Reviews, comparisons and overviews of the best gear for astrophotography
Hey everyone! ToupTek sent me their new AE676M mono camera with their AFM mini Filterwheel, so I took it out on a first light adventure with the main goal of capturing Saturn, which is almost in opposition. When it comes to planetary imaging, monochrome cameras … Continue readingToupTek AE676M Mono Camera Review: First Light on Saturn & The Moon
Normally, I skip previews on Wido’s AstroForum as I prefer focusing on real-world testing from my urban rooftop. However, DWARFLAB’s new Draco smart telescope is different, as I believe it might fundamentally change amateur astrophotography in the years to come. So let me make this … Continue readingDraco Smart Telescope Preview: Goodbye nerdy Astro rigs?
The ToupTek HOPE D60 enters the wide-field astrophotography space aiming to deliver fast optical speed in a compact refractor design. Running at a fast f/4.66, it promises quick signal collection. I took it on a first light mission to photograph the expansive North America Nebula … Continue readingFirst Light Review: ToupTek HOPE D60 Astrograph
For astrophotographers who want a fast, dedicated wide-field imaging setup, finding a balance between optical quality, back-focus simplicity, and modular expansion is key. SVBONY’s SV545 45mm f/4.5 Petzval Astrograph aims directly at this sweet spot. Equipped with optional extra’s —such as the SVBONY’s Off-Axis Guider … Continue readingFirst Light Review: SVBONY SV545 Petzval Astrograph & Accessory Ecosystem
Harmonic drive (strain wave) mounts represent a massive leap forward for portable astrophotography. Instead of relying on heavy traditional gears and bulky counterweights, they utilize compact, high-torque robotic gears that pack incredible lifting power into featherweight bodies under 5 kg (11 lbs). With these next-gen … Continue readingBest Harmonic Drive Mounts for Astrophotography in 2026
By Wido Oerlemans | Last updated: June 2026 If you are hunting for the ideal beginner astrophotography mount, you have likely realized that the 8–15 kg payload range is the ultimate sweet spot for deep-sky imaging. If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge strain … Continue readingBest Beginner Telescope Mounts for Astrophotography (2026 Guide)
What advanced telescope mount is best suited to carry heavy, long focal length telescopes with reliable, sub-arcsecond tracking? If you decide to go with a time-tested classic equatorial mount, the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is still one of the best and most affordable options available. The … Continue readingBest Advanced Telescope Mounts for Astrophotography (2026 guide)
By: Wido Oerlemans | June 27, 2026 It sounds like the ultimate too-good-to-be-true internet ad: A lightweight, dual-axis strain wave (harmonic drive) telescope mount with massive payload capacity, zero backlash, and a price tag that shatters mainstream retail. If you have spent any time browsing … Continue readingA Sub-$1,000 Strain Wave Mount?: Comparing the budget Teseek & Juwei 14/17 to the mainstream ZWO AM3N/AM5N
There is a specific moment in every astrophotographer’s journey that changes everything. You’ve spent months, maybe years, shooting wide nebula fields with a crisp triplet refractor. You’ve mastered the Orion Nebula, tracked the Pleiades, and captured the vast tendrils of the Veil. But then, late … Continue readingThe Ultimate Celestron EdgeHD Buying & Astrophotography Guide
Few pieces of equipment have completely reshaped the landscape of modern astrophotography quite like the William Optics RedCat 51. When it first launched, it shattered the unwritten rule that serious deep-sky astrophotography required a massive, frustratingly complex, multi-thousand-dollar optical system. Instead, the community was handed … Continue readingThe Ultimate William Optics RedCat 51 Guide: Every Version Explained, Real-World Pros & Cons, and Buying Guide