Charlotte Daniels takes a look at what different cameras can do for you as you get started in night-sky imaging
Many of us are inspired into astrophotography through admiring deep-sky images. Thanks to advances in camera tech, amazing astrophotos are within reach of even relatively modest setups. Great images can be achieved even with a smartphone or with a DSLR that might otherwise be going unloved. Both are an excellent gateway into astro imaging. Alternately, you can jump right in with a more specialised camera.
There are many different categories of astrophotography, including widefields of the Milky Way, lunar and planetary imaging, and deep-sky imaging of objects like star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Some cameras perform better than others across these categories, so think about what kind of photography you’d most like to do, then read on to find out how different cameras can help you reach your night-sky imaging goals.
Smartphones
Most people already have a camera in their pocket that’s capable of astrophotography
Camera technology is a key feature of many smartphones today, and their performance in low-light conditions has improved significantly. Because they’re portable, smartphones are an excellent route into night-sky imaging, although with a fixed lens they don’t offer the flexibility of other cameras. Depending on the model, smartphones perform best for widefield Milky Way images, some lunar imaging or capturing the Northern Lights.
What type of images can be taken with your smartphone? It depends on whether it can capture long exposures. Some have this feature built in – often contained in a ‘night mode’ function – meaning it’s possible to take widefield Milky Way images. The length of night-mode exposures is limited to 30 seconds, which isn’t as long as is possible with a DSLR, but long enough for widefield photography. Night mode features often allow us to make ISO adjustments, although if your smartphone doesn’t include this there are apps available, including Camera+ 2 for iPhones and Camera FV-5 for Android phones.
Star trails are another type of astrophotography that many smartphones can do, and if your phone doesn’t come with a ‘star trails’ mode,
