Digiscoping the Orion Nebula using Binoculars and a Smartphone

Ғылым және технология

In this video i use a smartphone, a smartphone adapter and a pair of 10x50 binoculars to image Messier 42, the Orion Nebula. I'll explain how to attach the camera to the binoculars, how to setup a camera app to control exposure, speed and file format, and how to use multiple frames to make a single image of the nebula. I used a pair of Celestron Upclose G2 binoculars and the ProCam 8 smartphone camera app. It's an unusual form of digiscoping, but it works with a little careful setup and practice.
Note: The ProCam app is only available for iPhones but there are many good camera apps for Android phones including HD Camera Pro.

Пікірлер: 105

  • @donaldrobertson117
    @donaldrobertson1173 жыл бұрын

    "After what feels like days, but was only 15 minutes" sums up a lot about this hobby!

  • @epic_playz4283

    @epic_playz4283

    2 жыл бұрын

    Seens like an hour feels like 20 minutes in astronomy for me

  • @goldenpotato2159
    @goldenpotato215910 ай бұрын

    Hello! I know this is probably an older video and you might never see this comment but I really want to thank you. I am a complete beginner and this video helped me so much! Because of this, i was able to photograph my first picture of the moon and showed me how great astrophotography is, when you lined up that perfect shot, its like magic!

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    10 ай бұрын

    That’s very good to hear, I’m glad it was helpful.

  • @CelticBearWoman31

    @CelticBearWoman31

    5 ай бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro All what @goldenpotato2159 said! :D.

  • @bakerboy273
    @bakerboy273Ай бұрын

    Hi, thank you for taking the time to make this video, it is the most clearly presented one I have seen and fitted my equipment perfectly so I am now ready to have another go at shooting the moon - deep sky images will have to wait until I am more confident.

  • @jamesmcenhill4037
    @jamesmcenhill4037 Жыл бұрын

    I've only just watched this and I can't believe the images your getting on this setup, I'm just starting out which is a bonus as everything I find is new to me and exciting but you explain things so easy for a newbie like me can pick up on straight away as I'm looking for a scope and dslr to get me going

  • @natem7440
    @natem74403 жыл бұрын

    what i like about this demonstration is that most anyone already owns a phone - that's that most expensive part covered. A budget 10x50 can easily be obtained along with the other components. Any budding astro-photographer can dip their toe in the water...

  • @nekite1
    @nekite12 жыл бұрын

    What I have found is that I set the binoculars with the tripod adjustment handle facing away from the user. This means it is easier to focus on targets that are nearer to the zenith without the handle fouling the legs/body of the tripod.

  • @mihailssisovs6983
    @mihailssisovs6983 Жыл бұрын

    Doing this with my Skymaster 15x70, Nexyz and Poco x3. So far very satisfied, M13, M27 look great, with up to 14.8 m stars

  • @jamesdavies3223
    @jamesdavies32232 жыл бұрын

    Didn't think about rolling the rubber on lense back... Thank you for that tip!

  • @tean03
    @tean032 жыл бұрын

    You made exactly what I want to do. Thank you!!! Now I know it is possible.

  • @billtracy8865
    @billtracy88653 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for a much needed video. I just started doing astrophotos through my 7 X 50 Nikon and android smartphone. You described the problems and frustrations of the camera holder beautifully. My biggest problem (other than cold) has been aligning my camera and binocular eyepiece exit pupil. I had not discovered rolling back the eyecap. Many thanks for that tip. I too started with Orion then on to the 7 Sisters. Moderate beginners success, got an image. Would have more to report, but plagued with an extremely cloudy wet winter.

  • @mervebingol8284

    @mervebingol8284

    2 жыл бұрын

    How to take pics via binocolurs please can you explain? Im crazy about sky but wanna take photos of what im seeing aswell.how can i manage it? Id appraciate if you answer my buddy

  • @ethemaydar5075

    @ethemaydar5075

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@mervebingol8284hala astronomiyle ilgileniyor musunuz

  • @johnlavin-ford8372
    @johnlavin-ford83722 жыл бұрын

    Great upload mate. Im a returning NikonPro photographer who's now dabbling, quite often unsuccessfully, in astro photography.... This is clear concise and to the point.. I have just subbed to support your channel mate... My channel is a little lacking as time tie to video and edit has been killing my photography. Thanks again for giving us all your time.

