So you want to take pictures of space, huh? Fortunately, in today’s day and age, one can take amazing photos of space and other celestial objects using affordable and available technology. We called this list, “Best telescopes,” but in fact, there are other ways to do it. Most telescopes don’t take photographs. However, most telescopes can be fairly easily adapted to fit onto a DSLR using something called a T Ring adapter (see item number two). In this list we’ve also included a cell phone adapter. The list is sorted from lowest to highest price by each item, but here’s a quick mini guide.
If you want the simplest possible solution for pictures of the moon and planets (but not pictures of stars), head straight to item number six, the P900 from Nikon. It’s not the most affordable option, but the footage speaks for itself.
The most affordable option is number one (the cell phone adapter mount) and a telescope. This will allow you to take great pictures of the moon and some of the planets.
The last two items on our list are the most expensive and those are cameras that are specialized for astrophotography. If you’re serious about astrophotography and want to take pictures like this:
You’ll need a specialized camera just like these.
Finally one of the items on our list is a specialized mount that moves with the sky. Now, it’s not often talked about in the media but earth is rotating and therefore, taking long exposure of the sky can lead to blurriness. A specialized mount like this will allow one to take longer exposures of the sky without this blurriness. Here’s an amazing picture of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, taken with a Canon t3i, a t ring adapter, and one of these specialized mounts.
In short, there’s items here on this list for every level of astrophotography, aspiring or otherwise. Here’s the 10 best items and telescopes for astrophotography.
1. GoSky Cell Phone Adapter Mount
GoSky
This simple mount allows one to attach their smartphone to a telescope. This is by far the easiest and best way to get started. Buying an inexpensive telescope (see item number 4) will run one an additional $140 or so, however, the mount is an inexpensive way to start capturing pictures immediately. The good news is that should one choose to advance their astrophotography, they can simple purchase a T-ring and attach their DSLR to the telescope. This is a great starting point for people who want to do basic pictures of the moon and planets and are willing to fiddle with their telescope. If you want something simpler (but considerably more expensive) Nikon’s p900 may be a better choice since it’s as simple as mounting it to a tripod and zooming in.
Price: $18.85 (61 percent off MSRP)
Buy the GoSky Cell Phone Adapter Mount here.
Pros:
- Simple mount for attaching iPhone or smartphone to telescope
- Allows for solid quality images
- Dirt cheap price
- Easy to set-up and configure
- Great choice for beginners
Cons:
- Images don’t compare to DSLR photos
- Without a tracking mount, sufficient detail for stunning shots is difficult
Find more GoSky Cell Phone Adapter Mount information and reviews here.
2. T-Ring Adapter (Works with variety of DSLRs)
Celestron
The T-ring is a simple device that lets on mount their DSLR camera to a telescope. Here’s one for a Canon and Nikon camera. These mounts allow one to put their DSLR camera directly onto a telescope.
Here’s a sample of some footage taken with a t-ring mounted 5DMKII
If you don’t own a DSLR, here’s a list of the best DSLRs for beginners.
Price: $20
Buy the T-Ring Adapter for Canon Cameras here.
Celestron[/caption]
Pros:
- If you already have a DSLR, this is an affordable solution
- Relatively easy to set up, these mount from the camera to the eyepiece
- Allows one to use camera they already have
- Mounts to telescope eyepiece
Cons:
- Unit can get stuck to camera, check and double check size
- Manual focus necessary
- A small percentage of the time, one may need to use pliers to remove from camera body
Find more T-Ring Adapter (Works with variety of DSLRs) information and reviews here.
3. Adobe Photoshop (how to get the really stunning pictures)
Adobe
Photoshop isn’t necessary for astrophotography, but it sure does get things from “good” to “great” for simple usage (like taking pictures through a telescope). For the more advanced stuff, however, it is necessary because it can process RAW images and stack them together. That said, it’s not the only app one will need to create amazing image like this.
Many use this app called Skystacker. It’s totally free. Here’s another image it made. Photoshop is handy and it allows you to work with your images in sophisticated ways. Despite how far camera technology has come, images of deep space that blow minds are actually made in post, and not strictly captured.
Photoshop is a handy part of any photographer’s arsenal in every way. It’s the industry standard for a reason.
Price: $119.88
Buy the Adobe Photoshop here.
Adobe[/caption]
Pros:
- Key software used to merge numerous photographic exposures
- Industry standard
- Includes Lightroom for even more creative control
- Easy to use but with enough features to keep learning for a lifetime
- Allows installation on two computers
Cons:
- Expensive
- Free alternatives exist but tend to be harder to use with less resources (see: GIMP)
Find more Adobe Photoshop information and reviews here.
4. Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker
Celestron
This telescope is a great starter scope. It can be used with number one and two on our list, the smartphone mount and a t-ring (and mounted to a DSLR). It has a ton of power and a mobile app that helps make the whole “finding planets” thing a lot easier. If you really want to take amazing pictures, you can also add the Celestron Motor Drive to keep motion consistent and to take stunning photographs of distant things like galaxies and nebulae. With the motor, subjects can stay in view for up to an hour once adjusted. Short of the more advanced mount below (the VX, number 8), this is the more affordable yet non-amateur way to capture astro-pics.
Price: $135.14 (20 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker here.
Pros:
- Two year Celestron warranty
- Celestron mobile app makes use easier
- Tripod is subpar; weigh it down for best results
Cons:
- Collimation may be necessary
- Eyepiece is subpar
- Needs upgrading to be used to full potential
Find more Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker information and reviews here.
5. Any Huge Lens
Opteka
Another really simple solution for taking pictures of the moon and to a lesser extent the planets, is simply a hugely powerful lens. Fortunately, a variety of such lenses exist. One is the Opteka 650-1300mm for Canon or Nikon.
