I have an old star tracker that I need to sell because I need to make space. I tested it out last night to make sure it still works, and now I don't want to sell it ![]()
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@Elliptica Do you use a 6D?
@eee I mostly use a Sony A7III (and that is what I used for this image), though I normally use a dedicated astronomy camera for astrophotography now.
@Elliptica I found out that the 6D has a full format sensor after I threw money at my 7D and a bunch of glass, and they're also cheap now
@eee It's a little more expensive than the 6D, but I think the Sony Alpha a7S is one of the best low light cameras you can get for the money today. They can be found on Ebay for around 400~600 dollars used with a very low shutter count because it's primarily a video camera.
The big advantage with them is that they have very big pixels. It's a 12MP camera, so it's "low resolution", but this is an advantage for astrophotography. The major one is that bigger pixels are more forgiving for less than perfect tracking (or even no tracking).
The other reason that they are good is that it's possible to remove the IR filter on these. I was told you can't do this with the a7sII and a7sIII, because they use some sort of IR light that interferes with the sensor. That said, I would recommend paying someone to do it for you, I tried it myself and messed something up which broke mine. Canon once sold the EOS Ra, which has that removed by default, but they are hard to find and way too expensive for what you get.
The big advantage with them is that they have very big pixels. It's a 12MP camera, so it's "low resolution", but this is an advantage for astrophotography. The major one is that bigger pixels are more forgiving for less than perfect tracking (or even no tracking).
The other reason that they are good is that it's possible to remove the IR filter on these. I was told you can't do this with the a7sII and a7sIII, because they use some sort of IR light that interferes with the sensor. That said, I would recommend paying someone to do it for you, I tried it myself and messed something up which broke mine. Canon once sold the EOS Ra, which has that removed by default, but they are hard to find and way too expensive for what you get.
@Elliptica getting to the sensor isn't too difficult i'd argue
@Elliptica out of curiosity, if you were gonna sell, how much?
@Elliptica what's the make/model?
@genmaicha It's the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer.
However, the telescope was a Redcat 51, and the camera was a Sony a7III.
However, the telescope was a Redcat 51, and the camera was a Sony a7III.
@genmaicha However, looking at those, the prices on them have really started to inflate. Like, buying that one new today costs double what I paid for it about 5 years ago.
There are cheaper star trackers on the market now that are just as good, like the iOptron SkyGuider Pro (about $350), and iOptron SkyTracker Pro (about $230). However, I'm starting to think the best way for people to get into astrophotography is through smart scopes.
The Dwarflab mini and Seestar S30 are both all in one packages that can really get your foot in the door a lot easier. That said, it takes a lot of the technique out of taking images, and so a lot of people think of the as cheating, so idk.
There are cheaper star trackers on the market now that are just as good, like the iOptron SkyGuider Pro (about $350), and iOptron SkyTracker Pro (about $230). However, I'm starting to think the best way for people to get into astrophotography is through smart scopes.
The Dwarflab mini and Seestar S30 are both all in one packages that can really get your foot in the door a lot easier. That said, it takes a lot of the technique out of taking images, and so a lot of people think of the as cheating, so idk.
@karna I live in a really dark area, so I don't need to use filters.
My night sky after light pollution.
@Elliptica @genmaicha find old dudes and buy used
@Elliptica
> dark area
I'm jealous
. that said my refractor's internal reflections are enough to gimme a halo on alnitak without filters
> dark area
I'm jealous
Looks more like that purpley pink ubuntu xterm color here.