  • @pedade02
    @pedade025 ай бұрын

    Excellent, as all your other videos are... Many thanks.

  • @kevanhubbard9673
    @kevanhubbard96733 жыл бұрын

    Yes you can I photographed m67,M44 and the Coat Hanger using my 25mm Pocket Borg refractor,a bracket and my Google Pixel 3a.I generally use a 25mm Kelner but have used 32mm Celestron,15mm Altair and a 9mm Skywatcher Planetary eyepiece as well but as the scope has no finder I tend to use the 32mm to find what I'm looking for and then pop the eyepiece/bracket/phone into the star diagonal.

  • @MrRomeoo007
    @MrRomeoo0073 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful ❤️ I m trying to start astronomy soon and I m going to start with 10x50 binoculars thank you your videos gives me positivity to start with Binos love and light ❤️🙏🕉️😇

  • @alancampbell1008
    @alancampbell10083 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for an informative video. I've the Celestron phone adaptor which I have struggled to line up, folding back the cup might be the answer! Buying used without instructions probably didn't help! Would love to see the final result.

  • @1maticsports675
    @1maticsports675 Жыл бұрын

    Nice, got 10x50 it's simple but have to use a tripod, great video👍

  • @GarnettLeary
    @GarnettLeary3 жыл бұрын

    Those are great binoculars. I regret selling mine. Cool video. Very encouraging. This is absolutely budget friendly. Clear skies.

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Garnett.

  • @astrocatsastronomyandhistory
    @astrocatsastronomyandhistory2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks this really helps since I’m starting my own astronomy channel

  • @knightclan4
    @knightclan43 жыл бұрын

    Great video mate

  • @VM-bk5vc
    @VM-bk5vc Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic. Thank you

  • @MPAstro
    @MPAstro3 жыл бұрын

    Great video Graham as always!! hit the like too!! I've done something similar to this by making a special adapter and used a Sony A6400 to get amazing results!! Totally agree at the end this is a tricky set-up and not always guarantee to work on every Binoculars, I've described it in my video, It is possible to image a DSO however getting it focused and on camera is an achievement by it's self!! And newcomers must understand that a set-up like this does work but setting prior to imaging the night is crucial, As with most telescope set-ups, they do not work straight away from out of the box, they need to be set-up in order for the user to get the possible views!!

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Martin, fully agree. Been wanting to do this for a while but it's remained on my "to do" list of videos until now. This demanded more patience than most AP and the inevitable nights of failure along the way, but with the weather so poor I liked the fact that once it was eventually set-up you could grab the images without spending too long outside - A challenge to be overcome! I'll check out your video.

  • @mediocrefunkybeat
    @mediocrefunkybeat3 жыл бұрын

    I have all three of these things and absolutely no excuses!

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good luck! It may drive you crazy but it'll be worth it in the end!

  • @mediocrefunkybeat

    @mediocrefunkybeat

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro I'm going to have to work on my excuses, aren't I?

  • @AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada
    @AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada2 жыл бұрын

    Whoa want are you doing here???....COOL!! I learned a lot!

  • @thewrongaccount608
    @thewrongaccount6086 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video. I got the same mount and it is a bit wobbly. I'll try it out next time the skies are clear.

  • @zenitmann
    @zenitmann Жыл бұрын

    Great video thanks

  • @petset77
    @petset77 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your video. I'm going to look into the ProCam 8 compatability with with iPhone SE2022. In this phone's standard configuration, it only takes 1/60 second snapshots, nothing for low light situations like astro (I can however take great snapshots of the moon because it's so bright). Fingers crossed that the app is compatible. Thanks again.... and I just subscribed to your channel.

  • @robinj.9329
    @robinj.932911 ай бұрын

    My tripods are all so big and heavy that they NEVER get lost. BUT, that tiny "Bracket" or "Tri-pod Adapter" for the binoculars? I'm must loose at least two per year! Yup! I don't know if their growing their own "Legs" and running off, OR if visitors to my home take a liking ti them and just slip 'em in a pocket when I'm not looking! And the really good quality ones? They can cost thirty or fourty DOLLAR each!! So...... Even though I've bought at least a dozen of those "brackets" over the years, theirs NEVER one around when I want one !

