astrophotography tour





This session is only run on clear moonless nights and is the final session of the evening.

This show is limited to one person. No extra people can be brought with you, and is just exclusive for you.

You need to bring a compatible DSLR or mirrorless camera. A wide angle lens is good to bring if you want photos of constellations.
Or you can use our Canon RA camera and variety of lenses. Just bring your SD Card or purchase an SD card from our gift shop.

Your camera needs to be fairly modern, best not to be more than 5 years old.

What photos we take depends on the equipment you bring.

Photos are taken of nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters through our 17" telescope and 3" telescope. Note planets do not work with these sorts of cameras.

We can also take a photo of the Milky Way if you have a a suitable wide angle lens.

Also we can take photos of constellations if you bring your wide angle lens. If you have a canon camera you can use our lenses including our fisheye lens to take an allsky photo can be taken.

The length of the show depends on what equipment you bring.
If you use our camera it will go for 2 hours.
If you have a canon camera , with an EF fitting we can fit our lenses to it, the show can go for 2 hours.
If you have another brand camera we just take photos through the telescope for 90 minutes, unless you have your own wide angle lens.

This session is available only on clear nights between 3rd Quarter Moon to First Quarter Moon.

* Only certain brands and models are compatible with the telescope. Read more on the section "Compatible cameras"



Examples Using a canon 80D DSLR Camera



(1) Eta Carina Nebula Canon 3" telescope. (2) Horsehead and Flame Nebula 3" telescope (3) Canon DSLR on 17"scope
(4) First Qtr Moon 17" Telescope (5) Orion Nebula 17" telescope (6) Milky Way Fisheye Lens



compatible cameras





We use a T-Ring with a bayonet fitting to attach to your camera body.

On the other side of the T-ring is a T2 thread where our T-adapter screws in. This then slides into the back of the telescope and secured.


Different camera brands and sometimes different models within a brand take different bayonet fittings and therefore our T-Rings are not compatible with all cameras.


The following cameras are compatible.

Canon DSLR cameras that fit an EF lens


Canon Mirrorless that have an attachment that allows an EF lens to be attached


Nikon DSLR Cameras


Pentax K DSLR Cameras


​Sony Cameras including mirrorless

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Other brands and Mirrorless cameras of various brands are not compatible with our T-rings unless you bring your own T-ring.


The T-ring needs to be able to fit our T-adapter with the T2 thread. Our telescope has a narrow focus range so only our T-adapter can be used. Your T-ring cannot be more than 1cm in diameter (ie 1cm protruding from your camera once connected.)



camera settings





We can take the photos for you or you can do it yourself.

You will need to know your camera settings well and it is best to test it before you come without the lens attached to ensure your camera can take pictures manually while the lens is not attached.

You will need a remote shutter release in order to take exposures longer than 30 seconds. Most cameras cannot take exposures longer than 30 seconds without this. We have some that fit most models of Canon (RS-60E3, RS-80N3), Nikon cameras (MC-DC2, MC-30A). Most pentax cameras are compatible with the canon RS60E3.If you have a Nikon camera, make sure it does take a remote shutter release as I have seen some that have no where to connect one. We have an old Minolta type that fits some sony models

Know how to adjust the following settings
Manual or Bulb setting
Exposure time and Bulb setting
ISO sensitivity
Mirror lock sometimes helps.
Turning on and off the rear display
Turning on and off the live view.
Enabling a remote shutter release to be functional (essential for Nikons)

If you have not familiarised yourself with your camera, much of the hour will be wasted working out your camera and time will be up with not many pictures taken.



Times and Dates





Note the tour is not available when there is a bright Moon.

between third quarter and first quarter moon is best.


This session is held late after the telescope viewing and Premium shows are finished.

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May: 10:30pm

June: 10:30pm

July: 10:30pm (12:30am in school holidays)

August: 10:30pm

September: 10:30pm Excluding school holidays

October: 11:30pm excluding school holidays

November: 12:30am

December: 12:30am



Prices





$150 per person


10% surcharge applies on Sundays

15% surcharge applies on Public Holidays


Cancellations

A refund is only given if we can resell your ticket.


Bad Weather

We do not run this tour if its overcast or raining. We send a text message 45 mins prior to you on your Australian mobile phone number provided. If you don't have one, please advise us of a way of contacting you.



Objects we intend to photograph in june

(Minimum 12 of the following objects)





11:45pm


Emission Nebulae:

Eta Carina Nebula

Lagoon Nebula

Trifid Nebula

Swan Nebula

Eagle Nebula

Cats Paw Nebula

Lobster Nebula

Running Chicken Nebula


Planetary Nebulae

Nil


Galaxies

Centaurus A

Southern Pinwheel Galaxy


Globular Clusters:

Omega Centauri

47 Tucanae


Open Clusters

Jewel Box

Gem Cluster

Pincushion Cluster

Southern Beehive Cluster

Butterfly Cluster

Ptolemys Cluster


Other

All sky photo with a canon camera.

Constellation photo of your choice if you bring a wide angle lens, e.g. Southern Cross.


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Enquiries: 0488 425 940
Email: peter@dubboobservatory.com