You just plug it into the appropriate port in your camera, and press the button on the cable instead of the button on the camera. This is a button on a cable that will allow you to trigger your shutter to minimize the risk of introducing vibrations in the camera. Related: How to photograph meteors and meteor showersĪdditional equipment for astro Remote Shutter Release (recommended).In warmer, summer months you may even spot nocticulent clouds at twilight. To find the best locations, head to a dark sky site far away from any light pollution. We have a guide to the best tripods for night sky photos if you're in the market for one. The tripod’s smoothly tilting head also allows you to position your camera perfectly to capture the bit of the sky you want. When it comes to accessories, a tripod is essential for astrophotography as you simply won’t be able to hold the camera still enough by yourself for the long exposures required, and resting it on a wall isn’t always possible. Just make sure you operate at the maximum available aperture size (typically around f/4 on stock kit lenses). If you don’t have a fast lens just yet, you can still use the kit lens that came with your camera, even if it's just to practice with to get your technique and settings right. If you're ready to spend a little more, the Sigma f/1.4 14mm ART or the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM lens would both be great options. A lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or lower is considered to be a fast lens, though many astrophotographers opt for prime lenses with apertures of f/1.8 or lower as they tend to be sharper and better for astrophotography.Ī lens like the Rokinon (Samyang) 14mm f/2.8 is a great lens to get started with and is very affordable. A ‘fast’ lens is one that has a large maximum aperture - in other words, a small f-stop number. Wide-angle focal lengths allow you to capture a good portion of the night sky as well as some of the landscape for foreground interest. When it comes to lenses, a wide or super-wide angle ‘fast’ lens somewhere in the 12-35mm range is best suited to landscape photography and astrophotography. Crop-sensor or APS-C cameras are usually $400 and up, and are more than capable of capturing the night sky. They are also a more affordable option than full-frame cameras.Īs a rough guide, a good full-frame mirrorless or DSLR with the ability to take sharp images at higher ISO settings will set you back between $2000-3000 - more on that later. However, as megapixel counts increase (and photosites, therefore, become smaller) this advantage is becoming slimmer, and modern crop-sensor cameras are very capable for astrophotography. Stopping the lens at infinity isn’t enough, so zoom in if you can using the screen’s controls to get your focus as accurate as possible.įull frame cameras generally perform the best in low light situations as they have a larger sensor and can have larger individual photosites that capture more light. Use the screen on the back of the camera (having one that flips out makes this easier) to focus carefully so the stars appear as points and not circles. We always recommend using manual focusing when shooting astro, as most sensors simply won't be able to focus on the night sky because it's so dark. If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, the first step is to put it in Manual mode - this applies to both exposure and focus. Īstrophotography for beginners 2023 Camera bodies and lenses Thinking of dabbling in astrophotography? You may want to check out our guides to the best cameras for photos and videosor the best cameras for beginners. You’ll be surprised what they’re capable of, particularly using the night modes on more recent models. You can even use your smartphone for astrophotography if necessary. Even if you don’t own a flashy camera, use what you have. The first bit of advice, though, is a simple one: have a go. We also include some tips on getting the most out of the images you capture, including editing them in some of the best photo editing apps available. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to get started - the equipment you'll need, as well as planning your astro shoot and the camera settings you’ll need to effectively photograph the night sky. Astrophotography is a photographic style that’s tricky to get right the first time and will take many attempts, iterating on the same ideas until you can finally provide an image that’s got some real ‘wow’ factor. The second investment is time and patience - though these are things you sadly cannot purchase. Capturing the milky way can be a great place for beginners to start.
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