How to capture a GALAXY with your DSLR 

Presumably the people who disliked this video are allergic to learning.

You are a god amongst men. This is awesome. I love the attitude of "You can probably make better images than you think with the gear you already have" And "start with what you have and then later on decide what makes the most sense to upgrade". -- makes astrophotography much more accessible to new people like me.

You are the only astro RU-vidr that goes into thorough detail. Everyone always skips a step or is unclear in what they're doing. You are quality content my friend. Thank you!

WOW.....Nico I feel like I just sat through a college class on astrophotography......GREAT INFO, thanks so much for your time and dedication to this.

Wow, I'm just amazed that you were able to come back from nine years in the future to publish this video for those of of us stuck in the year 2020. Your clock at 1:10:23 clearly shows that you actually filmed this video in the year 2029. You should make a "Time Travel for Beginners" video. I bet lots of people would be interested to know how you do that.

Must watch for someone who's just getting in to Astrophotography. It doesn't matter even if you have photography or astronomy background, this tutorial (he also has a couple other similar ones) to understand an astrophotography, literally from start to finish. Extremely useful tutorial.

I feel like i had to pay to watch this. This is just awesome. Lot of "beginner guides" tell you like "ok and after that i'm gonna do some basic photoshop adjustments and we see how it looks..." and i'm like "..dude, it's a beginner guide. SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE!" I really consider becoming a patreon. Thank you Edit: became a patreon

This isn't a video tutorial. It's an entire course! Thank you so much for sharing so many detailed and practical information! Awesome job.

There is a massive barrier to entry in this field: (a million steps). Finally I feel like I can start this new hobby that I KNEW was within reach for the last decade. Thank you!

I love how you take your time EXPLAINING it to me. I also love how you treat lower budget rigs with a little more respect than some other teachers in the hobby. Not everyone can afford to spend large amounts on gear. I practically have to beg my wife for this budget as is. A DSLR or small refractor might be all i can ever afford.

I don’t blame other experienced youtubers to jump certain points because „it’s common knowledge“ . Well, not for me. You pay close attention to details what helps me a ton. Until recently i was only observing visually but now I’m starting hunting photons . Along the way my ‚wanna buy list‘ develops an unhealthy tendency to grow . Many thanks an a big thumbs up . Subskribed.

Nico, i just want to say: Thank you very much! This is the best astrophotography instructional video in RU-vid. You are really doing a service. We, those that want to get started are bombarded with either incorrect or incomplete information out there. You put a solid ground around what is needed and around the process, thank you for this!!

I would just like to say a massive thank you. Astrophotography is an extremely daunting hobby to begin with, however it becomes an extremely rewarding hobby when in the know.

You are such a clear thinker and excellent communicator!

"Some tips and tutorials" .... bah ! I learn more from you than I could in a week at a "professional" institution. You own man. Ty for your labors.

A whole year later and I'm STILL referring to your video(s) [this one in particular] for info. Thank you very much for the detailed information and advice!!

You don't need to check! This guy is The Best out there, on the subject. Period.

Thank you for making the stars accessible to everyone ❤

You, and Astrobackyard have helped me tremendously! Thanks so much for the great content!

Only one like for so much work, dedication, 'nerdiness' and knowledge. Still, kudos

Nico, i have to tell you that you are the best "teacher" of astrophotography! You helped me a lot to learn this beautiful hobby! I wish you all the best! Greetings from Hungary.

I have been into telescopes, astro imaging for a while and also 39 years of cinematography and have high end gear but I still enjoy watching your videos. You are very easy to listen to while not trying to be funny or cute. very good work.

You're doing amazing job in introducing begginers to this hobby Nicko Keep going dude

I wish I would have found your RU-vid when I started Astrophotography... thank you for your hard work and dedication!

the best video I found on photographing galaxies with just a normal DSLR. GOOD JOB!!!!

It is basically a course. Greatest video in this field.

Best astro channel on RU-vid. Nico is a legend.

If you held an in person class I would gladly take it

Keep it rolling, Nico! This is what enthusiasts and beginners need to make good judgment on how to begin their journey in astrophotography.

Seriously , your a phenomenal teacher and really appreciate the info. Especially the longer videos . Too many 8 minute videos on a topic that could be talked about for hours in so many directions! Thank you for sharing your experiences

Tremendous! I’ve learned more about astrophotography and Photoshop from you in 2 days than I have from all other sources combined in the last 52 years!! Thank you Nico!

