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Best Telescopes for Astrophotography [Photography Guide]

November 5, 2020 by Mary Robinette Kowal

I think we can all agree that:

  Powerful telescopes are a necessity for anyone looking to get a good view of the night sky  

This is even more true when it co mes to those who are looking to capture a nice and mesmerizing image of the night sky. If you’re really looking for the best telescope for visual quality and astrophotography then you’re in the right place!

As a frequent skywatcher and admirer of deep space, I have spent plenty of time online in search of the best telescope for deep space astrophotography.What I found in the time I spent browsing reviews online is that these telescopes are highly versatile and come in many different variants and that it is up to the end consumer to decide whether or not a particular product is the best telescope for astrophotography.

So, after all these hours I have compiled what I think is a pretty comprehensive guide on the best telescope for astrophotography products on the market today. Stick around until the end to check out a Guide on astrophotography (near the Conclusion).

Top Astrophotography Telescopes [2021]

Here are our top picks!

Telescopes for AstrophotograpyRatingPrice
Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ10/10 (Editor's Choice)
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Celestron - NexStar 127SLT 9.5/10
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AstroMaster 70AZ 9/10
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Sky-Watcher EvoStar 728/10
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MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope 8/10
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Carson SkySeeker7/10
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Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm9/10
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Orion 09007 SpaceProbe9/10
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1. Celestron – PowerSeeker 127EQ

Why we love it:

  • Perfect for beginners
  • Bonus software download
  • Slow-motion altitude rod
ProsCons
✅Multiple accessories❌Complicated apparatus
✅ Amazing customer support

Why we recommend this:

This is an easy to use but powerful telescope capable of being used by any layperson, regardless of how new they are in the world of astrophotography. The very essence of this art lies in an internal appreciation for the beauty of the night sky. As long as someone has that, astrophotography isn’t that hard to master.

And in the same way, the Celestron isn’t hard to master. Designed for both kids and adult, this is one of the most versatile and the best beginners telescope for astrophotography products out there at the moment.

The best telescopes for astrophotography are those which facilitate the process of stargazing. And this one does exactly that with its numerous accessories and easy portability. If ever there was a perfect beginner astrophotography telescope, this is it.

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2. Celestron – NexStar 127SLT 

Why we love it:

  • Computerized
  • Fast set up
  • 2-year warranty
ProsCons
✅Computerized star locating system❌Difficult calibration
✅ Compact and portable

Why we recommend this:

This one is in no way a beginner astrophotography telescope, but it is one of the best telescopes for astrophotography. The computerized aspect of this astrophotography telescope bundle includes a vast database of over 40,000 stars for ease of access for the user.

You will be able to navigate the large sprawl of the cosmos in a unique way. A good telescope for astrophotography will always be very detail-oriented. For example, this one will allow you to gaze upon and picture the rings and moons of the gas giants – Saturn and Jupiter.

It only makes sense that the best telescope for deep space astrophotography products allow you to gain an in-depth view of our solar system. In fact, the Nextstar goes one step further and expands your view of the night sky beyond just our solar system and into the vast expanse of stars and galaxies that encapsulate it.

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3. AstroMaster 70AZ 

Why we love it:

  • User friendly
  • Two eyepieces included
  • Accurate pointing
ProsCons
✅Well built❌Relatively cheap
✅ Powerful scope

Why we recommend this:

Right off the bat, I can tell you that this is a beginners telescope for astrophotography. It has a long and sleek design complemented by its sturdy build. Often times you will find on the market that a good telescope for astrophotography is marked by a very large and bulky exterior.

Thing is, that exterior isn’t what makes the telescope so much so as the build quality. So really, you could have a think sleek looking telescope like this one and it would still be among the great telescopes for astrophotography. As far as the specs are concerned, the astrophotography telescope bundle comes with two separate eyepieces so you are able to easily swap one out if need be.

Overall,  reviewers have described it as a user-friendly product and that is why I have put it so high up on the list. Plus, there’s always the added benefit of the product being cheaper than others on the market. As far as good telescope for beginner is concerned, this is a relatively cheap telescope for astrophotography – and the quality is there.

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4. Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72

Why we love it:

  • Perfect color correction
  • Metallic Build
  • Dual speed focuser
ProsCons
✅Portable❌Not heavy-duty
✅ Case included

Why we recommend this:

Portability is the name of the game when it comes to the best telescope for deep space astrophotography. Stargazing is a very peculiar art that requires a lot of patience. In our busy 24 hour day world, chances are you barely get to see the night sky without the annoying influence of heavy night pollution.

So if you’re new to this and haven’t quite figured out where best you can observe the stars, a portable can go a long way. This is why, because of its portability, I have classified this under the best beginners telescope for astrophotography. All accessories come with the packaging so you can simply bust this out of the box and be staring at the cosmos as soon as you receive it.

With this piece, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the cosmos wherever you are, whenever you like. I wouldn’t exactly call it a budget telescope for astrophotography but you get full value out of every dollar you spend on this.

