Beginner's guide to landscape astrophotography: Equipment recommendations for different budgets
Astrophotography has a special appeal: the night sky offers fascinating subjects that can be captured in impressive images with the right equipment. But which camera, lenses, and accessories are suitable for beginners? In this article, I provide recommendations for different price ranges—from a budget setup to semi-professional equipment.
Note: The prices quoted mainly refer to used goods and may vary depending on availability. Furthermore, the budget does not include the cost of astro modification, which amounts to approximately €25–400 depending on the camera, provider, or DIY option.
Budget setup (approx. $500)
This set is ideal for beginners who are starting out on a limited budget but still want to take their first high-quality astrophotographs.
Camera: Sony a6000 (€200-250)
The Sony a6000 is an excellent choice for beginners in astrophotography. It features an APS-C sensor with good low-light performance and offers excellent value for money.
Lens: Samyang 12mm f/2 (€150-200)
A fast wide-angle lens is essential for landscape astrophotography. The Samyang 12mm f/2 offers high light intensity, a wide field of view, and solid optical quality.
Tripod: Rollei c5i aluminum (€50–60)
A stable tripod is necessary for long exposures. In this price range, there are usable aluminum tripods that are sufficient for beginners.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, dew heater, power bank (€50-75)
- An intervalometer enables you to take long exposures and timelapse sequences.
- An SD card with sufficient storage space is essential. I recommend a minimum of 64 GB.
- A dew heater prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank to operate the dew heater and charge the batteries (for cell phones or cameras).
Mid-range setup (approx. $1,250)
For ambitious beginners who want better image quality and more control over their shots.
Camera: Sony a7/s/r (€300-450 used)
A full-frame camera such as the Sony a7 offers better low-light performance and less image noise compared to APS-C cameras. The A7r performs similarly well with the advantage of having more megapixels (36mpx), while the a7s delivers the best low-light quality, even at high ISO values such as 6400/12800.
Tracker: Move Shoot Move Nomad + accessories (€350)
A star tracker reduces the Earth's rotation and allows longer exposure times without star movement in the image.
Lens: Tokina Firin 20mm f/2 (€300-450)
The Tokina Firin 20mm f/2 is a fast wide-angle lens with high optical quality that is ideal for astrophotography.
Tripod: Rollei C6i Carbon (€75–100)
This carbon tripod offers high stability and low weight—ideal for transporting into nature.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, dew heater, power bank (€50-100)
The same accessories as in the budget setup, but with higher-quality options for greater reliability and performance.
- An intervalometer enables you to take long exposures and timelapse sequences.
- An SD card with sufficient storage space is essential. I recommend a minimum of 64 GB.
- A dew heater prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank to operate the dew heater and charge the batteries (for cell phones or cameras).
High-end setup (approx. $3,000)
For serious astrophotographers who aspire to a professional level.
Camera: Sony a7III (€900-1100)
The Sony a7III is an outstanding full-frame camera with excellent low-light performance and very good dynamic range.
Tracker: Move Shoot Move Nomad + accessories (€350)
A star tracker reduces the Earth's rotation and allows longer exposure times without star movement in the image.
Lens: Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN (€750)
An improved version of the Sigma 20mm f1.4 DG HSM for DSLR cameras with high sharpness and better correction of optical errors.
Panorama head: 150€
A panorama head enables you to create detailed panoramas and is a great help for Milky Way photography.
Tripod: Rollei C6i Carbon (€75–100)
This carbon tripod offers high stability and low weight—ideal for transporting into nature.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, dew heater, power bank (€100-150)
The same accessories as in the budget setup, but with higher-quality options for greater reliability and performance.
- An intervalometer enables you to take long exposures and timelapse sequences.
- An SD card with sufficient storage space is essential. I recommend a minimum of 64 GB.
- A dew heater prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank to operate the dew heater and charge the batteries (for cell phones or cameras).
Conclusion
Whether you have a budget of €500, €1,250, or €2,500, there is entry-level equipment for landscape astrophotography available in every price range. While the budget setup provides a solid foundation for your first astrophotos, the higher price ranges offer a significant increase in image quality and possibilities. Which setup you choose depends on your personal requirements and budget.
Good luck and clear skies!
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