TheSkySearchers

Considering selling my equipment and going the DSLR route. The DSLR can be dual purposes vs a telescope. Don’t use my telescope much this past year. Been looking on the forum at folks with a DSLR posting to get a feel for it. Am still a newbie at this which is why I posted here. For those using a DSLR, what is the furthest planet you have been able to capture besides the moon. Thanks.

Not quite what you're asking, but it's possible to detect exoplanet transits with just a DSLR, no telescope! As well as capturing images with the DSLR, you can collect data of surprisingly good quality.

Folks that are using a DSLR to capture planets are using the DSLR attached to a telescope.

The furthest planet with a DSLR that doesn't look like dots is Earth.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

What lens will/are you using?
Essentially, you will need a BIG lens attached to a dslr to image a planet (and see something besides a dot).
Actually, you need a rather large telescope to do planets justice.
With big scopes/lenses, you’ll need a capable mount to handle the weight.
I would love to image planets, but it’s way too much for my pocket book.
Good luck!

While the answers above are correct, one thing you might want to consider if you want to capture the night skies is to try "Nightscape" photography.

You can find examples here: viewforum.php?f=68

Thanks for the replies. No camera yet, just considering this option. Wanted to get opinions from you pro’s before charging ahead. This was my 1st stop before going forward on more research on cameras and those large lenses. I know a few photographers I could talk to to get more insight on cameras. Been awhile since owning a DSLR so am sure things have changed in the last 20 years. Thanks again folks.

Bearcatrp wrote: ↑Fri Mar 24, 2023 2:13 am Thanks for the replies. No camera yet, just considering this option. Wanted to get opinions from you pro’s before charging ahead. This was my 1st stop before going forward on more research on cameras and those large lenses. I know a few photographers I could talk to to get more insight on cameras. Been awhile since owning a DSLR so am sure things have changed in the last 20 years. Thanks again folks.

If you are thinking about large lenses with long focal length you will still need an accurate tracking mount. General purpose large lenses will not perform as well for AP as telescopes that are dedicated to that single purpose, and they can easily be more expensive too. For anything above 400 mm focal length tracking is the number 1 issue, optics and camera are secondary. If the goal is AP I don't think you gain anything by going large lens DSLR.

Also, you were talking about planetary AP. To do that right you need much longer focal length than what a large DSLR lens can offer - 2000 mm plus if possible, and wide aperture to get high resolution. Anything less than that will be underwhelming; for those 2 planets that most people focus on you might as well get it right or otherwise skip it. The Mak that you have would probably be decent; for high resolution you need 12" aperture if possible. Of course, it will all work only those one or two nights when everything comes together just right. Technically it's a different beast, you use high frequency lucky imaging not long exposures like wide field AP.

If you want to do large lens DSLR AP it will probably be about wide field DSOs, and for that I think a 70 mm triplet or quadruplet is best on an intermediate tracking mount. A DSLR would work fine with that, and it will get you a large sensor. An ASI1600 or ASI2600 would be nicer but DSLR bodies can be had for a low price. Keep in mind that for large sensor you need a flat field so either a quad or a triplet with field flattener.

Hope you have not been swayed by those on the web who recommend the Nikon P1000 for all things astro, as that stuff is all bunk. Real excellent planetary astrophotography is done by only a handful of dedicated amateurs in the world, most here can name them. Scopes used are 12 inch and up 14-16 is preferable and focal lengths of 4000mm minimum.

In addition to all the mount requirements, years of practice, software and a very favorable location with smooth air is needed. Ready to move to the seaside in the Philippines?

I have the scope and the cameras, but am no good at planetary imaging, mostly lack of talent.
Steve

I like my DSLR for nightscapes, star trails, time exposures, etc. With my 400 mm lens I can get a feel for the phase of Venus and identify Jupiter's moons. I can get some detail in lunar pictures on the scale of a full moon (not tight shots). That is about all. Those nightscapes, etc. are among my favorite type of photography. I am happy with them.

HOWEVER, SkyHiker's post is correct. To get anything more requires a tracking mount. My 400 mm lens is almost on the edge of being a small telescope, and it is severely limited. For planetary work it is just enough to want more, but not quite enough to satisfy. For planetary work I think I would soon get bored and either give up or start buying my telescope equipment again.

Those who follow my blog will know that I've spent a lot of time experimenting with a DSLR at focal lengths from 18mm to 300mm.

In order of frequency and ease of use, I have done the following without using a telescope:

Lunar detail at full disc

Sunspots

Phases of Venus

Jupiter's Moons

Titan

Phases of Mercury

Cloud belts of Jupiter (just 2 main ones)

Saturn's Rings

Albedo features on Mars

The last 5 are far from everyday occurrences and I have far more failed attempts than successful ones. The key is focus and it is very hard with a DSLR and autofocus just doesn't work on my camera.

I have had better results attaching my DSLR to my 127mm Maksutov. Webcam/electronic eyepiece imagers give better results on planets and lunar and solar close-ups but are much more difficult to use.

I don't have a big budget but here is what I do:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/philippughastronomer/

Bearcatrp wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:18 am Considering selling my equipment and going the DSLR route. The DSLR can be dual purposes vs a telescope. Don’t use my telescope much this past year. Been looking on the forum at folks with a DSLR posting to get a feel for it. Am still a newbie at this which is why I posted here. For those using a DSLR, what is the furthest planet you have been able to capture besides the moon. Thanks.

I would keep the telescope, depending on the mount that could also be very useful for Astro Photography

I had a 4.5" Reflector Newtonian , and prior to that a 3" Mirror. I did not use them much and got rid of them. I now kinda wish I had kept the 4.5"
Now I am getting back into more series Astronomy again. so got a new Mount EQM35 and plan to use it with my Nikon Mirrorless and 85mm f/1.8 lens to start with. I also have an older 55-200 lens that might work as well with this new mount. Last Year I took some stationary tripod images of Orion Nebula as it is my favourite for the start of winter season. I managed to get a little bit of color. Due to Large city I don't get clear dark night skies like I did with the 4.5". I would need to travel 200km or more to find dark skies LOL PS My plan is to find dark skies to improve my photos. Possible future plan 127 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

For visual a Maksutov is a great choice, views can be equivalent of a apochromatic refractor.
The only drawback is the Maksutov design has the smallest TFOV of any telescope design.
A f/7 or faster refractor will give good results or a Schmidt Cassagrien using a f/6.3 reducer can collect more light.

Personal choice of course, we all do things our own way.

Many of the larger DSOs, like the Hyades are better suited to DSLRs and a focal length in the 50-100mm range. I find there's loads I can photograph without going down the driven mount route.

I am getting a new "electronic eyepiece" which will hopefully get some decent lunar and solar close-ups.

In case it helps you with your DSLR setup, here's mine:

I haven't captured any planets with it. I'm mainly focusing on much larger targets.

Here are some of my photos: https://unsplash.com/@astrorover