Navigating the Astrophotography Gear Maze: Advice for a Newbie
Hello fellow stargazers!
As a relative newcomer to the incredible world of astronomy and astrophotography, I've hit a point where I'm feeling a bit stuck and could really use some expert advice. My journey began in May this year with the purchase of my first telescope, an Acuter Phoenix 40/400, which I've found to be a fantastic H-alpha scope.
While I primarily enjoy visual observation, I also wanted to capture some of the beauty I witness to share with others and for my own memories. To support this, I acquired a Skywatcher 200/1000 Newtonian telescope paired with an EQ5 mount – a deal I couldn't pass up.
Life, as it often does, has presented its challenges, and balancing nighttime observing with daytime commitments has been a bit of a juggle! Living in a Bortle 7-8 region, my observing sessions so far have focused on the Moon (which I still adore!), Jupiter, Saturn, and the Andromeda Nebula – all of which have been rewarding experiences.
My approach to this hobby is to learn and achieve decent results with accessible equipment before diving into the most expensive gear. My current camera, an old Canon EOS 500D I picked up for a mere 50 Euros, has served me well. Through careful processing, I've managed to extract a lot from my frames. However, I feel I'm reaching the limits of its capabilities and it's time to consider an upgrade.
This brings me to the big question: what should I buy next? Should I opt for a color camera, or would a monochrome camera be a better investment? And importantly, which specific model? My budget is quite constrained, ideally under 300 Euros, but I could stretch to 500 Euros. I'm also hoping for a versatile camera that can handle various targets.
I don't currently have a GoTo mount and don't plan to get one in the immediate future due to cost. I've even considered building my own guiding system down the line. For my current goals, I don't believe automatic guidance is essential, especially since lucky imaging works well, and I've even managed manual guiding for Andromeda.
My primary goals are:
- Solar Observation: Capturing details like protuberances and granulation.
- Planetary Imaging: Including observing the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
- Lunar Observation: Continuing my fascination with our nearest celestial neighbor.
- Deep Sky Objects (DSOs): Imaging larger nebulae like Andromeda (which is quite visible with my current setup), and aiming for regions like Rho Ophiuchi and the Swan Nebula. I'm open to modifying my Acuter for wider fields or using a focal reducer with my Newtonian.
I've seen recommendations for cameras like the ZWO ASI 290 MM, ZWO ASI 174 MM, and Player One Apolli - M Mini for monochrome, and the ZWO ASI 462 MC, Player One Uranus - C, and ASI 585 MC for color. Many sources suggest that a monochrome camera, combined with filters, yields superior results after processing. However, the added cost of filters and a filter wheel is a significant consideration given my budget.
What are your thoughts on the best path forward for a beginner like me? I'm eager to hear your recommendations!
Thank you for your time and advice!
