7 replies to this topic

[alden]

I have an 8 inch reflector that I have not used for quite a while now, and was wondering if anyone here knows anything about using it for photography. Does Nikon or anyone make adaptors for connecting camera bodies to standard telescope eyepieces, or do you need a special eyepiece? 

 

Here is a shot I did of the moon over the summer when it was very close to the earth. 

 

I used a tripod, and took 20 shots to get this one. Lens was a Tokina AF 400mm. Some post processing in Photoshop to bring up contrast and sharpness. 

 

 

 

NIKON D80 ISO 200 Focal Length 400mm (600mm in 35mm) Aperture f/6 Exposure Time 0.0015s (1/640)

[Afterimage]

Astrophotography isn't terribly hard to get started with but it can take a life-time to master.

What you need is a T-Mount and the good news is that they are inexpensive.

 

Here's the link to one om the Orion Telescope website (great company!) .. this site is supported by B&H so you may want to see if you can click through an buy it from them:

Orion T-ring for Nikon Camera | Orion Telescopes: Astrophotography

 

Here's basically what you are looking to get:

 

 

and what it will look like attached:

 

 

[IanB]

Nice pic, i have not had muck luck with moon shots 

[alden]

Nice pic, i have not had muck luck with moon shots 

 

It's easy to get a blown-out picture. You have to meter just for the moon itself, not the entire sky. 

 

Try using the longest telephoto you have, and a tripod, and bracket about ten-twenty shots with different shutter speeds. 

 

I also cropped out most of the black sky and adjusted exposure, contrast, and sharpened it with CS4, as I recall. 

[Stas]

Just greate shot. I like it very much. Did you you crop this photo?

[PrettyCranium]

Thanks for the tips, I would like to try this! Your photo looks really sharp.

[IanB]

It's easy to get a blown-out picture. You have to meter just for the moon itself, not the entire sky. 

 

Try using the longest telephoto you have, and a tripod, and bracket about ten-twenty shots with different shutter speeds. 

 

 

Cheers, i must give it a try, if this rain ever goes off and i can actually see the moon again.............

 

Ian.

[nbanjogal]

Alden, thanks for the tips--I too have struggled with moon shots. Never thought about bracketing! 

 

Now, if I can ever find someone to let me borrow or rent the Bigma...