Celestar Manual
Celestial Photography
53
CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
After looking at the night sky for a while you may want to try photographing it. Several forms of celestial
photography are possible with your Celestar telescope. The most common forms of celestial photography,
in order of difficulty are; short exposure prime focus, piggyback, eyepiece projection, and long exposure
deep sky. Each of these is 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 state-of-the-art equipment. For example, you don't need auto focus capability or mirror lock up.
Here are the mandatory features a camera needs for celestial photography. First, a “B” setting which
allows for time exposures. This excludes point and shoot cameras and limits the selection to SLR cameras,
the most common type of 35mm camera on the market today.
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 100-percent functional. The light meter, for example, does not have to be
operational since you will be determining the exposure length manually.
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.
SHORT EXPOSURE PRIME FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Short exposure prime focus photography is the best way to begin recording celestial objects. It is done
with the camera attached to the telescope without an eyepiece or camera lens in place. To attach your
camera you need the Celestron T-Adapter (#93633-A) and a T-Ring for your specific camera (i.e., Minolta,
Nikon, Pentax, etc.). The T-Ring replaces the 35mm SLR camera's normal lens. Prime focus photography
allows you to capture the majority of the lunar disk or solar disk. To attach your camera to your Celestar
telescope.
1.
Remove all visual accessories.
2.
Thread the T-Ring onto the T-Adapter.
3.
Mount your camera body onto the T-Ring the same as you would any other lens.
4.
Thread the T-Adapter onto the back of the Celestron Celestar telescope while holding the camera in
the desired orientation (either vertical or horizontal).
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