Getting Started with Astrophotography

Astrophotography doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you want to capture the Moon, planets, the Milky Way or distant deep-sky objects, we’ll help you understand the equipment you need and find the right setup to get started.

The Moon

The Moon is one of the easiest and most rewarding subjects for your first steps into astrophotography. You can get started with relatively simple equipment, from photographing it with a camera and telephoto lens to attaching a camera or smartphone to a telescope.

Planets

Photographing Jupiter, Saturn and Mars usually requires plenty of magnification and a different approach to traditional photography. A telescope with a longer focal length paired with a planetary camera is a popular way to capture detailed images of the planets.

Milky Way & Nightscapes

You don't necessarily need a telescope to start photographing the night sky. A camera, wide-angle lens and sturdy tripod can be enough to capture the Milky Way, constellations and dramatic night landscapes. A star tracker can then open the door to longer exposures and greater detail.

Nebulae, Galaxies & Deep Sky

Deep-sky astrophotography takes things a step further. A tracking equatorial mount is at the heart of most setups, alongside a suitable telescope or lens and a camera. As you progress, equipment such as autoguiders, filters and dedicated astronomy cameras can be added to your setup.

Smart Telescopes

Looking for a simpler way in? Smart telescopes combine the telescope, camera, tracking and image processing into a single system. They can be an excellent introduction to photographing galaxies, nebulae and other deep-sky objects without building a traditional astrophotography setup.

Explore Smart Telescopes

What Do I Need to Get Started?

For a traditional astrophotography setup, there are four main components to think about:

A camera – This could be your existing DSLR or mirrorless camera, a dedicated astronomy camera or, for planetary imaging, a specialist planetary camera.

A telescope or lens – This determines your field of view and the types of objects you'll be able to photograph.

A tracking mount – Particularly important for deep-sky photography, where the mount follows the movement of the night sky during longer exposures.

The right accessories – Depending on your setup, you may need adapters, filters, guiding equipment, power supplies and other accessories.

You don't need to buy everything at once. Start with the equipment that suits what you want to photograph and build your setup as your experience grows.

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Already Know What You Need?

Explore our full range of astronomy cameras, adapters, guiding equipment and astrophotography accessories.

Still Not Sure Where to Start?

Choosing your first astrophotography setup can seem daunting, particularly when you're trying to work out which cameras, telescopes, mounts and accessories are compatible.

Our team is here to help. Tell us what you'd like to photograph, what equipment you already own and your approximate budget, and we'll help point you in the right direction.

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