Editing What Telescope (section)

== Widefield Imaging ==
Widefield can be an interesting way of imaging. It'll allow you to make those really cool Milky Way shots frequently seen online. Widefield can range from a simple untracked tripod to properly tracking at sidereal.
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=== $250 - Basic Widefield ===
----This is about as low as you can go on the widefield scale - a simple tripod and a DSLR with the 18-55 kit lens. If you're lucky and live outside of light polluted areas you will be able to capture the milky way. Chances are if you're interested in this type of photography you'll own a DSLR anyway. You can do star trails too with just a tripod and DSLR.

* Camera: Canon/Nikon DSLR: Approximately $200-400 on Ebay or Craigslist. Find one with a lens included.
* Tripod: Anything will work, the sturdier the better: $50

Potential results:

[http://i.imgur.com/NONqR4c.jpg M31] ([http://www.reddit.com/r/astrophotography/comments/25dzj0/andromeda_with_just_a_dslr_and_simple_tripod/ Credit])

[http://i.imgur.com/6P8bKrT.jpg Milky Way] ([http://www.reddit.com/r/astrophotography/comments/2f9s9j/reprocessed_my_milky_shot_taken_from_a_redwhite/ Credit])

[https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48428242026_b3f508b960_o.png Milky Way] ([https://www.reddit.com/r/astrophotography/comments/cknhws/the_milky_way_core_from_the_harmony_of_the_seas/evoxy4l/ Credit])
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=== $300-500 - Home-made Tracker ===
----It's possible to make your own tracker for the sky. This is called a barndoor tracker. The price of these can vary wildly depending on the components, tripod and other items you use.

* Mount: Home-made barndoor tracker: $100-200
** There is also a [https://nyxtech.us/ barndoor tracker for sale] made by /u/spacemark - $130
* Tripod: Sturdy tripod and ball-head: $100-200
* Camera: Canon/Nikon DSLR: Approximately $200 on Ebay or Craigslist. Find one with a lens included.

There are several guides available online. A reddit thread by a user who has built their own [https://imgur.com/a/EHAGY barndoor tracker can be found here].

Possible images:

[http://imgur.com/a/GbMaj#0 DSO Album]
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=== $800 - Tracked Milkyway ===
----Tracking the milkyway as with all objects gives you a far greater amount of detail as you will be able to take longer exposures without streaking the stars.

* Mount: Vixen Polarie: $600 with tripod included
* Camera: Canon/Nikon DSLR (e.g. 450D, 500D, 1000D): Approximately $200 on Ebay or Craigslist. Find one with a lens included.

Alternatives to the Polarie include the Skywatcher Star-Adventurer bundle or the Astrotrac. If you're unconcerned with portability you could also consider a full sized mount (e.g. Orion Sirius) which will let you use actual telescopes later on.

Potential images:

[http://i.imgur.com/BpaqNgA.jpg Scorpius region] ([http://www.reddit.com/r/astrophotography/comments/27gknl/the_dark_horse_scorpius_region_widefield/ Credit])
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=== Widefield above $800 ===
----Past $800 there are a fair few upgrades you can still do. For example the Star-adventurer is capable of having an autoguider, counterweight bar, and a latitude adjustment head for polar alignment. A good lens is always beneficial, an even sturdier tripod may improve your imaging. When shopping for lenses try to find fast (below f/2.8) widefield lenses.