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Liking our article? Want a related guide? Here’s our guide on the best laser-pointers in 2021!

5. MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope 

Why we love it:

  • Long focal length
  • Very cheap
  • Brighter and clearer images
ProsCons
✅Lightweight❌Small tripod
✅ Extra binoculars included

Why we recommend this:

Want a portable but in-the-budget telescope for astrophotography? You’re in the right place. There is a large number of people who scour the internet looking for a cheap telescope for astrophotography to no avail. This one, though, happens to be both portable and light on the pocket.

It is decently balanced, though the tripod is a bit too short, to be able to support the aesthetic desires of any sky gazer, not just beginners. It has a wide range of different magnification powers ranging from x20 to x200.

There’s another fun thing about this one! It comes with a small pair of binoculars which every stargazer will know is a necessity when it comes to picking the right spot. The best telescope for astrophotography is one that is versatile, and this one is it.

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6. Carson SkySeeker

Why we love it:

  • Compact
  • Phone compatibility
  • Mount included
ProsCons
✅Easy to assemble❌Cheap phoneholder
✅ Aesthetically pleasing

Why we recommend this:

No matter what category of product is in question, one thing is certain in today’s market: if it is smart, it will sell. And that’s exactly why the Skyseeker is so appealing, even beyond its amazing paint job. With this piece, you will be able to casually check out stars from your windowsills. It is truly a beginners telescope for astrophotography.

Speaking of that, you can easily use your phone to capture amazing stills of the cosmos using this. The precision optics allow for far better clarity than you will find in other products of the same stature.

In fact, you’ll find far more expensive telescopes for deep space astrophotography with optics that are less precise. So always be sure to look at the specifications of any good telescope for astrophotography that you find online.

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7. Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm

Why we love it:

  • Heavy duty
  • Easy to operate
  • High-level magnifications
ProsCons
✅Pre-assembled tripod❌Difficult to set up
✅ Very stable

Why we recommend this:

Let’s say you’re a casual astronomer but you do not want to take the route of portability and easy access. Maybe you want to hike to the nearest mountain or set up your telescope on the roof of a skyscraper, perhaps at work. In this case, a regular portable telescope will not do, even if it is among the great telescopes for astrophotography.

You need a product which is sturdy and stable. If you’re going to have a spot for your telescope then you should really make sure that what you’re getting has to offer stability. That is why I would advise anyone who has a decent stargazing spot to get this product while they still can.

It is strong and sturdy, offering maximum stability while viewing all while being sold at a reasonably fair price. It is by no means a cheap telescope for astrophotography, but the money is well worth it.

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8. Orion 09007 SpaceProbe

Why we love it:

  • Allows slow-motion tracking
  • Lightweight
  • Bright images
ProsCons
✅Short and portable❌Bad instructions
✅ All accessories included

Why we recommend this:

Sometimes the best telescopes for astrophotography include those that are generally well-balanced products. This one is one of those great telescopes for astrophotography. The 5.1-inch aperture on this piece allows for more light to creep in making the final image more bright and crisp.

This means that you will be able to get a really nice view of the night sky and just as easily capture it all on camera. The body is designed to be intentionally shorter than a conventional telescope so as to promote mobility.

Making it a mobile telescope isn’t a hard thing to do either as it weighs only 27 lbs fully assembled. Basically, you will be able to enjoy thi product no matter how new or old you are in the field of astrophotography.

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Conclusion

So there you have it! These were the best telescopes for astrophotography. I made an active effort to find products that any layperson could simply pick up and use. Really, any of these products are a good fit as a beginners telescope for astrophotography. If you liked this article, perhaps you should check out our other ones about space and telescopes – Astrology Vs Astronomy, Best Telescopes Under $300 , and the Telescope Field Of View Calculator.

 

Guide

Astrophotography Guide

Astrophotography is the soothing art of photographing images of faraway celestial objects. Of course, when telescopes first came into being, there was no such concept of deep space photography. But now, with the advancement of modern-day technology, this task has become extremely simple. Now, using your phone paired with your telescope, you will be able to capture long-distance and crystal clear shots of almost all the planets in our solar system without much haste.

One of the biggest tips I can give you on astrophotography is that you need to learn to be slow and steady. Because of the powerful magnifications in these telescopes, each twitch of your hand has the ability to mess up the framing of the entire image. So make sure to employ the use of a steady hand whenever you’re trying to calibrate your telescope to capture the image of a planet.

It is important to note that framing and light conditions are key when it comes to astrophotography. It is best if you only go out for stargazing when there is minimal light pollution near you. If you’re really interested in learning more about specific techniques, check this article out on Capturing A Shooting Star.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal
Hey! I'm Mary Robinette Kowal, an author, speaker &  producer on anything & everything tech and space related. I'm best known for winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Writing about space is a huge passion of mine, so here’s a little piece of my mind.
Mary Robinette Kowal
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