JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser.
You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

CCD & Photographic

A CCD camera is essentially an electronic version of a 35mm camera for astrophotography that saves the images in your computer, rather than on a roll of film. A CCD camera can take snapshots of the Moon and planets and long exposure photos of deep sky nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters. Because the CCD camera has to store up the faint light of deep space objects before it can display an image, just as a 35mm film camera does, a CCD can't give you real-time or instant images of deep space objects.

Because a CCD camera is more sensitive than 35mm film or your eye, it can store up more information during an exposure. Software supplied with the camera, or available separately, allows you to manipulate the image later to bring out details that would be washed out or invisible in a 35mm negative or while observing visually. CCD cameras are surprisingly unaffected by city light pollution, allowing deep sky photography from even heavily light polluted sites.

CCD cameras typically vary in price according to their image size, with large cameras running into the multiple thousands of dollars. Even at their largest, however, their image covers less of the sky than a 35mm film camera on the same scope. CCDs are best at recording small and very faint objects rather than large and bright objects, although excellent images of large objects can be recorded by taking multiple overlapping images and combining them in the computer.

It has been said that CCD cameras on amateur-size telescopes can record fainter objects than the 200" scope at Mt. Palomar could record only 10 or 15 years ago with conventional film cameras. By some measures, CCD cameras can be said to have an effective film speed (ASA or ISO rating) of 20,000, making them ideal for recording very faint objects.

Some CCD cameras can act as autoguiders to take the tedium out of guiding long exposure 35mm photos. Some CCD cameras have their own autoguider built in for recording images automatically and untended; others come with separate guiders or have them available as an option.

Shop By Category

Quick view

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Counterweight Kit S20540

$33.50

If you picked up the Star Adventurer Dec Bracket (#S20560) and are looking for the counterweight kit to help you reach balance, then you have come to the right place.
Quick view

Losmandy 108mm photoguide/camera 3-ring set for Losmandy and Vixen dovetails

$149.00

1 Review(s)

This Losmandy DVR108/66 3-ring photoguide/guider mounting ring set mounts a refractor photoguide scope and an autoguider on an optional Losmandy D-series dovetail plate or Vixen-style dovetail plate.
Quick view

Questar T-Ring for Olympus 4/3 format DSLR cameras, for Questar telescopes only

$78.00

For mounting Olympus 4/3 format DSLR cameras on a Questar camera adapter only . . .
$Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor$ $Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor$

Quick view

Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor

$169.95

3 Review(s)

This economical 0.8x focal reducer and field flattener is designed specifically for astrophotography with the Astro-Tech AT80EDT 80mm f/6 triplet apo refractor.
Quick view

Celestron LPR imaging filter for Celestron RASA 11

$699.00

The Celestron #93617 RASA Light Pollution Imaging Filter was custom-designed for the Celestron RASA Schmidt-Cassegrain astrograph by Astrodon - the world's leading imaging filter company.
Quick view
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Equatorial Motorized Mount Photo Package S20520

$350.00

1 Review(s)
- Multiple preprogrammed speeds for time lapse photography
- Tracking rate selectable between Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
- Built in polar scope with illuminator
- DSLR interfrace for automatic shutter control
- Built-in auto-guiding interface
- Low power consumption
- External Mini USB power support
- Compatible with 3/8 and 1/4 inch camera tripod thread
- Lifetime free firmware upgrade
- 11 pound maximum payload
Quick view

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Motorized Equatorial Mount Astro Package #S20510

$410.00

Let the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Astro Package help turn your photo tripod into a fantastic portable Equatorial platform for your small optical tube.
Quick view

Celestron CrossAim 12.5mm dual crosshair Plössl

$94.95

1 Review(s)

This 12.5mm Celestron "CrossAim" 1.25" Plössl design double crosshair reticle guiding/centering eyepiece comes with a variable brightness cordless illuminator for use with any make or model telescope and/or off-axis guider . . .
Quick view

ZWO 0.7x Reducer for FF107APO and FF130APO Telescopes

$349.00

If you are needing a faster version of your ZWO FF107APO or FF130APO, this reducer will get you there.
Quick view

ZWO ASI294MM Monochrome Astrophotography Camera

$999.00

You asked and ZWO delivered. A monochrome version of the every popular ASI294MC, the ASI294MM.