At 2:19:18 you cropped out an edge-on galaxy at the middle right edge. Small, but fascinating. Notwithstanding, a thoroughly excellent tutorial, as ever. Thank you Nico.

I wish you to know that, because of your TEACHING Skills and your attention to detail, I took my Used Orion 6 EQ Equatorial Mount Telescope a part and lubed and cleaned and adjusted the worm gears. I purchased this week a Orion 2 axis tracker and installed it. I went out, balanced my scope. Completed leveling my tripod, and fortuately for me I live in a low light pollution area of the desert southwest. Yesterday, was High Pressure Weather system and no ChmTsls. I knew it would be AMAZING Night as it was a NO Moon Nite. I aligned with Polaris spot on. It was early, no planets were up till after 1 AM, so I found Arcturus and with my Green Laser Pointer(No Finder Scope as the telescope was used when I purchased it, I purchased a upgrade finder from Orion, only to learn someone robbed the base, so that's on order. Anyway, I wish to share a trick I used in the past. Take the Eye Piece from the focuser, shine the Green Laser down the View Port and it reflects backwards and You can Guide your scope pretty close this way. So I found my star and AMAZING, Everything worked, even the two axis tracking. For a 65 year old disabled guy, that, well doesn't have a whole lot of good days. Last night was Perfect, the Air Temp was Shirt Sleeve, Everything worked and mostly because of your Love for sharing your knowledge, especially for free on RU-vid. I have a Canon 7D Mark 1 with CMOS. When you went through the Canon and showed the settings, WOW, I didn't even know my camera could do that. I've had it new for 12 years and it's an Amazing 18 MP Camera. I have a new 2 inch Focuser coming to Retro Fit my Orion and use my Canon with much anticipation for some Astrophotos. So, this is a Big THANK YOU. Also, if you send contact me at my email signstosee@aol.com, I have some very special images I will share with you with Infrared Filter. I captured the Infomus Planet x whatever you wish to call it. Trust me I'm no nut, on this part, It's a daytime capture coming from just above the Horns of Cetus Constellation. I'm very Biblical Person and was in my career of Law Enforcement/Paramedic 50 years. But CHRIST uses me in special ways. Maybe you know of the Lucifer Device Large Binocular Infrared Scope on Mt. Graham, AZ That was where my career was. As I said, I have special gifts in life from CHRIST and HE has shown me things, given me special gifts. On 4/23/2018, Pope Francis came on my local air TV station from El Paso TX and stated Something Biblical was coming, I knew what HE was speaking of, because of the Telescope the Vatican Owns in Arizona. I took my Canon, put the Infrared Filter on and started shooting in the area of the Sun, and this is where I captured the Planet X. I have pictures of the broadcast on Channel 14 displaying a Large Planet on a Computer Monitor on their set. This went on for 3 days. I've been doing Night Photography and have some really amazing captures of the Night Sky. Sorry for getting wordy, but email me and I'll share with you, Give Back A little something from all that I learned from you. Thank You, Thank You.

Thanks for all your hard work,in helping others learn this amazing hobby cheers from Wales U.K

Wow, I've been at astrophotography for almost 4 years now, and that tip about getting Polaris horizontally aligned in the live view before star alignment is killer

I'm an absolute novice to all this but there's a weight been lifted with this walk through you have recorded 🙏 thanks buddy

The best astrophotography tutorials....ever! Really in depth videos from start to finish....huge thanks and take care 😀😊

I thoroughly enjoy your method of sharing your techniques and equipment suggestions. You do not come across as a know it all who wants to talk others down to build himself up. Quality material always. Appreciate you so much. Thanks for every video you share.

Just getting back into astrophotography. Your great help! Lots of changes from film. Your shorting my learning curve. Thanks

Here is an AWARD from me for a very special fantastic video ‼️🌺. And I am not especially into neither photography nor stars. I think you have outstanding communication abilities ‼️

Bach and Telescope: Awesome. That preclude on C major from the Well Tempered Clavier (over the piano) and The Goldberg Variations are perfect fit for astronomy

Added this one to a new favourites group so i can watch it and appreciate it for all the work that has gone into it. Usually 2:33 is too long for me on youtube, but reading the comments, I dont think I will be disappointed by watching this one all the way thru and learning. Will report back on how I got on after watching the video ! Many thanks, Alan K aka Alze.

