You’ve taken the leap to buy one of the best astrophotography cameras, which is obviously the first and undoubtedly the biggest (and probably the most expensive) step. Sure, you’ll be able to take some amazing shots of the night sky, but we can assure you that even the best astrophotographers will have a whole bunch of accessories to help them get those awe-inspiring shots. If it was just as easy as pointing your camera at a clear sky to get a great shot of the cosmos, everyone would be doing it!
Fortunately, there are many accessories that can help you. Of course, there is no doubt that immense skill, lots of patience and hours spent in the cold are all factors you have to contend with. But we’ve created this guide to point you in the right direction and improve your chances of getting the shots you want. Most importantly, we want you to spend more time shooting than troubleshooting, and this gear will help you do just that.
A lens with a large aperture
Astrophotographers need a lens that collects a lot of light. Motifs are often, to the naked eye, small spots of light surrounded by darkness. A fast or wide-aperture lens, such as an f/1.4 lens, is popular for astrophotography because it collects far more light than slower, narrower lenses, which is essential when photographing the night sky.
A wider aperture means you can use shorter exposure times. When the shutter is open for a shorter time, the star images are sharper because the full exposure occurs before the Earth’s rotation causes the trailing star.
High ISO settings result in image noise; lenses with wider apertures (allowing for lower ISO settings) will therefore produce cleaner images. This is especially important if you are capturing faint stars. Here are a couple of fast lenses we’ve reviewed and recommend.
A good stand
Tripods are essential for all types of long exposure photography. Even the slightest wobble during shooting will show up in your image. Camera shake is far more likely when the shutter is open for seconds rather than opening and closing in bright daylight.
In astrophotography, exposure times must be much longer, even when using a fast, large aperture lens like the ones we discussed above. A solid tripod is therefore essential, which keeps the camera absolutely still during the entire exposure and preserves sharp details in the stars and other celestial objects.
A star tracker
Star trackers compensate for the Earth’s rotation by slowly moving the camera in sync with the sky, keeping the subject still during long exposures.
This makes it possible to capture sharper stars and fainter details without lag, even at slower shutter speeds. While there aren’t countless models available, there are enough variations to suit different cameras and experience levels, making it well worth exploring our dedicated guide to the best star trackers to find the right match for you and your setup.
Stargazing apps
Stargazing apps are the modern alternative to traditional star charts. They take a lot of the guesswork out of your shooting sessions and help you point the camera exactly where it needs to be. They are also valuable learning tools away from the camera, giving you a clearer understanding of the night sky, from planets and constellations to seasonal patterns and deep sky objects. Spend some time exploring one and you’ll quickly learn the best times and places to shoot from, as well as what’s realistically within reach for your setup.
