Hobbies And Interests
Assessing Needs
Before shopping for a telescope camera, consider your experience level and whether you are looking for a device modeled for a beginner or a more advanced instrument. Your budget also is important. Decide whether you want to do high-resolution work that can capture the planets and moons or wide-field astrophotography for images of the deep sky, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Portability, size and weight of the device also should be considered.
Attributes
Telescopes usually are described in terms of aperture, while camera lenses are described in terms of focal length. Aperture is the size of the telescope's opening through which its mirror or lens gathers light. The cost of the device will increase alone with the aperture size. But keep in mind that optical quality is important. Larger apertures mean more focal length, which is the distance from the mirror or lens at which the light is focused. A longer focal point will mean higher magnification or larger images.
Optical Systems
Refractive telescope cameras bend refracted light using curved lenses, which depend upon the refractive index of glass and wavelength of light. These types of telescope cameras are good for deep-sky astrophotography as well as lunar and planetary work.
Most reflector telescope cameras have an open tube design, with the main mirror at the bottom of the tube. One example is the Newtonian model, which might offer a great price and value but will require regular maintenance. Ritchey-Chretien is another model of telescope camera that has two hyperboloid mirrors.
Schmidt-Newtonians combine a Schmidt corrector plate at the front of the tube with a Newtonian optical configuration. Similar to a Newtonian tube, a small, flat secondary mirror is used to send the focal plane out the side of the tube. Another hybrid design, the Makstov-Cassegrains, has interchangeable secondary mirrors that will allow you to switch between Newtonian configurations for a longer focal length in a slower optical system.
Tips for Buying
Steer clear of department store telescope cameras because you will get what you pay for. A good mount is just as important as a good telescope camera. A small aperture refractor is best if you are new to astrophotography.