Starting Astrophotography? Here’s What I’d Do:

Getting Started in Astrophotography?

In this video, I share my recommendations to set yourself up for success.

In this video, I cover the following topics:

• Know what you are getting into
• What experience do you need? What is an asset?
• What equipment do you actually need?
• How long will it take to produce a “nice” image?
• How much will it all cost?
• What Gear should I invest my hard-earned money in?
• Where should I go for help/advice?

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Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

[tessabrowning]

Thank you so much for your time in putting this together, as well as your insight and passion for astrophotography!

[DRPowell]

I know I'm in the right place when the dog sneaks into the shot and you don't care!

[graphguy]

This video is exactly what the person who loves astrophotography but has never been brave enough to make the jump from just dreamer to a doer, thanks!

[forte]

This might be some kind of rabbit hole for a dedicated person.

[tillsy]

I'm just getting started again at age 40, I used to have a 6" newtonian when I was in my teens and obsessed over it for years, I took a solid 20 years off as life happened, I then bought a used neq6 mount and a 10" skywatcher newtonian and immediately found myself in over my head so sold it off, now I'm just going back to basics with a 12" collapsible dobsonian and maybe a star adventurer and small refractor like you mentioned, it feels good to be back with many memories flooding back

[stuckels]

Just wanted to leave a big thank you. You've been very helpful for me in deciding on my first telescope. I've watched a lot of your informational videos over the past month or two and just want to say that there's nobody else out there that has been as helpful as you. To the point where if I have a question, I just come to your channel lol.

I decided on getting the Orion ED80T Triplet APO refractor, with the Orion Sirius EQ-G mount and a guidescope/camera.

I have very little experience so I'm expecting it to take a while before I get the hang of it, but I'm hoping I won't have to upgrade anything anytime soon.

Thank you again. You've been so helpful!

[traviswetherbee]

Love it, been using a Canon t6i with a rokinon 14mm. This year I purchased a Sky Watcher Star Tracker and have been amazed at what I am able to photograph! Love this channel!

[BennyColyn]

Trevor, what you said isn't wrong, but it mostly applies to people like perhaps yourself that come from a photography background getting into AP. For people like myself coming from a (visual) amateur astronomy background, I've found it easier to get started with lunar and planetary photography. Visual astronomers already have (sometimes big) telescopes and are not afraid to collimate them, but they are often on Alt-Az or even non-tracking mounts (Dobsonians) with medium-to-long focal lengths. On top of that, it is extremely unlikely they have a DSLR or even a camera outside their phone. A cheap ZWO planetary camera mounted on top of their existing scope can quickly and cheaply yield nice shots of the moon and with some practice Saturn Jupiter and Mars. In time they can move on to an equatorial mount, re-mounting their OTA and/or buying an APO, and the "planetary" camera will usually do nicely until they upgrade to a cooled camera.

[poprip]

I love that you take the time to create videos for beginners because it's a little overwhelming for us to understand all that is required to start from scratch when watching recent videos. I am semi pro at photography, pro with photoshop but don't know a thing about telescopes and very little about astronomy. But I am obsessed with taking photos of the sky. I bought a Rokinon 12mm f2.0 for my micro four third camera and was surprised to see andromeda on my photos! I am hooked now! So thank you so much, I will read your "get started" link with GREAT interest.

[chrishogan]

Trevor, I can not thank you enough for the time and effort that you have put into your videos. There are a lot of content providers out there to chose from but your simplistic approach, wealth of information, clarity and very personable approach, makes you my first (and almost exclusive) choice at this point. You have rescued me from Astro-photographic purgatory and I can not thank you enough, for it. I look forward to your continued guidance and inspiration. With them, I am sure I will be exceeding my own expectations very soon. Your passion is fueling my own.

[realmcerono]

Trevor I just love your style. There are so many AP people out there just looking for technical perfection, most expensive gear etc. and you always remind me what does matter most: just have fun with the greatest of all hobbies!

[Rogelio_]

The dog lol!!!! Adorable. Great vid, thanks!

[masterstacker]

Thanks for the useful videos. I just ordered a Celestron 6" with an equatorial go to mount an I'm really excited. Want to get into Atrophotography too. One step at a time.

[robertbennett]

Trevor I am ONLY just now starting my journey into astronomy and EAA!!! Your one of my main youtube heroes on how to do this!! I have picked up many tips and tricks from you and LOVE your videos and channel!!

[zuperblue]

WOW BLOWN AWAY Trevor. i switched from nikon d5200,
to canon 600d and the transformation is WOW the colours are magicaly transformed

[MartinLeeney]

Hi, thanks for the real effort you've put in to your tutorials, finally I'm getting results. But the mount, scope and camera were major factors. Now I have the right gear it's much easier. Don't stop teaching us please..

[andyroo]

I will need as much help as I can get. I do have great patience, with no expectation for immediate success. Your videos offer sound advice. Your deep space photos are beautiful.

[yhcetgl]

Very much appreciate the effort you put into these videos as well as the equipment recommendations. As a beginner starting out in astrophotography, there is a lot to learn and the information that you present in such a clear and understandable way is a real commitment to the community. I'm absolutely commited to this hobby and look forward to being able to contribute back in the future.

[ikennaokoye]

Didn't understand a word of what he said, but im excited to get started!

[dougmcmillan]

I found a used LXD75 online, guy who sold it to me showed me that it moved etc.. I went out to use it and found out the chip in the hand held unit was ruined and had to spend the cash on a used unit, it added a fair amount to the cost. It was after that when I found your channel and it's been a great resource for information and reviews. Just wanted to say thank you for all you're doing for the folks just making their way into this challenging but rewarding hobby