  • @skylight1order2008
    @skylight1order20089 ай бұрын

    I know this is a little bit late but great video and very useful. Hoping that you might still read your comments, could I ask- is the final picture that you showed and the end the version that came out of Deep Sky Stacker or is it edited ? Thank you.

  • @ethemaydar5075
    @ethemaydar507510 ай бұрын

    Hello brother, can you show the deep sky stacker stacking process of this video?

  • @Javiercav
    @Javiercav2 жыл бұрын

    Can you still do that? i have de procam app in my iphone but it limits the exposure to 1/3 sec, and i´ve found that limit on other apps to.. and the long exposure mode only let me 4 , 8 , 15 or 30 seconds exposure, but i cant find how to make 1sec exposures. it seems that apple has limited it somehow since i´ve done that with my previous iphones

  • @f1remandg
    @f1remandg Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely brilliant! No exaggerations, with all that you need achieve a photo of fairly deep space, for a small outlay, I wonder if Photo pill 💊 could help with some of the locating and timing? DG

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I appreciate that. Astro can be affordable. I haven't used PhotoPills as yet - is it any good?

  • @Richie5903
    @Richie5903 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Graham , thanks for the video ( and all your others ) they have all been very helpful as I'm taking my first steps into viewing the night sky and dipping a toe into AP. One question if you could help please. When I've taken raw images on my phone and moved them over to my pc .. I can't seem to get deepskystacker to see the images. If I take jpgs it will see them but when using raw it for some reason is not able to see that the files exist in the directory , as if it doesn't have the ability to read raw photos. Am I missing a step , do they need to be changed from raw to jpg before being processed ?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Richie, DSS should be stacking RAW files. I’ve just tried it. When you select “Open Light Frames”, to the right of the File Name box you can select the file type to RAW from a drop-down list. My EOS’s raw files are .CR2 files, but there are other types. Have you tried this? Graham

  • @Richie5903

    @Richie5903

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro Thanks for the reply , I will have a look and see if thats it , maybe I was just being a dope lol

  • @astrodad-simonb277
    @astrodad-simonb2773 жыл бұрын

    Great video!! I have an ETX 60 and 8ich SCT - can you recommend the holder for these scopes as I would like to try this! Thanks! Simon

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Simon, I used a low cost adapter (£15) branded “GoSky” which works ok but is not very adjustable. The Celestron NeXYZ adapter (£45) is the Rolls Royce option, with the ability to centre the phone’s camera more precisely. I’ve made videos of both on my channel. Either would work with your scopes as they clamp around the eyepiece barrel. I would say that the task is a bit of a challenge, but very satisfying when all the pieces come together.

  • @astrodad-simonb277

    @astrodad-simonb277

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro Thank you, gonna go shopping today :-)

  • @astrodad-simonb277

    @astrodad-simonb277

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro Going for the cheaper option and see ho I do with my 8inch SCT and ETX 60 :-) thanks again!

  • @AndersRisager
    @AndersRisager3 жыл бұрын

    Totally new to astrophotography, so please bare with me... Would it be preferable to take exposures lasting longer than one second? And would I still need as many frames as possible?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hello Anders, there was a a guide in astro called the “1 in 500” rule which is good to understand, and helps to determine the maximum exposure before stars show a trail ( a line not a dot) in a frame. There are some subtleties like type of camera but basically with this setup 1s is about the max. If I knew the exact focal length of the binoculars i could be more precise as the rule gives a time of 500/focal length. If I put the binoculars onto a tracking platform then the problem is solved, but then it wouldn’t be simple, cheap astro! Clear skies!

  • @karenjessick7053
    @karenjessick7053 Жыл бұрын

    I just bought Celestron sky master 15 x 70 binoculars and really struggled with trying to align my smart phone to the eyepiece and got so frustrated I was ready to just return everything but now I have hope and I’m going to try again.

