Hello, allow me to introduce a group to the members here about the astronomy photography - Astrophotography Group of Malaysia. Please feel free to visit the website for astrophotos which are mostly taken in Malaysia: Astrophotography Group of Malaysia

I'm surprised that astrophoto has been overwhelmingly discussed in this forum as well as Malaysia.

Please do comment on the photos taken by APGM. And we wish to promote astronomy to members of public as well as astrophoto to those who feel like to give it a try.

In my opinion, telescope is not necessary a key factor to get a good celestial photo but a tracking system (motorized setup to compensate the Earth's rotation). Even a wide-angle lens, or 200mm tele-lens would give you excellent results with certain conditions applied. You'll find that many photos in APGM's web are by camera lenses apart from planetary close-up shots.

Clear skies,
choostar

March05,
You are very good in this field.... maybe we shall work something out for this special interest. And I believe that our members are very pleased to meet you guys for taking astro photos.

FYI, "Astronomy Fair @ USJ Summit" has been tentatively scheduled in mid November 2005. It's another good platform for enthusiasts of astronomy as well as photography.

Thank you, deepyu.
I'm pretty agreed with deepyu in the aspect of PHOTOGRAPHY in astronomy. A fast focal ratio and medium telephoto lens is indeed an excellent companion in celestial shooting. As the weather concern, we somehow need to race with time, therefore, it's hardly for us to do many long exposures within a night. When you try to get a good telescope with large aperture, it's good to have its light gathering power. When comes to the exposure wise, we'll need to apply an extra lens called focal reducer to fasten the f in order to shorten the exposure. A 200mm f/2.8 lens (easily over 2k) is very portable and convenient for photographer but not for observing. So, when one highlights on visual observation, a telescope is no doubt more practical. However, a telescope (no matter of its optical system) is applicable to astrophoto, if mounted with a motorized system.

There are some telescopes are specifically builted for astrophoto, 150mm (aperture) with f/2.4.... WOW! Again, we'll sweat over the price..

You'll see it's a different perspective so not necessary to have arguement.

For a beginner, I should say that starting with the existing instrument is a wise option. The basic knowledge of astronomy (ie. celestial motion) is the must.

As for GOTO telescope, it's good either. But I don't see it's an absolute or excellent equipment in astrophoto. What I try to highlight is the technique of tracking does depend on the observer/user not the telescope or GOTO system itself. It does a good job when you key in the object number and let it slews to the designated objects. We understand that most of us enjoy the convenience of automated gadget (and sometime I also prefer to get one to search for Sombrero galaxy) rather than sweating by our hard effort - but it's worthy, you will be satisfied!

In APGM, we try to make the awareness that your existing photographic equipment might surprice you by few steps to snap celestial... in case of your fully understanding of own setup.

Nice to meeting and chatting with you guys here. Have a nice day.

March05:

As for close-up shooting for moon, sun and planets, your camera will be good enough as long as it can be manually set, and mounted it onto a motorised telescope - with a 500mm or more focal length will do.

Please be careful when you trigger your shutter. Beaware of vibration and the adapter/cramp to mount your digital camera on to the telescope eyepiece. There are 2 types of adapter/cramp which is a universal adapter and DCL. Please visit Digital Adapter for more info. The other one is an eyepiece with specifically made thread to be screwed on to our camera lens (make sure there is a thread).

May I suggest you one more thing? Try to capture the moon before and after full moon as there are many more features moon surface to reveal, especially the terminator of day 3 - 7 lunar. It's fascinating!

Wish you success and good luck.

You really did a quite well research on the so-called "good" telescope. I do not know how good you are in practical experience of handling telescope as well as the hand-on experiences but I appreciate your comments. Although I'm not fully agreed with you, guys here are lucky to see different ideas of utilizing an instrument. As I said, a good instrument is crucial but the observer/man will be the key factor to determine. Information, reviews or articles in website or magazine are kind of reference; some might be a commercial article. So, practical makes perfect.

Personal opinion, ETX mount even with wedge does not perform well in long exposure (even 10 min) for astrophoto. The original attached tripod is not so supportive.

And I look forward to meeting you guys, and your scope also. BTW, what's your scope? You are in Kluang..... hmm... a bit far away...when you are going to have the first light?!

Have a nice weekend.

M16 in fact is not harmful at all -- M16 is a Messier Object with a popular name of Eagle Nebula! So no worry.. hah!

March05, where shall I access to see your Solar pict? with what kind of solarscope? able to see the sunspot or the prominences & solar flares?

As for Moon or Sun photo, 3x or 4x is more than enough; 60 sec?? too long. You'll get the moon or sun overexposed. Many lunar photos in the APGM were taken by Nikon CP4500 (just 4x optical zoom). The telescope's focal length is 480mm. The photographer applied a DCL28 (an eyepiece at 24mm f/length with 28mm thread) with CP4500 for afocal shooting.

Photography is somehow not a "classic" hobby... so it's invalueable .... you are up to a standard to develop this particular interest. Dont forget, the instrument we apply is to encounter the nature phenomena, (but atmospheric turbulence is our enemy) so certain investment is needed.

Good day, gusy.

Partial lunar eclipse on 17 Oct 2005 by Gradient Lok of APGM:

Newtonian will always be with a fast focal ratio and wide aperture for deep-space objects while Maksutov with very very slow focal ratio. If one's favourite is planets and terrestrial viewing as well, Maksutov is a good bet. When visual observation for DSO is the priority, newtonian will beat the rest (with perfect collimation). It's depending on the user/observer's desire and requirement. Overall, Maksutov is portable, handy but not seriously practical for astronomy enthusiasts in general observation. It performances are good but very limited. I could tell the differences as my experiences tell me so... however, there is no absolute answer to the question. Subject to your observation plan!

Hi guys, would like to share this "fresh" shot for Mars close approach this early morning at 3am.


Image captured by the founder member of APGM, William Chin W.L.

Clear skies.