![Piggyback](/images/new-backgrounds/102256/10225679x1.webp)
After looking at the night sky for a while you may want to try photographing it. Several forms of photography are possible with your telescope, including terrestrial and celestial photography. Both of these are discussed in moderate detail with enough information to get you started. Topics include the accessories required and some simple techniques. More information is available in some of the publications listed at the end of this manual.
In addition to the specific accessories required for each type of celestial photography, there is the need for a camera - but not just any camera. The camera does not have to have many of the features offered on today's
Second, the “B” or manual setting should NOT run off the battery. Many new electronic cameras use the battery to keep the shutter open during time exposures. Once the batteries are drained, usually after a few minutes, the shutter closes, whether you were finished with the exposure or not. Look for a camera that has a manual shutter when operating in the time exposure mode. Olympus, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Canon and others have made such camera bodies.
The camera must have interchangeable lenses so you can attach it to the telescope and so you can use a variety of lenses for piggyback photography. If you can't find a new camera, you can purchase a used camera body that is not
You also need a cable release with a locking function to hold the shutter open while you do other things. Mechanical and air release models are available.
Piggyback
The easiest way to enter the realm of
As with any form of
1.Polar align the telescope (using one of the methods described earlier) and start the motor drive.
2.Load your camera with slide film, ISO 100 or faster, or print film, ISO 400 or faster!
3.Set the f/ratio of your camera lens so that it is a half stop to one full stop down from completely open.
4.Set the shutter speed to the “B” setting and focus the lens to the infinity setting.
5.Locate the area of the sky that you want to photograph and move the telescope so that it points in that direction.
40