Astrophotography Equipment

One of the obvious perks of working at a telescope shop is that I get to use a little of everything when it comes to astrophoto gear. But I do have some favorite telescopes and cameras. Most of my CCD images have been done with an SBIG ST-10XME camera. Lately I've taken a number of shots using the Canon EOS 20Da digital SLR camera, which is a modified camera with enhanced sensitivity for astronomical imaging. Quite a few shots have been taken using Starizona's HyperStar system, which converts an SCT telescope into a fast f/2 imaging system, making exposure times much shorter than they would otherwise be. The most common telescope I use is the Celestron 14" SCT, either in HyperStar configuration (f/1.9) or with a focal reducer at the back of the scope (f/7). Other setups include wide-field apochromatic refracting telescopes, including the TeleVue NP-101 and Astro-Physics 155EDF.

I started astrophotography shortly after moving to Arizona in 1997. I managed to get into astrophotography at just the right time to see the major transformation from film photography to digital imaging. This means I had to suffer for a couple years, taking 2-hour guided film shots that can now be duplicated in just minutes. But it also means I have more appreciation for how convenient imaging has become. I always try to capture some new photos when the moon is gone and the skies are clear, so check back often for updates. I hope you enjoy the images!