Double Cluster Celestron C5 f/6.3 Canon 600D L-Pro filter August 2023
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by astronomy. I spent countless nights gazing at the sky, back when the stars were still vividly visible. Thanks to one of my oldest friends, I had my first experience with a 60mm achromatic refractor, and I’ll never forget the awe I felt when I first set my eyes on Saturn.
After earning my high school diploma in 1992, I bought my first telescope—a compact 114mm Newtonian reflector on a lightweight equatorial mount. Eager to capture what I saw, I dusted off my father’s old Pentax SP camera and took my first steps into astrophotography. That moment marked the true beginning of my passion.
Now, after more than 25 years of experience, I’ve decided to create this website and blog to share my journey, techniques, and insights—especially in astrophotography. This is a hobby that anyone can enjoy, regardless of scientific background. However, to achieve the best results, a deeper dive into the technical aspects is often necessary. I strongly believe in sharing knowledge, as reading books and online articles alone isn’t enough to fully grasp the complexity of mastering this craft.
Over the years, I’ve worked with a variety of instruments, from simple setups to more advanced configurations. My collection includes a 70mm short achromat, a 102mm f/10 refractor, several APOs (40mm, 60mm, and 72mm), a compact 90mm Maksutov, and a 125mm SCT. My mounting options range from a Vixen Polarie star tracker (in different configurations) to a Vixen Great Polaris and a Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi for both observation and astrophotography.
For imaging, I use a Canon 600D along with two CMOS cameras—a ZWO 224MC and a ZWO 585MC—to capture deep-sky and planetary objects. To adapt to different field conditions, I rely on various laptops and mini-PC setups to orchestrate everything seamlessly.
In the blog section, I share my experiences with different optical and mount configurations for various purposes. I discuss how I set them up, the challenges I face, and the solutions I discover along the way. My goal is to help others navigate this incredible hobby by offering practical insights, troubleshooting tips, and hands-on guidance.