Telescope Build for Deep Space photography

$1K Scope (main and guide)

$1K Mount

$1K Cameras (main and guide)

$1K Filters, Focuser, software, other misc

I also suggest starting with a small refractor around 80mm aperture, as it makes everything simpler to being with. No fiddling with collimation. There are lots of large deep space targets to start with.

I also forgot the tripod. Look for second hand items that aren’t the electronics.

Ricky · Jan 30, 2026, 04:13 AM

i’m looking for advice on the best deep space Astro photography telescope build with a $4K budget.

Do you have anything in particular you’d like it image? My thing has always been Nebula.

But there are many targets out in deep space. Galaxies, Clusters, Nebulae, Etc.

When I was starting out I spent 5 months building wish lists as I studied how to get out there.

I began with an 80mm triplet Refractor. It kept me fascinated for over 9 years, then the update bug bit me.

It’s a tough nut to crack when you are starting out. This is an expensive sport to start out in.

It’s been said, and it is true, the mount is the most important for Astrophotography. It is the foundation for whatever telescope you choose to start with. And it needs to be one designed with AP in mind. You would find poor success with the wrong mount. I made that rookie mistake.

My ED80T CF telescope was good for what it was. And now it lives with 3 of the grandkids and they enjoy the heck out of it. So as long as it is bringing joy, I’d say it was worth the $1000 it cost back then. They just use it for visual. A triplet refractor can do both easily, other telescopes not so much. it depends on which style they are.

Then comes the camera. best to invest in a true Astro Imaging camera. they are built to do the specialized work of AP.

You could probably stretch your money pretty far buying pre-enjoyed equipment. It has its risks though. There is something to be said about having a warranty in case the part turns to crap on you.

In spite of a very rough and rocky start for me, I’ve persevered and kept going. I didn’t get so frustrated that I gave up. Oh, I had lots of nights I quit. But I came back out the next night and kept trying. After a while I began winning. I took thousands of picturds. Then I’d get a picture here and there.

Have you considered something like a SeeStar or equivalent? You could enter with one of those types and then down the road get more expensive items. Or not, just work with a SeeStar type and learn how to coax the best out of it. I’ve seen some impressive images from them lately. They basically have a cell phone camera in them, and electronics to make them practically self running.

Los of ways to skin a cat, without breaking the bank.

I would recommend a short or mid-focal length triplet or petzval refractor (200-600mm) (with flattener/reducer if not a flat field scope), an Eq6r-Pro or equivalent mount, a 585 or 533mc pro for main camera, ASI 120mm mini or 220mm mini for guiding, a small 40-50mm guidescope, EAF, and AsiAir controller. You can find these items used to save money and you'd probably be well under 4k, with enough saved to buy a filter drawer and a couple filters (maybe a UV/IR cut and duo-band filter, or perhaps a LP filter if needed).