Pentax k70 Is this Camera suited for Astrophotography?

Edgar42 · 10-21-2020, 07:44 PM - **1 Like**

Hello I am new to this ( a total dweeb) and a late starter ( 78 yrs old) Healthy but not quite up to task of lugging around Refractor or Reflector telescopes. hence my interest in Astrophotography with Camera,Tripod , a few good lenses and possibly a tracking system.. I am a retiree and pensioner therefore am limited as to how much I can spend although I must say with this Covid 19 I don't exactly have a lot of places to spend money. Came across a You Tube site about use of Pentax Cameras for astro photography. The cameras in Question were Pentax K70, KP, and Pentax K1 & K2 also something was mentioned about "Astrotracer ( guiding system using GPS) Am a Canadian living in a large city . Perhaps some of your members into astrophotography and could throw some ideas my way. I should mention i am fairly new to DSLR cameras as i recently bought my first ever one a Sony A6000 two months ago.

maw · 10-21-2020, 08:23 PM

Hi Edgar42,

Welcome to the pentaxforums,

I think everyone is happy to have you here among us, the K1 / K1 mark2, are the cameras that have the best requirements (also because of the sensor) currently,
but I would not disdain the KP,
if you are not in a hurry wait for the Flagship, it could bring new surprises.

For the optics you don't need a telescope, you can use at the beginning a tele around 300 / 500 mm and a duplicator if needed,
and also a normal/wide-angle lens but that is bright enough from F/1.4 to F/2.8. Then there are many variations, but you can already get started.

Best wishes, Mario

Wasp · 10-21-2020, 08:38 PM

Welcome. The K1 II is a full frame camera with built-in GPS and Astrotracer. The KP is a crop frame and you need an external GPS receiver, sold seperately. Both of these will do a great job.

I wouldn't bother with the K70. It's the red-haired stepchild of the Pentax family - not enough of a discount over the KP to make up for the features that you lose out on.

pakinjapan · 10-21-2020, 08:53 PM

You could count in K3II. It has a built in GPS, no tillable LCD but cheaper than K1. Note that It could be a pain working in the dark with no tillable LCD.

K1 and K1II has builtin GPS and tillable LCD. It could be the best choice if you are willing to spend.

KP and K70 doesn't have a built in GPS so you will have to pay for a separate GPS unit, O-GPS1.

Some good Astrophotography video with Pentax: Video 1 and 5 are directly related to your questions.

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

Last edited by pakinjapan; 10-21-2020 at 09:17 PM.

**Kerrowdown** · 10-22-2020, 02:40 AM

Welcome to the forum from the Highlands of Scotland, looks like you’ve had some great replies already.

ShutterPro · 05-05-2021, 02:25 PM

Hi, welcome to the forums!

Angoosh · 09-27-2023, 03:09 PM

Hi, also new to forum,
I'm a k70 user and I can confirm, that astrophoto is possible with external gps ofcourse. For past few nights I have photographed the pleiades and the results are not bad. If I find a way to add image I'll add it. The tilt screen is a must for me, because I don't have a super sturdy tripod and with my irix 150mm macro I have to reallign every 15mins or so

Angoosh · 09-28-2023, 03:36 AM - **1 Like**

pleiades and orion nebula shot on K70. Lens: Irix 150mm macro F2.8, ISO 800, exposure time 20s. pleiades 286 photos orion 45 photos

OrchidJulie · 09-28-2023, 07:17 AM

Hi, Edgar, welcome to PentaxForums! Lots of astro enthusiasts here, you'll get plenty of suggestions and guidance!

10-21-2020, 07:44 PM - 1 Like	#1
Edgar42 New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 1	Pentax k70 Is this Camera suited for Astrophotography? Hello I am new to this ( a total dweeb) and a late starter ( 78 yrs old) Healthy but not quite up to task of lugging around Refractor or Reflector telescopes. hence my interest in Astrophotography with Camera,Tripod , a few good lenses and possibly a tracking system.. I am a retiree and pensioner therefore am limited as to how much I can spend although I must say with this Covid 19 I don't exactly have a lot of places to spend money. Came across a You Tube site about use of Pentax Cameras for astro photography. The cameras in Question were Pentax K70, KP, and Pentax K1 & K2 also something was mentioned about "Astrotracer ( guiding system using GPS) Am a Canadian living in a large city . Perhaps some of your members into astrophotography and could throw some ideas my way. I should mention i am fairly new to DSLR cameras as i recently bought my first ever one a Sony A6000 two months ago.

09-28-2023, 03:36 AM - 1 Like	#8
Angoosh New Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Ústí nad Orlicí Posts: 5	pleiades and orion nebula shot on K70. Lens: Irix 150mm macro F2.8, ISO 800, exposure time 20s. pleiades 286 photos orion 45 photos Attached Images

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10-21-2020, 08:23 PM	#2
maw Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sassari (Italy) Posts: 1,118	Hi Edgar42, Welcome to the pentaxforums, I think everyone is happy to have you here among us, the K1 / K1 mark2, are the cameras that have the best requirements (also because of the sensor) currently, but I would not disdain the KP, if you are not in a hurry wait for the Flagship, it could bring new surprises. For the optics you don't need a telescope, you can use at the beginning a tele around 300 / 500 mm and a duplicator if needed, and also a normal/wide-angle lens but that is bright enough from F/1.4 to F/2.8. Then there are many variations, but you can already get started. Best wishes, Mario

10-21-2020, 08:38 PM	#3
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Welcome. The K1 II is a full frame camera with built-in GPS and Astrotracer. The KP is a crop frame and you need an external GPS receiver, sold seperately. Both of these will do a great job. I wouldn't bother with the K70. It's the red-haired stepchild of the Pentax family - not enough of a discount over the KP to make up for the features that you lose out on.

10-22-2020, 02:40 AM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Welcome to the forum from the Highlands of Scotland, looks like you’ve had some great replies already.

05-05-2021, 02:25 PM	#6
ShutterPro Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 389	Hi, welcome to the forums!

09-27-2023, 03:09 PM	#7
Angoosh New Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Ústí nad Orlicí Posts: 5	Hi, also new to forum, I'm a k70 user and I can confirm, that astrophoto is possible with external gps ofcourse. For past few nights I have photographed the pleiades and the results are not bad. If I find a way to add image I'll add it. The tilt screen is a must for me, because I don't have a super sturdy tripod and with my irix 150mm macro I have to reallign every 15mins or so

09-28-2023, 07:17 AM	#9
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,937	Hi, Edgar, welcome to PentaxForums! Lots of astro enthusiasts here, you'll get plenty of suggestions and guidance!