I thoroughly enjoy how you take the time to explain not just getting the images, but also the post processing and tips and tricks to help fix little things that aren't immediately obvious (such as dust, or in the case of this video, wonky colors out of DSS and all.) Keep up the awesome work.

We need more people like him in this world. Thanks man.

Very grateful for this tremendous amount of work that you had Nico! It is a great resource, as it consciously goes all over the newbies' death ends with comprehensible detail and vocabulary. Thanks a lot Nico.

Thank you very much..I live in a light polluted city, so I never expected to see any deep sky object from my rooftop..but today I tried to capture the orion nebula for the first time with my dslr.. though I made a lot Of mistakes, its not at all close to perfect, but still I am so excited after seeing the result, I never knew a dslr can do this.. thank you for the motivation..

I've never done astrophotography before. It's very complex but your video helped give me a good overall impression of the process. Maybe one day I'll give it a try. I found your channel after watching videos on Helena's astrophotography channel. Thank you for the in depth instruction. You are a great teacher. I'm amazed at the final results of your photograph, considering the environment that you captured it from.

Awesome this will come in handy with my galaxies capture. Thank you for your time making it.

The effort deserve a like.

GREAT VIDEO. Best way is to challenge yourself with conditions you are in and apply yourself to that. Very engagingly presented.

Great video, I think my photoshop skills increased with 400%

Like it when you do consider softwares of different platforms for users of different backgrounds. Thank you and appreciate all the thoughts.

Awesome video, it's not often I sit all the way through a 2.5 hour presentation. Nicely done 👍

This is an amazing tutorial. I felt as though I was sitting with you in your garden while you explained what you were doing. Thank you so much for the effort you put in to your vids.

Man i love what u doing! YOU made me crazy about astrophotography with your work and videos.... Im complete beginner and noob but .. one day... Thank you for all work you put into these videos and for nice and detail explaining. U keep doing i will keep learning and see you in space :)

I’ve watched previous posts you’ve done before occasionally, but this one is the best for me as a beginner. So now I’m hooked👍

Thank you so much for this video!!! I can't wait to break out my little 70mm refractor and the DSLR again to grab that galaxy! :)

Nico, big Thank you so much for what you do for amateur astrophotographers. Your videos are perfect and detailed. Very good work 👏

Great video! Thank you for taking so much time :)

Man this channel is amazing, I love to learn about Astrophysics, Relativity etc., but I am thinking of taking up Astrophotography as a hobby so I can capture those photons and appreciate them myself and I was overwhelmed at where to start. I still dont know much about photography but your channel is a great starting point. Thanks for the amazing content

I can’t thank you enough for putting in the effort to explain these details!

Thank you for such an in depth walk through. Its a real service to us aspiring armature astrophotographers. Thank you!

I was watching lot of videos about astrophotography since last year. It is not because I am an astrophotographer. It is because of my interest. I was sure that I can't afford that much money to buy good telescopes. Then I saw his videos. I think this is gonna help me very much in near future if I can afford money to buy a good camera.

This is a goldmine of AAA information both on capturing those images and in the use of the various software tools. The Photoshop tutorial alone was incredibly well done. Thank you so much for this Nico! I'll hopefully be retiring in a couple of years and this and your other excellent videos will form the foundation of enjoying a hobby I've always wanted to get into. Subscribed.

Great detailed video; taught me a lot on all facets of Astro photography, thx.

Absolutely perfect tutorial for beginners like me. Also nice to know that this can be accomplished in bad light pollution areas - I'm in a Bortle 8-9, so there's hope! Thanks again

That is a very comprehensive tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

Your videos are so helpful to lots of beginners in astrophotography! You have a great way of explaining everything

Very valuable! Love your videos, they help me avoid a lot of hassle. The learning curve for astrophotography is steep enough anyway. Thank you!

Superb video! Up until now, my stretching involved exposure, highlights, shadows, blacks and whites in the Photoshop Raw filter but you've introduced me to a world of other possibilities, especially stretching each channel individually. Thanks for making better sense of the flats and bias frames too! It's great to listen to someone who is expert but modest and subject to the same processing trial and error anguish we all face.

Oh my God , I started this adventure on 2 waning moons ago . Sence then I’ve watched many videos most of them helpful , on everything I’m doing now . They all missed something. You nailed it perfectly. So I will becom a patreon. Just the part of this video in post processing is very specific in that I new then you will be my goto guy for this hobby . I only had one question but will ask later. Thank you so much

Thank You for a very comprehensive presentation. Looking forward to your GIMP post processing version. I learned quite a bit from this video.

