Hello All - Looking to get into Astrophotography - pls advice on suitable Pentax DSLR

Kully · 10-21-2020, 10:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by awscreo

I personally use my K-1 and dfa 15-30 on a steady tripod, and then stack the frames (at around iso 6400, f2.8, 10-20 frames) in Sequator. It produces whistle clean images, with a ton of light data.

Some samples achieved with this technique:

Champlain-Memorial Lighthouse - Summer night | Timur Dzhambinov | Flickr
Milky Way over the old fort | Timur Dzhambinov | Flickr

Awesome pictures

---------- Post added 10-21-20 at 10:23 AM ----------

Originally posted by SharkyCA

Just to add to excellent info already posted, did you check Pentax home site? PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / explore | RICOH IMAGING

Thanks for the link... I love the culture amongst "Pentaxians"

splurk · 11-08-2020, 09:41 PM

Hi Kully

Like you, I too am just getting into astrophotography. I still only use the K1 on a standard tripod and the astrotracer is a fantastic function that does help.
It makes a massive difference at shorter focal lengths, but is still usable at longer focal lengths. I am currently taking images at 450mm and 630mm (450 + x1.4 teleconverter)

My camera is not modified at all and I get some good images with it. You should be able to use your refractor as that has a focal length of 700mm but the astrotracer will be down to around 5-6 second subs max.
This means taking around 200-300 subs at 5 seconds and moving the scope manually every 5 images taken to keep the focus of the image around the centre. An intervalometer is essential so as not to disturb the setup and cause vibrations.

Good luck and clear skies.

mkgd1 · 11-08-2020, 10:09 PM

Don't know too much about astro photography, but I'm sure you will find lots of useful information here. Welcome to the forum

Breakfastographer · 11-16-2020, 06:12 PM

Welcome to the forum, Kully - always nice to have new astro photographers on board.

Arndt · 11-16-2020, 06:59 PM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums from Berlin.

AnotherVoice · 12-16-2020, 01:34 PM

I have a KP and Astrotracer. I love it, especially with the Rokinon 14mm f2.8. Really nice shots.

11-08-2020, 09:41 PM	#17
splurk New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Sydney Posts: 9	Hi Kully Like you, I too am just getting into astrophotography. I still only use the K1 on a standard tripod and the astrotracer is a fantastic function that does help. It makes a massive difference at shorter focal lengths, but is still usable at longer focal lengths. I am currently taking images at 450mm and 630mm (450 + x1.4 teleconverter) My camera is not modified at all and I get some good images with it. You should be able to use your refractor as that has a focal length of 700mm but the astrotracer will be down to around 5-6 second subs max. This means taking around 200-300 subs at 5 seconds and moving the scope manually every 5 images taken to keep the focus of the image around the centre. An intervalometer is essential so as not to disturb the setup and cause vibrations. Good luck and clear skies. Last edited by splurk; 11-09-2020 at 06:15 PM. Reason: Missing the link for the image

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10-21-2020, 10:20 AM - 1 Like	#16
Kully New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: london Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by awscreo I personally use my K-1 and dfa 15-30 on a steady tripod, and then stack the frames (at around iso 6400, f2.8, 10-20 frames) in Sequator. It produces whistle clean images, with a ton of light data. Some samples achieved with this technique: Champlain-Memorial Lighthouse - Summer night \| Timur Dzhambinov \| Flickr Milky Way over the old fort \| Timur Dzhambinov \| Flickr Awesome pictures ---------- Post added 10-21-20 at 10:23 AM ---------- Originally posted by SharkyCA Just to add to excellent info already posted, did you check Pentax home site? PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / explore \| RICOH IMAGING Thanks for the link... I love the culture amongst "Pentaxians"

11-08-2020, 10:09 PM	#18
mkgd1 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Mohave county Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 1,076	Don't know too much about astro photography, but I'm sure you will find lots of useful information here. Welcome to the forum

11-16-2020, 06:12 PM	#19
Breakfastographer Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 673	Welcome to the forum, Kully - always nice to have new astro photographers on board.

11-16-2020, 06:59 PM	#20
Arndt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 167	Welcome to the Pentax Forums from Berlin.

12-16-2020, 01:34 PM	#21
AnotherVoice Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 86	I have a KP and Astrotracer. I love it, especially with the Rokinon 14mm f2.8. Really nice shots.