Category Archives: Astrophotography

The Celestron NextStar 4SE telescope is compact and powerful, a common feature among Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes, and it’s now $200 off.

These telescopes have several mirrors which reflect and bend the light to create an image. The benefit of these mirrors is that optical aberration is heavily reduced and they have a relatively high focal length in a short tube. Furthermore, the Starbright XLT coating further increases the image quality by collecting as much light as possible. Currently, you can pick up the Celestron Nexstar 4SE & PowerTank Lithium LT Telescope Battery card right now for $598.95.

This telescope also comes with a wedge that can be used as an equatorial mount. However, it’s worth noting that the motor capabilities in the wedge are not designed for long-exposure astrophotography.  

You can check out our Celestron NexStar 4SE review for a more detailed look at it, but interestingly this telescope also features in our guide for Best beginner telescopes too.

Where the 4SE excels, particularly at its price point of $598.95, is in planetary details such as the rings of Saturn or the close bands on Jupiter. Lunar observations reveal intricate surface features with stunning clarity. Even deep sky objects like star clusters and nebulae exhibit good levels of detail.

The 4SE includes a wedge that can be used as an equatorial mount. However, the motor capabilities in the wedge are not suitable to be used for long-exposure astrophotography. Where this does eclipse other telescopes at the same price point is close celestial body observations (Planets and Moons). As mentioned above Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes have long focal lengths and the 4SE follows suit. It comes with a 1325mm focal length which aids it in providing quality images.

Celestron telescopes boast a unique feature called SkyGoTo technology, incorporating computerized and motorized control systems that simplify the process of locating celestial objects. Supported by a vast database of over 40,000 objects, this technology utilizes the telescope mount to accurately position the 4SE. An accompanying app interfaces with the mount, enabling the selection of objects for observation. The only drawback is that the alignment process requires manual input, necessitating the user to point the telescope toward the desired celestial body. However, once aligned, the SkyGoTo system aids in effortlessly locating and tracking objects of interest.

The Celestron 4SE telescope typically operates on eight double AA batteries, and this deal includes Celestron’s own brand power bank, providing over eight hours of continuous use. This eliminates the need for additional accessories, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Additionally, the 4SE comes with a 25mm eyepiece, which, when combined with the 1325mm focal length, offers a 1.2-degree viewing angle. To further increase the viewing angle, you have the option of purchasing a 32mm eyepiece. Although this telescope has one or two minor drawbacks they are far outweighed by the brilliant viewing experience. 

Looking for a great camera for astrophotography? This Canon EOS Rebel T7 deal at Walmart might be just the thing.

This 24.1 Megapixel snapper is already priced competitively relative to other DSLR options, and its ease of use makes it an ideal pick for beginners – particularly those looking for the best astrophotography camera (opens in new tab) without spending astrophotography prices.

Better yet, Walmart has cut over $130 off of the MSRP (opens in new tab), bringing it down to comfortably under $400 – a huge deal for anyone looking to get started in the field but still wants plenty of great features.

Having a good camera, despite the constrained package, was one of Google’s tentpoles in designing the Pixel Fold, and here’s a brief look at that.

The Pixel Fold’s main camera is a 48 MP Quad PD with OIS + CLAF sensor. There’s a ƒ/1.7 aperture, 82° field of view, 0.8 μm pixel width, and both optical and electronic image stabilization (OIS + EIS).

Given the foldable design, you can use that main lens to take what Google calls Rear Camera Selfies where you leverage the device’s best lens and get a live preview in the process. Besides Dave Burke’s on-stage selfie, here are two more examples from Google:

The physical form factor also means the Pixel Fold can remain very still, which allows for Astrophotography. Camera controls will appear on the bottom half of the screen.

During the rest of the day, you can take Tabletop shots where the Fold is L-shaped (or propped up like a tent). What’s particularly neat is that you can have the countdown timer initiate by raising your palm with gesture recognition in. Google Camera.

There’s also the 10.8 MP ultrawide camera (ƒ/2.2, 121.1° FOV, and 1.25 μm), as well as the 10.8 MP dual PD telephoto camera that’s folded and one of the components Google optimized to fit. Like the Pixel 7 Pro, it offers 5x optical zoom, though Super Res Zoom is down to 20x from 30x. Other key specs there include: 

• ƒ/3.05 aperture
• 21.9° field of view
• 1.22 μm pixel width

Rounding the camera story is the front-facing lens at 9.5 MP, ƒ/2.2, fixed focus, 84° FOV, and 1.22 μm. This is the camera that supports Face Unlock, like on the 7, 7 Pro, and 7a. The inner camera (8MP, ƒ/2.0, 84° FOV, 1.12 μm) on the foldable display does not.

More on Pixel Fold:

Astrophotography has been an impressive feature of Google’s Pixel phones for a few generations at this point, but the Pixel Fold is breathing new life into that feature thanks to a happy design coincidence.

The Pixel Fold, like Samsung’s foldables, has the ability to hold its place when folding or unfolding, allowing you to “pose” the device at a certain angle. It’s a useful trick for watching videos and capturing selfies, but in a quick blog post Google is highlighting another use case – astrophotography.

Using the hinge to angle the device and leave it on a steady surface, users can set up for an astrophotography shot anywhere with no need for a tripod, which was pretty much a necessity for previous Pixel phones. What sweetens the pot even further is that, because the Fold has more than one screen, using it like this means you can still see what you’re shooting.

Google explains:

One of the trickiest aspects of photography is keeping the camera still. And that’s especially important for taking pictures of the stars, which requires the aperture to stay open longer. But Pixel Fold users no longer need a tripod to steady their shots, because the phone balances nicely when it’s in tabletop mode, with one screen pointed directly up at the sky. Plus, Pixel Fold gives you a better view of exactly what you’re capturing. Its split screen lets you see what the camera is pointed at, so you can take a photo of the night sky without the guesswork.

