Astrophotography Gear

At AstroFrame, capturing the beauty of the universe requires precision, patience, and top-quality astrophotography equipment. From wide-field views of vibrant nebulae to detailed images of distant galaxies and planets, each piece of gear plays a vital role in bringing these celestial wonders to life. Whether you’re an astrophotography enthusiast or just curious about how these breathtaking space images are made, this page gives you an inside look at the telescopes, cameras, and tools I use to create the high-quality astrophotography prints featured at AstroFrame.

Telescopes I Use

Sharpstar Z4

482mm f/5.5

This telescope is my go-to for capturing deep-sky objects in stunning detail. The Sharpstar Z4 features a 100mm aperture and a fast f/5.5 focal ratio, making it perfect for wide-field astrophotography. Its 6-element design minimizes optical distortions, ensuring sharp and color-accurate images of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

William Optics Redcat 51

250mm f/4.9

The RedCat 51 is a highly portable refractor telescope perfect for capturing wide-field views of the night sky. With a 51mm aperture and f/4.9 focal ratio, it’s ideal for large nebulae and star fields. Its APO (apochromatic) lens design eliminates color fringing, ensuring sharp and vibrant images.

Sky-Watcher Skymax 180

2700mm f/15

For planetary imaging and closer views of the Moon and planets, I use the Sky-Watcher Skymax 180. Its 7-inch aperture and long focal length allow me to capture incredible detail, from the craters of the Moon to the cloud bands of Jupiter. This Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope is compact and provides excellent contrast and clarity.

Astronomy Cameras

ZWO ASI1600MM Pro

This monochrome camera is perfect for capturing fine details in deep-sky objects when paired with narrowband filters

ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

A cooled color camera with a high-resolution 26MP sensor. Its 3.76um pixels capture stunning detail and minimize noise, even during long exposures.

ZWO ASI585MC

This color camera is designed for high-frame-rate imaging, making it perfect for capturing fine details of planets and the Moon.

ZWO ASI120MM Mini Mono Camera

This small but powerful camera is ideal for guiding, ensuring precise tracking for long exposure images.

Canon EOS-R

The Canon EOS-R is the go-to for capturing stunning lunar details. Its full-frame sensor and low-light capabilities deliver sharp, detailed images of the Moon’s surface, highlighting every crater and texture with incredible clarity.

Astrophotography Mounts

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount

The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is my main stationary mount, set up in my backyard year-round. With a 30 lb payload capacity and excellent tracking accuracy, it’s perfect for deep-sky imaging. Its sturdy build ensures stability for long exposures, making it essential for capturing detailed celestial images.

ZWO AM5 Mount

The ZWO AM5 is my go-to travel mount, combining portability and precision. With a 20 kg payload capacity and ±10 arcsecond tracking, it handles long exposures effortlessly. Its handy controls and wireless functionality make it perfect for planetary photography and on-the-go astrophotography.

Astronomy Filters

Antlia Ha, SII, and OIII 3nm Pro Highspeed Filters

I rely on the Antlia 3nm Pro Highspeed Filters with my ASI1600MM monochrome camera to capture incredible deep-sky details. These narrowband filters isolate specific wavelengths: Ha highlights hydrogen regions, SII reveals sulfur emissions, and OIII showcases oxygen in nebulae. By using these filters individually, I can enhance contrast, reduce light pollution, and bring out vibrant structures in nebulae. They’re essential for creating high-quality astrophotography prints, showing the beauty and complexity of space.

Optolong L-Ultimate 3nm Dual Narrowband Filter

I use the Optolong L-Ultimate 3nm Dual Narrowband Filter with my ASI2600MC Pro camera for stunning astrophotography prints. This dualband filter isolates H-alpha and O-III wavelengths, making it ideal for capturing nebulae. With a color camera, it enhances contrast and reduces light pollution, allowing vibrant space details to shine through even in challenging conditions.