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 different price ranges—from budget setups to semi-professional gear.
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 $300–$450 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 want to achieve 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 the creation of 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 your budget.
Good luck and clear skies!