#110 in Camera accessories
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Reddit mentions of iOptron 3302B SkyTracker Camera Mount - Black
Sentiment score: 5
Reddit mentions: 9
We found 9 Reddit mentions of iOptron 3302B SkyTracker Camera Mount - Black. Here are the top ones.
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Auto-tracking for smooth camera motion perfect for long-term exposuresIncludes AccuAligning dark-field illuminated polar scopeNew features include: increased payload of 7.7 lbs. and an adjustable AZ base for polar aligning.Attaches to virtually any camera tripod.Other features include: Cast-aluminum solid body, integrated compass, and geared latitude adjustment wedge for easy polar alignment
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 8 Inches |
| Length | 8 Inches |
| Weight | 3.6 Pounds |
| Width | 4 Inches |
My current equipment :
Using these, I manage to get these : Album
I want to further my astrophotography, but realize I would need better equipment to better these.
Which of these would be best bang for my buck for a step forward with astrophotography?
I know a good answer to this would be 'everything', but I can't get myself to spend a lot of $$ at this moment. I could spend a few hundred on one of these, and then at a later point re-evaluate.
Thanks for hooking me into this awesome hobby!
Does she own a nice tripod already? If so, the iOptron Skytracker is the perfect gift for the entry level astrophotography, even a lot of people who own tons of nice equipment would love one of these. You get great tracking for widefield skyscape shots, but it is in a super compact little tracker instead of lugging out one of our huge EQ mounts. Not only that though, it is even easier to use and much less daunting than jumping straight into something like an EQ mount.
I know it is at the upper range for your budget at $300, but you can snag it used for $250 here if it hasn't sold yet. Or $260 from Amazon. I checked Astromart for you since you don't have to make an account, and the only one for sale over there is the same guy on CN.
If this is too far out your budget, I am not sure what would be the most cost effective per benefits thing to get around that price range. Like there are tons of objects, just they wouldn't be super useful as a beginner. Like a clip in LPS/CLS/UHC filter, a guide camera or guide scope, PixInsight, etc.
If all else fails you can get this beautiful Orion nebula bracelet from astrophotographer Terry Hancock or some other space themed jewelry (like maybe a ring made from a meteor or something).
But really, I have no idea. Shopping for girls is hard.
For wide angle stuff, there are some pretty affordable solutions.
A small tracker like this: http://www.amazon.com/iOptron-3302B-SkyTracker-Camera-Mount/dp/B00EFRN1GE would allow exposures of a couple minutes with a wide angle lens and just replaces a tripod head.
You might want to consider a sky tracker, using it with an existing lens.
http://www.amazon.com/iOptron-3302B-SkyTracker-Camera-Mount/dp/B00EFRN1GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449590626&sr=8-1&keywords=ioptron+skytracker
http://smile.amazon.com/iOptron-3302B-SkyTracker-Camera-Mount/dp/B00EFRN1GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453420545&sr=8-1&keywords=ioptron
haha, I wouldn't downgrade. But I will sell mine as well someday, when I upgrade!
You can do this with any camera capable of recording a time lapse, mounted to something that tracks stars.This is one example. It is basically an electric motor driving a mounting plate. The motor is geared so it completes 1 rotation in 24 hours. The rotation axis of the mount is aligned exactly with the North Celestial Pole (very close to the Pole Star) or the South Celestial Pole, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere. It rotates so as to exactly cancel the apparent rotation of the sky caused by the Earth's rotation.
This is also one way in which astronomical telescopes are mounted, and it is what allows them to keep them centred on the same star/galaxy/whatever for the hours it can take to make a long exposure image. It is known as an Equatorial Mount.
More accurately, 23H56M, known as Sidereal Time
Is this the sort of ball head that you are referring to?
http://www.amazon.com/iOptron-3305-SkyTracker-Ball-Black/dp/B00ED2PNYY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1412439471&sr=1-4&keywords=ioptron+skytracker
Is that all you would need? Or do you also need the "other part" that you have in your photo below?
As in... one of these guys...
http://www.amazon.com/iOptron-3302B-SkyTracker-Camera-Mount/dp/B00EFRN1GE/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_y
A lot of widefield Astrophotography is just done with a widefield camera Lens, the camera+lens is either piggy backed on the OTA itself or on the mount itself with some attachments or on a purpose built camera tripod like this or a tripod attachment.
There's a nice video about recommended lenses here.
Awesome info, thank you, is it difficult to polar align well? I am using this tracker.