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    Definitely worth a try. These adapters are frustrating!

  • @aric4009
    @aric40092 жыл бұрын

    Should i buy the app nightcap or procam8?

  • @paulpendyck9438
    @paulpendyck94383 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for another great video. Looking forward to trying this out. Downloaded Procam but are having a problem getting it to act like your camera does. Can you elaborate on how you made the settings please.

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Paul. The ProCam website has a good tutorial which should help. Basically select the button for ISO or exposure etc, then move the slider.

  • @paulpendyck9438

    @paulpendyck9438

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro had a look at that but couldn’t see how to get it to continuously take the photos like you did each time after the timer

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Paul Pendyck OK if you have gone into set up and set the times, you come back out and press the timer button to the right of the shutter. It has a few settings but one is a repetitive timer. The icon has a clock with an arrow around it.

  • @paulpendyck9438

    @paulpendyck9438

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro Got it. Thank you

  • @dishantgandhi6007
    @dishantgandhi6007 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Jenham, I did follow this way, I have Bresser Hunter 7x50, I am facing trouble of the eyepeice getting loose when I attach the smartphone adapter, is that natural? Because I tried twice and the eyepeice has got very loose and I don't know to tighten it, If you could help or guide it would be awesome help. Thanks Edit: I fixed it by removing the center cap and tighten the screw

  • @dorothycoleman4834
    @dorothycoleman48342 жыл бұрын

    Oh BoY is it frust4rating to wait until dark. lmao yep!! i was going to give my binoculars away... Ha and that was the nice thing i almost did ! :) thank you so very much for this excellent guide 👀❤

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Waiting for clear weather really is frustrating, but binocular astrophotography can take it to another level! Binos are great for simple visual astro though, worth keeping for quick looks at the sky between the clouds.

  • @dorothycoleman4834

    @dorothycoleman4834

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro i love mine . thanks again!

  • @user-kl2cl8xi2f
    @user-kl2cl8xi2f Жыл бұрын

    When I take an interval shot of a nebula by adjusting focus and sec, the setting changes from the second shot and it goes completely dark. How can I take interval shots with the same settings as in this movie?

  • @dahunk84
    @dahunk843 жыл бұрын

    I tried using one of the those cellphone mounts with an ST80 and it was very finicky to get it all lined up and focused. I ended up returning it, but maybe I should get it and spend more time with it. On another note, Have you tried any EAA/Video astronomy yet?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Rahul, it is very finicky no doubt. I took it as a challenge. Not tried video/eaa yet but would like to.

  • @exonysis8252

    @exonysis8252

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro whats the camera seting can you privide detailled in pro camera settings

  • @BritishBeachcomber
    @BritishBeachcomber3 жыл бұрын

    Another tip... Set the focus to infinity in daylight!

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, find that distant tree etc and lock it in!

  • @re.l124c41_

    @re.l124c41_

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi! How do I set focus to infinity on this app?

  • @ks4423
    @ks4423 Жыл бұрын

    Does anyone know any good free camera apps for iPhone 11

  • @ngc290
    @ngc2903 жыл бұрын

    Thank U for the video .. inspire to start at this beautifull hobbie .. I have celestron binoculars 25x100 .. only did some moon shots . Am satisface with the result .. but I didnt try yet orion nebula . I have one app who dont take or give me the setting for long exposure . Do You know any app who does for Android? I downloaded the one you recommended but didnt find the option for take 1 second exposure . Or only work on I phone ? Best regards .

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I'm not sure why you can't get to 1s. From other comments I believe that open camera, bacon camera, pro shot and HD camera pro are some android apps. I haven't tried these as I've got an i-phone. Clear skies!

  • @ngc290

    @ngc290

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank U .. for your time .. will try those app .

  • @nikandbdog
    @nikandbdog Жыл бұрын

    I just bought the Celestron 25x70 binoculars. can you recommend a sturdy, inexpensive tripod?

  • @exonysis8252

    @exonysis8252

    Жыл бұрын

    Amazon basic

  • @youssefeltabarany3802
    @youssefeltabarany3802 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, I just wanted to know how you locked the shutter speed and the ISO because when I tried to use it it would reset the iso and shutter speed every time and I had to redo them the whole time.

