Possible to photograph planets with a DSLR?

4 years 5 months ago #665449 by Adam Cuffin
First question is it possible with out a telescope?  

If it can, how large of a lens would be needed?  


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4 years 5 months ago #665450 by Nikon Shooter
The only planet you could get is Venus… and it would,
even with a 600mm, be no bigger the a usual star. Any
other planets will look like a smaller star.

Without a telescope, no go!

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 5 months ago #665458 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Adam

NS has started your replies quite well -

however the astro-photographers I talk to often use a small, 3x zoom pocket camera because it is lightweight, and then clip that onto a special eyepiece attached to their $3000 telescope with all the gizmo stuff to follow the star / planet movement during exposure. You certainly can clip a dSLR body to a big scope, but need stronger fittings

Talk to your local astro club some time :)

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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4 years 5 months ago #665461 by effron
All the planets look like a star until the magnification gets big. Ozzie is correct, even if you have a scope, you need the trackers, equatorial mounts, etc to "photograph" planets....

Why so serious?
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4 years 5 months ago #665462 by effron
After thought, search for a local "star party" and attend....You'll learn a lot.

Why so serious?
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4 years 5 months ago #665505 by garyrhook
Here's a shot of Venus and the moon at 40mm. You should be able to quickly see that no lens is going to get you anything near magnification that will reveal details of a planet.



A quick google reveals that you're looking at magnification factors 200X to 400X, and above 500X you run into problems with the atmosphere. Achieving that level of magnification with just a camera lens is well nigh impossible.

Thus, +1 on the above. Find thee a star party.


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4 years 5 months ago #665586 by Zach Mosher
40mm on what camera Gary?


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4 years 5 months ago #665588 by garyrhook

Zach Mosher wrote: 40mm on what camera Gary?


A Nikon D5100 (crop sensor). 


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4 years 5 months ago #665592 by Zach Mosher
So, 60mm equivalent field of view?  

Nice shot


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4 years 5 months ago #665594 by garyrhook

Zach Mosher wrote: So, 60mm equivalent field of view?


Well, yes, but I don't understand why that would matter?

Nice shot


Thank you. You're very kind.


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4 years 5 months ago #665730 by Adam Cuffin
I have another question, I was looking at telescopes.  I noticed they have 80mm telescopes that are over $1000.  And these see planets.  I'm guessing these optics much be crazy different than an equivalent 80mm camera lens?

BTW thank you for all the answers! 


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4 years 5 months ago - 4 years 5 months ago #665731 by effron
Quite different......If you're serious, join this place and find answers.
https://www.nikonrumors.co/category/nikon-d780/
You will be unhappy with cheap astro gear.

Why so serious?
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4 years 5 months ago - 4 years 5 months ago #665735 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Adam

It seems that you might need to do a bit more research into the topic ... :)

Camera lenses are listed by their focal length, whereas astro lenses are listed by diameter of the front objective (lens) or with catadioptric systems the diameter of the mirror. Maybe a visit to your local astro-mob is now needed

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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