to learn from you...particularly landscape astrophotography...

[rtbaum]

I dabbled with astrophotography while on a trip, earlier this month. I wish that I had read this article in advance.
http://www.lonelyspeck.com/photograp...gb-processing/

[Thlayle]

Hello James,

I shoot with a 550D (the T2i where I come from...) and I am an avid fan and photographer of night and astrophotography.

For good shots of the stars, I had to go to something other than my kit lenses. I have been using a Rokinon 14mm, using manual settings entirely (of course since there's no build for this lens that matches my camera) and have been very happy with the results.

Apparently, most lenses are not built for correction of 'coma aberration,' an effect that will leave you with what looks like little flying saucers in the star field, especially around the edges of your frame. The Rokinon lens corrects beautifully for that and is nice & fast (f/2.8).

I think your 500D should be up to the job. I have been getting great shots with the combination of the 550D with the Rokinon 14mm lens.

[Shadowman]

Sorry my first attempt at adding an image failed miserably so instead I have added a url of our astronomy group website (I am the webmaster) Hope this is allowed!

http://www.thelocalgroup.org.uk/Gallery/index.php/

Warm Regards
James

James,

Normally it's easier if posted within the thread but as there are so many the link is fine. Also, we are better able to zoom in on some very fine imagery. Nice captures.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi James,

A warm welcome to the CiC forums from me.

You may find our tag search results for astrophotography helpful to find significant (i.e. tagged) threads relating to this topic.

Do feel free to ask for clarification on anything in the tutorials, or any others questions you have.

All the best, Dave