Some stargazers are happy to look, while others want to save far-off galaxies for the future with the best telescopes for astrophotography. Your choice of telescope comes, in part, down to what kind of astrophotography you want to do. A telescope that details the moon’s every last crevice is different from a model that lets you make the Andromeda Galaxy your next piece of wall art. Interplanetary photos are a different ball game, too.
It’s also important to start with a budget in mind. You can easily spend well over $1,000 and will probably spend at least that much for a model that results in high-quality images. However, there are a few budget-friendly models worth considering as well. Take a look at our list of the best telescopes for astrophotography for the models that fit different gazing and astrophotography goals, budgets, and portability needs.
— Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope
— Best for Deep Space: Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope
— Best Portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
— Best for Beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
— Best Budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope
How We Picked the Best Telescopes for Astrophotography
Methodology
We picked telescopes based on the quality of their build, their optics, field of view, and focal ratio.
Build Quality: We avoided models with plastic pieces and cheap housing, except when looking at budget models. Build quality can affect the ability of the telescope to stay aligned and with viewing quality.
Optics: Everything from the aperture to the included eye pieces were factored into the optics. Telescopes have many parts and finding the right mix is key to achieving your viewing and astrophotography goals.
Field of View: Field of view affects the kind of objects you can photograph. We included those with a narrow field of view for closer objects and wider fields of view for deep-sky objects.
Focal Ratio: The focal ratio affects the speed of the telescope and determines what kind of objects you’ll be able to photograph. We included models on both ends of the spectrum, including middle of the road options for those who want an all purpose telescope for astrophotography. To capture more stunning views, explore our guide to the best 360 cameras.
The Best Telescopes for Astrophotography: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: This Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope may have an f/15 optical ratio, but it can capture images of objects near and far, making it the best telescope for astrophotography.
Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/15
— Weight: 17.1 pounds
— Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
Pros:
— Bright clear views for in-solar system objects
— Capable of deep-sky viewing and images
— Relatively compact for the viewing power
— Includes 1.25-inch adapter
Cons:
— Doesn’t come with a mount
The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope is a compound telescope that offers a long focal length in a relatively compact design. It weighs 17 pounds, and you get excellent, clear views of the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects.
A 1.25-inch adapter comes with the telescope, so you can directly attach a DSLR camera and get snapping once you’ve located the desired object. The f/15 focal ratio does mean it’s considered a slow telescope so taking deep-sky shots is a little harder. However, as long as those objects are bright, this telescope can capture the images.
Keep in mind that this model doesn’t come with a mount. You’ll have to purchase one separately. Depending on the type you choose, they can be pricey.
Best for Deep Space: Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: This model’s five-inch APO refractor can target faint deep-sky objects, making it the best telescope for deep-space astrophotography.
Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/7.5
— Weight: 18 pounds (21 pounds with finder)
— Optical Design: Triplet Refractor
Pros:
— Excellent build quality
— Works with a wide range of accessories
— Can mount a DSLR camera to the cradle handle with additional accessory
— Light enough to be portable with handle on the tube rings
Cons:
— Does not include mount
— Cannot be used with a focal reducer
The Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope is a versatile telescope that can take (with the right accessories) photos of galaxies and other deep-sky objects. Even in poor light conditions, the ED127 can capture impressive images.
It comes with a 1.25-inch eyepiece adapter that fits some astrophotography cameras, but you may need a T-adapter for certain DSLR cameras. This model also gets points for portability thanks to the handle on the tube rings. The handle makes it easy to mount despite its power and weight.
However, this model doesn’t come with a mount, so you’ll have to purchase one separately, adding several hundred dollars to the cost. Additionally, this model cannot be used with a focal reducer, limiting its use in certain types of astrophotography.
Best Portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
Why It Made The Cut: This model’s small size hides the power and clarity that it offers more serious astrophotographers, making it the best portable telescope for astrophotography.
Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/7.5
— Weight: 7.3 pounds
— Optical Design: Refractor
Pros:
— Impressive optical image quality
— Lets you delve into professional-quality astrophotography
— CA stays controlled with the doublet and moderate focal ratio
Cons:
— Not a good choice for beginners
— Expensive
— Includes only the tube with a few accessories
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor offers an impressive array of optics that create vivid detail and image quality. However, attaining that quality may require the purchase of a few extra accessories. Consequently, this isn’t a model for beginners.
However, for advanced beginners, intermediate, and even some advanced astrophotographers, the EvoStar 80 provides the quality and ability to travel with the telescope. At only 7.3 pounds, you can take it to the local mountaintop for a broader range of spectacular views as you escape light pollution. The optical specs, including a 1.45 Dawes limit, 1.75 Rayleigh limit, and 12 limiting magnitude, squeeze every last ounce of optical quality, especially in a tube this size.
If you know what you’re doing and you’re serious enough in astrophotography to know the difference between good and great optical quality, this is a portable telescope that will not disappoint.
Best for Beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: The 114LCM gets beginners started on the right foot with easy setup and identification, making it the best beginner astrophotography telescope.
Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/9
— Weight: 13.2 pounds
— Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
Pros:
— Quick, straightforward assembly
— Computerized mount makes it easier to identify and target objects
— Includes Sky Tour button to get familiar with the night sky
Cons:
— Cannot take deep-sky images
The Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope not only lets beginners start taking photographs right away but also introduces them to the night sky. The included mount even has a Sky Tour button that takes users on a guided journey through the heavens. While it doesn’t have the optics to do deep-sky astrophotography, you can connect a webcam, astrophotography camera, or mobile phone to start taking photos.
You don’t have to be an expert to assemble the telescope and get started right away, which is key for beginners. This model is also relatively lightweight and portable.
Best Budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope
Why It Made The Cut: The 130 EQ stays under $500 and provides sharp, clear views of in-solar system objects for astrophotography, making it the best affordable telescope for astrophotography.
Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/5
— Weight: 28 pounds
— Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
Pros:
— Good views of solar system and moon for the price
— Red dot finder makes it easier to target
— Affordable price for a telescope that can be used for basic planetary and moon photography
Cons:
— Mount can be difficult to adjust
— Parts feel cheap
The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope is one of the best telescopes for astrophotography under $500. While the quality of the build and accessories can sometimes reflect the low price, users get excellent views of the moon and planets. That’s also where this telescope shines when it comes to astrophotography: closer objects. A red dot finder, which shines a red dot on the lens, helps users hone in on their target, too.
You can use this telescope for viewing deep-sky objects, but your chances of getting a good photo at those longer distances aren’t great with this model.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Telescopes for Astrophotography
Mount Type
Before you invest in a telescope, consider what type of mount you already have or the mount that comes with the telescope. The mount is especially important if you want to take long exposure (slow) images.
Mount importance comes down to the fact that the Earth is rotating, which alters the location of the object as you’re taking a photo. Without the right mount, you can end up with blurred images or images with a visible trail.
One of the best options for astrophotography is the equatorial mount. These mounts require only one axis adjustment to follow the object. In comparison, an alt-azimuth mount requires adjusting two axis while you’re trying to track the object. Mounts can be manual or automatic. Automatic equatorial mounts are more expensive, but they leave you free to change eyepieces or take photos.
Keep in mind that although a telescope may come with one kind of mount, you can buy a different mount separately.
Focal Ratio
The focal ratio is the telescope’s focal length divided by the aperture. The resulting number is the f/number, such as f/4 or f/11. A smaller focal ratio, those below f/5, indicates a faster telescope in that it gathers light at a faster rate than a model with a slower focal rate. These models are fast and have a wider field of view, making them more suited to deep-sky photography. They have shorter focal lengths (the distance between the eyepiece and the lens), which also makes them lighter and easier to carry.
Slow telescopes have a focal ratio of f/8 or higher. Their longer focal lengths require slower shutter speeds to gather the same amount of light as a slow telescope. They have a narrower field of view but capture greater detail, making them a better choice for images within our solar system, like the moon or planets.
