Telescopes

You can do a lot of different things with a telescope and a camera, depending on the size of your scope, your mount, and the type of camera you are using.

The Moon
We can see the Moon any night, and it’s the closest object to earth, yet it’s endlessly fascinating to look at through a telescope. No matter what telescope or camera you have, you will get awesome photos of the Moon. Because it is so nearby and bright, you won’t need a long exposure or any special equipment other than a telescope camera or an adaptor for your regular digital camera.

The Planets
Although the planets in our solar system are bright, they’re still pretty far away and require more magnification to see clearly. And more magnification means a dimmer image. You will probably need a longer exposure time to photograph the planets well, which means you may want a telescope with an EQ mount and motor drive. That way the telescope will automatically follow the planet’s path across the sky while your camera is taking the picture.

Deep Space
Photos of deep space objects require the longest exposure time--usually a few minutes. You will definitely need an EQ mount with star-tracking motor drive to get a good image. You don’t, however, necessarily need a gigantic telescope--you can use a smaller scope that has a fast focal ratio (f/4-f/5).

• Telescope Camera Packages - We've got everything you need to become an Astrophotography pro!

Digital USB Cameras

Digital USB Cameras are extremely easy to use. Simply take out your telescope’s eyepiece, replace it with the camera and connect that directly to your computer with a USB cable. Then, presto! You’re ready to start recording images and video. There are only a few more things you need to know. First, be sure the camera is compatible with the diameter of the eyepiece on your telescope. 1.25” is the standard size for nearly every telescope and USB camera. Second, if you want to print your photographs, you’ll want a camera that is 3.0 MP or higher. The higher the MP, the higher the image resolution.

• Digital USB Cameras for your Telescope- Remember, more Megapixels mean clearer images!

SLR Camera Adapters

If you already have an SLR camera, you can get an adapter to hook it up to your telescope’s eyepiece. All you have to do is replace your camera’s lens with the adapter--a quick and easy way to turn equipment you already own into an astrophotography setup. And you’ll get tons of great pics without having to buy a camera that can be used only with your telescope.

• Digital USB Cameras for your Telescope- Have an SLR or DSLR camera? Use one of these adapters for a direct telescope connection.