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 stunning images with the right equipment. But which cameras, Lenses accessories are best for beginners? In this post, I’ll share recommendations for various price ranges—from budget setups to semi-professional gear.
Note: The prices listed are primarily for used items and may vary depending on availability. Additionally, the budget does not include the cost of an astro modification—these range from approximately €25 to €400, depending on the camera, supplier, or whether you do it yourself.
Budget Setup (approx. €500)
This kit is ideal for beginners who are starting out on a limited budget but still want to take their first high-quality astrophotos.
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 a fast aperture, a wide field of view, and solid optical quality.
Tripod: Rollei c5i Aluminum (€50–60)
A sturdy tripod is essential for long exposures. In this price range, there are decent aluminum tripods that are suitable for beginners.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, cable heater, power bank (€50–75)
- An intervalometer allows you to take long-exposure shots and time-lapse sequences.
- An SD card with enough storage space is essential. I recommend at least 64 GB.
- A defrosting system prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank for powering the de-icing system and charging batteries (for a cell phone or camera).
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 like the Sony a7 offers better low-light performance and lower image noise compared to APS-C cameras. The A7R performs similarly well, with the added advantage of having more megapixels (36 MP), while the a7S delivers the best low-light quality, even at high ISO settings such as 6400 or 12800.
Tracker: Move Shoot Move Nomad + Accessories (€350)
A star tracker compensates for the Earth's rotation, allowing for longer exposure times without star trail in the image
Lens: Tokina Firin 20mm f/2 (€300–450)
The Tokina Firin 20mm f/2 is a fast, high-quality wide-angle lens that is ideal for astrophotography.
Tripod: Rollei C6i Carbon (€75–100)
This carbon fiber tripod offers excellent stability despite its lightweight design—making it ideal for taking outdoors.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, cable 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 allows you to take long-exposure shots and time-lapse sequences.
- An SD card with enough storage space is essential. I recommend at least 64 GB.
- A defrosting system prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank for powering the de-icing system and charging batteries (for a cell phone or camera).
High-end setup (approx. $2,500)
For serious astrophotographers who aim for professional-level results.
Camera: Sony a7III (€900–1,100)
The Sony a7 III 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 compensates for the Earth's rotation, allowing for longer exposure times without star trail in the image
Lens: Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN (€750)
An improved version of the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM for DSLR cameras, offering high sharpness and improved correction of optical aberrations.
Panorama head: €150
A panoramic head allows you to create detailed panoramas and is a great help for Milky Way photography.
Tripod: Rollei C6i Carbon (€75–100)
This carbon fiber tripod offers excellent stability despite its lightweight design—making it ideal for taking outdoors.
Accessories: Intervalometer, SD card, cable 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 allows you to take long-exposure shots and time-lapse sequences.
- An SD card with enough storage space is essential. I recommend at least 64 GB.
- A defrosting system prevents the lens from fogging up.
- A power bank for powering the de-icing system and charging batteries (for a cell phone or camera).
Conclusion
Whether your budget is €500, €1,250, or €2,500—there’s a suitable starter kit for landscape astrophotography in every price range. While the budget setup provides a solid foundation for your first astrophotos, the higher-priced options offer a significant improvement in image quality and versatility. Which setup you choose depends on your personal needs and your budget.
Good luck and clear skies!