While this isn’t the best way or a way to get truly massive zoom power, it is a very simple way to take pictures of the moon and sky. If you’re intimidated by the process and don’t want to shell out for a P900, then this may be a great way to go.
Price: $179.95
Buy the Any Huge Lens here.
Pros:
- Cheap and simple solution for DSLR owners
- Effortless setup
- Great for beginners
- As simple as mounting and snapping
- Great for pictures of the moon and small pictures of the planets
Cons:
- Won’t allow advanced pictures that track movement of sky
Find more Any Huge Lens information and reviews here.
6. P900 Nikon Camera
Nikon
This camera is hard not to love. It doesn’t have the best optical quality, the fastest shutter response time, or image quality that will blow other cameras out of the water. This camera is a one-trick pony, but it’s quite a pony: It can zoom farther than pretty much any other camera out there. Check out the video below for a delightful sample, but there’s plenty online (such as this one at a beach).
As the video below shows, it’s fairly straightforward to zoom in on distant celestial subjects like the moon, Saturn and Mars. If this camera appeals to you for its weirdness, it is definitely one of the easiest way to see Saturn’s rings with your own device.
Price: $656.62 (6 percent off MSRP)
Buy the P900 Nikon Camera here.
Pros:
- Unreal zoom for a digital camera
- Image can be shaky
- Works as a normal camera as well
- Fairly easy to use compared to a telescope
- 15.8oz and the size of a DSLR; this is more portable than any telescope
Cons:
- Bulky for a “compact” camera
- Not the cheapest way to get detailed astrophotography shots
- Limited compared to a DSLR attached to a telescope
- Noisy and relatively low quality images
Find more P900 Nikon Camera information and reviews here.
7. Orion Newtonian Astrograph
Orion
This telescope is for people who want to take amazing pictures with their DSLR. It includes a motorized mount and the image samples speak for themselves. The great thing about this telescope is that beyond the T-ring and your DSLR, one does not need to purchase any more equipment. Obviously, it’s a lot to spend, but if you’re serious about taking pictures of the heavens, this telescope will more than do the trick.
Price: $729.99
Buy the Orion Newtonian Astrograph here.
Pros:
- When used with DSLR can capture amazing images out of the box
- Great optics with fast exposure times (for lower noise, less blurry photos)
- Sharp with easy adjustments
- Includes auto-tracking mount that’s decent
Cons:
- Requires work in post; most stunning images usually require stacking (multiple images compressed into one)
- Pricey
Find more Orion Newtonian Astrograph information and reviews here.
8. Celestron Advanced VX Computerized Mount
Celestron
This mount can be added to one’s telescope to hold much more weight and do fine-tuned, sophisticated sky-tracking movement. It allows for long and detailed exposures that will get on to the pictures that really blow people away. Yes, the ones that look like they were taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (but you will need to do post-processing in Photoshop). For those with a telescope already who are looking to take things to the next level, this mount is a great way to do so. It has a huge capacity of almost 30 pounds meaning one can really put a huge ‘scope on it.
Price: $899
Buy the Celestron Advanced VX Computerized Mount here.
Pros:
- Sophisticated system for tracking sky movement
- Allows for long and detailed exposures
- Permits for unreal astrography that is professional grade
- Involved set up process is easy but requires a few steps
- Cam hold up to 30lbs
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can be achieved on smaller mounts
Find more Celestron Advanced VX Computerized Mount information and reviews here.
9. Nikon D810a
Nikon
In the manufacturer’s words, this camera, “Employs an optical IR cut filter with specific transmission characteristics (characteristics in the 656nm range), enabling the capture of nebulae and distant galaxies that emit H-alpha wavelength in red.” Does that really need any further explanation?
Of course it does, but the simplest explanation is this: this camera sees light other cameras can not. Unfortunately, this is a very specialized tool and it cannot take pictures under normal circumstances. Well, it can take them, they’re just not very good. Check out more D810A image samples to get an idea for its abilities. If this kind of thing suits you, there isn’t a better camera to do it with. Though, the camera below does offer a lot more practicality and can still take some awesome pictures of the night sky. This camera is made for astrophotography but it can be used for other purposes with some color tweaks and adjustment to color profiles; results as a general purpose camera may vary.
Price: $3000
Buy the Nikon D810a here.
Pros:
- Top quality with unique sensor abilities
- Super low ISO for long exposures (32)
- Built-in timelapse, interval timer, and unlimited continuous shooting
- Weather sealed body
Cons:
- Not recommended for normal photography
- Drastically overkill for most users considering it’s so specialized
Find more Nikon D810a information and reviews here.
10. Canon 5DSR Camera
Canon
If you’re looking for an all around camera that also happens to take amazing pictures of the sky, the 5DSR is a pro piece of gear that is less specialized than the D810A, but takes some amazing pictures, such as this. Beyond its astrophotography capabilities, it has a ton of great faetures including a huge 50.6 megapixel sensor, 1080P movies, and a low noise sensor. While it’s not a good choice for video (1080P boo!), it’s a great stills camera that will actually let you do things beyond take pictures of the heavens above. It’s a very sharp camera because it has so many pixels and no low pass filter unlike other Canon models. Therefore, it captures massive amounts of detail with any edge softening or similar effects. This is a great camera for professionals who want a camera that also takes great pics of the night sky.
Price: $3699 (5 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Canon 5DSR Camera here.
Canon
Pros:
- 50.6 megapixels is a ton of detail
- 1080P movies with built-in timelapses
- Highest quality consumer camera for astrophotography
- User selectable shutter release time
- Low noise sensor
Cons:
- Overkill for most users
- No 4K video
Find more Canon 5DS Camera information and reviews here.