Along with that frankly brilliant idea, Google also offered up a few samples of astrophotography shots taken with the Pixel Fold using this method, and the results speak for themselves.

Of course, Google isn’t necessarily the only brand to have this capability. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 also just picked up an astrophotography mode, but it’s hidden in a second app, where Google’s is ready to go out of the box.

More on Google Pixel Fold:

The Galaxy S23 launch event showcased the flagship Samsung phone alongside the latest software (One UI 5.1) and new Samsung apps. One such app is the Expert Raw app which recently got out of beta and into the stable channel. The Expert Raw app v2.0.09.1 is now available for all eligible Galaxy devices and can be accessed directly from the Samsung camera app.

You can now simply select Expert RAW from the More menu in the Samsung camera app. Plus, the Expert RAW app v2.0.09.1 now brings Astrophotography and Sky Guide right for the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra devices as well. This covers all the eligible devices.

The latest Expert Raw APK v2.0.09.1 brings the most anticipated Astrophotography along with Sky Guide features to all eligible Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

This includes the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, S22, S21 Ultra, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Note 20 Ultra, ZFold 4, Z Fold 3, Z Fold 2, and more phones from the Foldable lineup, and the Note lineup. It also supports One UI 5.1 firmware and brings the latest features to the camera app.

Here is the changelog:

1. Image quality improvement
2. Fixed the loading error of Astrophoto to Lightroom with High efficiency RAW.
3. Update on the supported model (Galaxy S20 Ultra, N20 Ultra, Z Fold2)

What is Expert Raw?

The Expert RAW offers a wider dynamic range, letting you capture a lot more, from dark areas to bright areas, in one photo.

Various additional features enable brighter and clearer photos even in low-light conditions,
while the manual operation features (ISO, shutter speed, EV, manual focus, white balance, etc.) allow the photographer to directly control the camera however they want.

The photos are saved in both JPEG and RAW formats, and the RAW format can be viewed and edited using the latest apps or software that support DNG.

The previous update to Expert Raw app featured Night photography, Astrophotography mode, and multiple exposures option. It also brings “Special Shooting Technique” for the Expert RAW app.

Samsung community (Korea) moderator Camera 1 charge showcased new features from the latest Expert Raw update in a blogpost here. In part one, Samsung released multiple exposures. In part 2, Astrophoto features are explored.

Samsung’s Expert Raw is getting closer to the Google Camera app and as such, can be used as a GCAM alternative for Galaxy devices.

Read more on: What is Expert RAW?

Expert Raw Multiple Exposures Feature

Multiple exposures option:

A total of 2 recording methods and 4 composite methods are available, and a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 9 pictures can be recorded.

It can be turned on and off using the multiple exposure icon from the quick settings at the top. Select ‘ ∨ ‘ in the top toast to change to other options while shooting.

There are two types of shooting methods: Continuous shooting and Manual shooting.

If you select Continuous, pictures are taken continuously at regular intervals, and Manual allows you to take pictures one by one when you want.

When shooting manually, the previously synthesized results are superimposed on the preview for more convenient and perfect shooting.

Four synthesis methods include:

• Increase (Add.)
• Average (Avg.)
• Bright
• Dark

Astrophotography and Sky Guide using Expert Raw

A lot of people want to take pictures of the stars. There are a couple of ways you can capture stars at night. One is simply using the night mode on your Samsung Galaxy camera app. The second is to use long exposures in Pro mode.

There is now a third way by using Expert Raw’s new Astrophotography mode.

Astrophotography in Expert Raw uses Image Stacking, which takes several relatively short exposure photos and synthesizes them according to the movement of the celestial body, and the technology that separates the sky and the landscape to prevent the scenery from flowing when compositing according to the movement of the celestial body.

Most importantly, Samsung will also provide a guide to check the constellations!

Download Samsung Expert RAW APK v2.0.09.1

Samsung’s Expert Raw camera app gives photographers a way of accessing the uncompressed data of an image (called RAW), straight from the camera sensor.

Expert Raw Profile

• Expert RAW Lightroom Profile

Download from Samsung Galaxy Store

The Expert Raw app is now available in more countries including the UK. So you can directly download the app w from the Samsung Galaxy Store.

• Samsung Camera Expert RAW

How to Enable Astrophotography Mode and Sky Guide in Expert Raw?

Astrophoto mode can be toggled on and off using the Astrophotography icon from quick settings at the top. An option to show an astronomical guide and an option to select shooting time can be selected.

The recording time is 4 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes. To get more options while recording, select ‘ ∨ ‘ in the top toast to change it.

For Sky Guide, select the Astrophotography icon from the quick settings at the top. Select Show for the Sky guide.

How to use Samsung Camera long exposures for night photography?

1. Fix the smartphone on a tripod.
2. Enter Pro mode or Expert RAW in the Camera app.
3. Manually set Speed ​​and ISO.
   •  If the sky is dark enough, you can fix the Speed ​​as shown below.
   • UW 30 sec / W 20 sec / T 15 sec / ST 4 sec
   • ISO is variable depending on the sky brightness of the day, shooting location, etc.
   • First of all, try shooting with 800. If the result is dark, choose a larger number, and if it is light, choose a smaller number to find a suitable number.
4. You can leave the color temperature automatically, but you can also set it to your liking.
   •  3500K to 4000K is recommended.

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The best camera accessories for astrophotography make taking pictures of the night sky much easier. 

Unlike daytime landscape photography, astrophotography entails dealing with tough conditions, low light, and often the cold outdoors. As such, there are some accessories every aspiring astrophotographer needs to pair with the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography. to get amazing shots.

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