Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Sounds like you got a great deal on that C11. A simple tracker that mounts on a tripod like the sky watcher works for exposures up to a few minutes with lens up to 200mm. These trackers work well when polar aligned and come with a built in polar alignment scope if you want wide views of the sky and keep the stars in the image round. The cost new is ~$320, of course this can get addictive as with any hobby that you enjoy.

baer

Thank you!

Malco

Best advise is to join a local astronomy club. Astro photography is equipment is quit expensive. A good solid equatorial mount is anywhere from 8 to 10K not including a telescope which might be another 3 to 6K.
Again join an astronomy club and check out what equipment others are using before buying anything.
Mal

tony85629 Loc: Sahuarita, Az

Dito on joining a local astronomy club. Astrophotography is a very complex and potentially expensive hobby.
The club members will provide valuable advise and recommendations on a starter setup. Also you will get invaluable guidance and help as you progress up the steep learning curve.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Start your astrophotography with a standard camera, lenses and a tripod. Lots of great targets to shoot with anything from a 14mm to 300mm lens. Just up the ISO and keep the exposure below that recommended by the 500 Rule (Exposure(sec)=500/focal length) and shoot lots of subs.

Start out with a star trail using a ~14mm lens. It'll get you used to working in the dark, getting a good star focus and postprocessing.

Move on to the summer Milky Way with a 24-50mm lens. In winter the Orion is a great target.

Take a shot at the Andromeda galaxy with a 200mm lens. Yes, Andromeda is about three times the apparent size of the Moon.

When you've mastered the above then is the time to consider a telescope and a tracking mount. BUT don't get falsely drawn into the money pit of thinking you need a monster scope. A nice 400-600mm (focal length) is a great telescope. And probably a max of 1000-1200mm (see below) is more than adequate for deep sky imaging and even some planetary imaging.

Also consider the weight of your scope and mount. An imaging configuration is not of much use if you don't want to tackle setting it up!

See https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-598867-1.html#10286590 for some examples.

Clear skies!

bwa

Jupiter & Moons - Shot with a 1000mm scope

(Download)

Messier 13 Globular Star Cluster - Shot with a 1000mm scope

(Download)

Moon - Shot with a 1000mm scope

(Download)

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Not that you aren't getting good advice here, but you really need to check out https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html

RickMiddleton32

I have dealt with High Point Scientific and have found them to be extremely helpful. A power bank that I purchased was having some issues and they spent some time working on the problem over the phone and ended up sending me a new cable which solved the issue and they did it for free. No questions or drama. Just nice polite help. I have also called in with questions about accessories and they have been able to take the time to discuss my questions and were honest and open about their products and products that other companies sell. They have earned my trust.