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    It had a mind of it's own and did reset a few times. I don't remember how I overcame this, sorry. Trial and error.

  • @artmakersworlds
    @artmakersworlds Жыл бұрын

    I have an iphone 6. That ProCam 8 requires 11 or better. Got any ideas what app will actually work on MY phone?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    Maybe NightCap?

  • @artmakersworlds

    @artmakersworlds

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro I looked, nope. Compatibility iPhone Requires iOS 14.0 or later. Thanks for trying though.

  • @fabriziolongo83
    @fabriziolongo832 жыл бұрын

    Awesome. Can you explain all steps for DeepSkyStacker? Did you use only pics right? No dark files or flat files? Please clarify me 😊

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Fabrizio, I'm not expert and I think there are a few tutorial videos online that would help you. Normally I add darks (and often flats) when I'm doing AP, but for this quick dip using the binoculars I only used lights for simplicity.

  • @fabriziolongo83

    @fabriziolongo83

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro thanks for info. All tutorials talk about RAW from camera. I'm interesting about to do same image processing using only smartphone. I had bad results with DeepSkyStacker using only light frames (with Andromeda galaxy not with orion nebula). But I will try again. I hope you can do a video tutorial with only smartphone AP. Your channel is lovely ☺️

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I have had some bad results using only light RAWs as well - the final image came out almost white. For that issue I did find a solution in the forums somewhere - not sure I remember which box I unticked/ticked though so not much help, sorry!

  • @Talalpro_1
    @Talalpro_13 жыл бұрын

    Im using a tracking mount how do I get raw over 1 second iphone 11 pro

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    So far I haven't found a app to exceed 1s.

  • @Talalpro_1

    @Talalpro_1

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro That’s sad I hope someone makes a 30 second app

  • @nightfury4524
    @nightfury45243 жыл бұрын

    some phone comes with multiple aperture , how that works in it?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good question. My iPhone has 2 lenses. When I set it up in daytime the best setup was with one of the lenses aligned with the eyepiece. I’m not sure what the other lens does.

  • @nightfury4524

    @nightfury4524

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro it means, it anyways works. Please tell why those pictures you prepared in video as final image. Aren't impressively sharp, as if digitally zoomed into. Why is so?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    3 жыл бұрын

    Night Fury I think a combination of a cheap binocular and the difficulty of mounting the camera rigidly probably led to the images not being super sharp. The project was mainly for fun and the result could be improved with more practice.

  • @nightfury4524

    @nightfury4524

    3 жыл бұрын

    Your words and guidance is really encouraging. Thank you I have a celestron 15x70 BTW. 😉

  • @TheSohamArtbk
    @TheSohamArtbk Жыл бұрын

    how could you see the orion nebula with a binocular?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    Жыл бұрын

    You can see it as a smudge with the naked eye, even better with a pair of binoculars.

  • @TheSohamArtbk

    @TheSohamArtbk

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JenhamsAstro OK!

  • @achemvenkatamuni9567
    @achemvenkatamuni95672 жыл бұрын

    Sir, Can I shoot milky way core using this binoculars?

  • @JenhamsAstro

    @JenhamsAstro

    2 жыл бұрын

    It would be difficult and not the easiest approach. Much simpler with a DSLR and a lens.

  • @CindyBallreich
    @CindyBallreich3 жыл бұрын

    Be careful!! You'll never get big name sponsors if you tell people that astrophotography can be done inexpensively!

  • @tombouie
    @tombouie10 ай бұрын

    Thks &; I says make a carousel/merry-go-around that rtoates once every 24hours ; put your set-up on it ; & let the camera be exposed all night long.

  • @pangrac1
    @pangrac13 ай бұрын

    Nice tutorial, but result photo is horrible. Need for better optics is evident.

  • @wildyorkieoutdoors7271
    @wildyorkieoutdoors7271 Жыл бұрын

    Using a computer and a app as well bait of a click bait going on here

  • @amanshrestha6510
    @amanshrestha65107 ай бұрын

    Sir thank you so much for your kind information appreciate 😊😊😊🫡

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