Optical Design
There are many types of telescopes, but those most pertinent to astrophotography include:
— Refractor telescopes
— Reflecting telescopes
— Schmidt-Cassegrain
— Maksutov-Cassegrain
Refractor telescopes: Refractor telescopes are one of the most popular astrophotography telescope types. They give you more ability to correct chromatic aberration. Chromatic aberration is when light rays focus at different points, creating different colors around the object's borders. Refractor telescopes provide more adjustments to fix this problem. They come in APO (apochromatic) and semi-APO design, with APO offering the best chromatic aberration correction.
Reflecting telescopes: Newtonian and Gregorian telescopes fall into this category. They have mirrors instead of lenses. The Newtonian Dobsonian telescopes are among the most affordable and easiest telescopes to use, making them a good choice for beginners. However, depending on the targeted object, they don’t typically offer the best optical quality as some of the other types of telescopes.
Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain: Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are both catadioptric (also called compound telescopes) models. They’re a hybrid between refractor and reflector telescopes, having both lenses and mirrors. These models offer great optical correction features like refractor telescopes and provide long focal lengths in a relatively short tube for greater detail (and photographs) with a smaller telescope.
FAQs
Q: What is the best telescope for astrophotography?
The Sky-Watcher Skymax provides a balance between size and weight, focal length and ratio, and price. This model’s f/15 focal ratio provides better views of the planets and the moon than deep-space objects. However, the design gives it a wider field of view than similar telescopes, allowing for impressive deep-space images for those with the skill to acquire their target. This telescope is a great option for someone who wants to dabble in both deep space and in-solar system astrophotography.
Q: Do you need a special telescope for astrophotography?
You don’t necessarily need a special telescope for astrophotography. Many telescopes that aren’t designed specifically for astrophotography have connectors or accessories that connect the telescope to a DSLR camera or mobile phone for photography purposes. Several of the telescopes on our list fall into this category. However, other models are designed specifically for astrophotography. These models range from those that are basically a camera lens that acts like a telescope to telescopes that connect directly to a DSLR camera. You can go either route. Beginners typically begin with a general telescope that can be used for astrophotography, while astrophotography veterans opt for specialty equipment.
Q: Which telescope is best to see galaxies?
The Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope is the best telescope for seeing and photographing galaxies. The f/7.5 focal ratio, however, also makes it a great option if you want to take shots of closer objects too. It’s a large telescope that offers incredible views both near and far, but it’s hard to beat its deep-sky abilities.
Q: What size telescope do I need to photograph galaxies?
The size of the telescope’s field of view, which you’ll find on model’s with small focal ratios, makes a bigger difference for photographing galaxies than the telescope’s overall size. A wide field of view makes it easier to track and find deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas. Having said that, a telescope with an eight-inch or higher aperture will help you see and photograph galaxies better, too.
Q: Can you use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography?
You can use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography as long as the object is bright and clear. Dim, faint objects won’t produce very good photos with these telescopes. They’re better suited for photographing the moon on a bright night or bright planets.
Q: What is a good starter telescope for astrophotography?
Both the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope and the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great starter telescopes. Celestron is also well known for its customer service, which can be helpful for beginners. These models will still take some getting used to, but the computerized 114LCM can help newbies find and track objects much faster than a manual mount. The AstroMaster offers good optics for the price, giving beginners a chance to decide if they want to invest in a more expensive telescope later on. Budding astronomers may also be interested in exploring the cosmos virtually with the best space games.
Final Thoughts on the Best Telescopes for Astrophotography
— Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope
— Best for Deep Space: Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope
— Best Portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
— Best for Beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
— Best Budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope
The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope offers the best blend of quality with image quality. Its price makes it more feasible for experienced astrophotographers, but you’ll get images with quality that are well above the price. If you’re on a budget, the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope or Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great options. The 114LCM’s SkyTour and automatic mount make it a great choice for beginners.
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