Love these start to finish videos they are very detailed

You're just the best astrophotography teacher ever! ♥️🖖

Excellent explanation with detail in all the relevant bits.thanks. Have subscribed and look forward to viewing your other videos.

Glad to find this channel, just got an iOptron SkyTtacker and ready to go!!!

This was such a great guide. My first time doing Astrophotography and after following your instructions i was able to get some really nice photos with my 8" Dobsonian. Thank you!

Thank you!! I really enjoyed the video and was able to apply some of the techniques shown and saw immediate results.

Fantastic video!!!, I watched many videos during the years, this is the best one I have found about astrophotography!!! Well done !!!

So nice, I will come back to your channel in a few years, when I hopefully can afford the gear. Greetings from Hamburg, Germany :)

Fantastic tutorial Nico! I used your Orion Nebula to get the best photo of M-51 I've ever had! I also learned to take only one target at night as opposed to multiple targets, more pic's more detail. Your explanations are fantastic compared to other's I've seen! Thank you VERY much, Nico!! Keep them coming! 👍

Quality content indeed. Been interested in astrophotography for a long while but too intimidated to take those first steps, you have not only encouraged me to start but given me the greatest enthusiasm for this beautiful hobby

Wow! Nico, you are such a class act, man! I'm just getting into astro and you just keep the info coming! Thank you so much for everything you do. It really helps and I definitely learn more with you than anywhere else. If you're ever down in Costa Rica, let me know! It'd be so awesome to be able t thank you in person and show you around, maybe even do some shooting together. Thanks again, Nico! Can't stop saying it enough.

Absolutely amazing keep up the good work,👌

Fantastic video and I truly appreciate the work involved in making it. I found the step by step process invaluable. I was with you every step until you started to tamper with the gradient in Adobe. That’s when my sensory overload fuse blew 😵‍💫

Easily the best tutorial I've seen for a start to finish for any subject. Great than you!

Hi Nico, Just stumbled on your channel. I have wanted to try Astro Photography. I thought I needed a telescope. Seeing your videos says otherwise. One nice things about Magic Lantern is that once you pull the CF card out of your camera and insert one without ML it goes back to stock Canon Firmware. I have had it on my 50D and works great. You can even do video but without audio. Thanks for sharing.

Superb video as always. Thanks Nico!

You're inspiring a lot of people Nico! Keep up the good work.

This was incredible, you should also mention that Pinwheel M101 has the LOWEST surface brightess out of all Messier objects. Ca. 24 mag/secondOfArc^2. Hence, digging it out of light pollution is an incredible feat. PS. Typical zenith brightness in A DESERT is 22 mag/secOfArc^2. In bortle 6 it's 18. This is 40 times more background than pinwheel signal.

So glad you decided not to follow your father's career path. Rest in peace Carson Wells.... but seriously best walk through for astrophotography I've seen on RU-vid. Many thanks sir!

You are the best in terms of guide videos on how to do this!

Love the detailed information and the step by step explanation. Im currently waiting for some clear nights to shoot the M101, when this video shows up. How serendipitous!

Best astr video very detailed! thank you for your effects I can wait to see the next one

How time flies ! Was a nice sweater by the way ;)

Good sir, I absolutely love your content. It is extremely digestible. It speaks to my skill level as well as my price range. I do feel you will have a meteoric rise in the Astrophotography help class of videos. Again, thank you so much for your time and effort.

I learned so much tonight! Thank you!

Brilliant. Learning so much from your videos.

It is so great, because of the lots of details, no rush. Thank you, Nico! Superb work there! Just one note... For my eye, which is an outsider's eye, pulling back the sky to a black or a nearly black level and getting rid of the noise would be way more important than to reserve 0.00001% of presumed information that we can't see anyway, let's be honest, because we are not eagles. I would waive of that invisible information for the sake of getting rid of what surely does disturb the eye on the other hand. If this picture must be a part of some scientific research (but then you would use some totally different gear in the first place, I guess, and much more integration time), then I understand, otherwise I'd just make the image poppy. :) But I learnt a lot, I'm really grateful. Thanks again! :)

Excellent videos with understandable instructions and tips. Contents with times and indexed timeline makes these really easy to use and save for future reference. Keep up the good work. I especially like seeing the Photoshop instructions and workflows.