Back to forums

Hello! Is This a Good First Deep-Sky Setup? (Nikon Zf-Based Rig)

Introductions
Deniz Üzelandrea tasselli
•32 replies•535 views
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Hi everyone,

I've been passionate about astrophotography for a long time, and now I'm planning to build my first complete deep-sky imaging rig. After a lot of research, I've put together a list of gear I intend to buy. But before I go all in, I’d really appreciate your feedback.

I want to know: is this a good, well-balanced setup for deep-sky astrophotography (DSO)? Would you change or improve anything?

Here’s the full setup I’m considering:
  • William Optics Zenithstar 73 APO refractor
  • William Optics Flat73A adjustable field flattener (M48 thread, full-frame compatible)
  • Nikon Zf full-frame mirrorless camera (24.5MP)(i already have this camera thats why i am using it)
  • M48 Nikon Z T-ring adapter (for proper 55mm backfocus)
  • William Optics 50mm guide scope
  • ZWO ASI120MM Mini mono guide camera
  • Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro GoTo equatorial mount
  • ZWO ASIAIR Plus (for full control: camera, guiding, mount, etc.)
  • EcoFlow River 2 Max (512Wh LiFePO₄ power station with regulated 12.6V DC output)



I’m aiming to shoot nebulae, large galaxies, and star fields with a full-frame sensor, mostly from semi-light polluted areas, but with some travel to darker skies. I won’t be adding an electronic focuser yet — I plan to focus manually for now.

Would this setup work well for DSO imaging? Are there any compatibility issues, weak spots, or better alternatives I should consider?

Thanks so much in advance, clear skies!
Well Written Respectful Engaging
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
I'm not really experienced in the ASIAIR at all but I'll bet one of my rigs against an half-penny that isn't the best combination with a DSLR/ML. And I don't think the ZenithStar will do well either. Since you have Nikon camera why not pair it with a proper long Nikon lens? Having said that I'd be looking at Askar's 4" APO, still cheap but with good correction and 1" more in aperture.
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you for the reply! I was going with the ZenithStar because i will get a new ZWO camera later on… I already have this camera and didin't want to buy a new one currently. Do you think i can still learn and improve Deep-Sky astrophotography with this setup ? Frankly, instead of building a setup later, I wanted to get used to this rig now for a camera I'll be replacing this year. Do you think it will set me back a lot in terms of performance and learning? (By the way, is there a camera you can recommend to me for a starter?)
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
I would not forgo electronic focusing. For what you want to do the integration times are going to be long, like dusk to dawn, especially with a DSLR. Do you really want to stay up all night to maintain focus? That and the fact that electronic auto focus will be a lot more accurate than doing it manually. It's the single most valuable thing you can add to a rig, especially a refractor. I would also think twice about an ASIAIR. It's simple and it works but you'll loose flexibility and choice in the long run.
Helpful Insightful Respectful Concise Engaging
David DeShan avatar
David DeShan avatar
One concern I would have.  The ASIAir only supports devices that have the appropriate INDI drivers installed. All of ZWO's products (well almost all) are supported. For 3rd party peripherals only mounts and select DSLR's are supported.  So, I would make certain that the Sky-Watcher mount and Nikon camera are supported by the AsiAir.
Well Written Helpful Insightful Concise
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you for the responce ! I heard that EAF will not work with dslr using asiair i don't know if it is true or not. Dose the EAF work by it self without a software ? Also do you have any suggestions for me on upgradüng my camera later on ?

CS
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Hello
Thank you David for the responce. So what would you do in my situation, i am still between buying a new camera dedicated for this job or keeping my DSLR for a year or a while.

CS
Ancient.Photon avatar
Ancient.Photon avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro



Your list looks pretty good to me. with the Focal length and full frame camera you can definitely capture nice wide filed shots of nebulae and bigger galaxies. And its good that you are  planning for a dedicated astro camera for sometime in the future. Only feedback is since you are also looking to travel to dark sky sites you may want to reconsider your mount - your current selection, the HEQ5 has a payload capacity of 30lbs with a weight of 30lbs (including counterweight). the strain wave mount would be travel friendly. 
have a blast capturing DSOs. cheers!
Helpful Concise Supportive
David DeShan avatar
David DeShan avatar
I think you have a good plan. I use an ASIAIR.  This page lists compatible cameras,  https://www.zwoastro.com/product/asiair-plus/ So if your camera is on the list it should be ok.  I’m not sure about the mount, but you should be able to do a search and see if others are using that mount with an ASIAIR.  Another option would be be NINA, which has broader equipment compatibility
Helpful
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Thank you for the responce ! I heard that EAF will not work with dslr using asiair i don't know if it is true or not. Dose the EAF work by it self without a software ? Also do you have any suggestions for me on upgradüng my camera later on ?

CS

If your camera works with the ASIAIR the electronic focuser will work as well. Your camera needs to be compatible for any of this to work at all.
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Thank you for the reply! I was going with the ZenithStar because i will get a new ZWO camera later on... I already have this camera and didin't want to buy a new one currently. Do you think i can still learn and improve Deep-Sky astrophotography with this setup ? Frankly, instead of building a setup later, I wanted to get used to this rig now for a camera I'll be replacing this year. Do you think it will set me back a lot in terms of performance and learning? (By the way, is there a camera you can recommend to me for a starter?)

*For use of DSLR or ML camera nothing beats APT and for that you need a laptop or similar device. If you need to learn the best way is to do it the hard way so no clutches like the ASIAIR. As for camera, DSLR/ML are a different game from dedicated astronomy camera although the general procedure is very close. Performance wise the difference is rather large especially if the DSLR/ML isn't modified for astro-work which is what yours is, I suppose. Don't think about going for full frame, content yourself with APS-C size and your life is going to be much much easier, regardless which scope you're getting.  As for recommendation I'd go for the PlayerOne cameras and if you can afford it the one with IMX571 sensor. They are expensive but they are very good. If your budget doesn't stretch this far the next in the line are the one based on IMX294 sensor and then the ones based on IMX533 sensors, with smaller and smaller sensors. Again, PlayerOne is the maker of my choice.
Helpful
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you Tony. Just to make sure, is it possible to autofocus on my mac laptop using software if my ASIAIR is not available for my camera ?
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you so much for the suggestion Andrea. I will take a look at the cameras that are in those sizes for sure. Thank you once again.

CS
Well Written Respectful
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Thank you Tony. Just to make sure, is it possible to autofocus on my mac laptop using software if my ASIAIR is not available for my camera ?

I'm sure there is, just not anything I have direct experience with. Unfortunately the widely used NINA is Windows only. I suppose you could run it using a windows emulator and again, not something I have experience with. I'm sure there are Apple users here that could help you with that.
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you once again. Also what do you guys think about ZWO ASI585MC PRO ? It is in my budget and there are many good reviews about it on Youtube. Would you recommend it for me instead of Nikon ZF and also for beginning ?

https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/11857/s/zwo-asi585mc-pro-cooled-color-astronomy-imaging-camera?rfsn=7382628.cf60d1
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Thank you once again. Also what do you guys think about ZWO ASI585MC PRO ? It is in my budget and there are many good reviews about it on Youtube. Would you recommend it for me instead of Nikon ZF and also for beginning ?

https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/11857/s/zwo-asi585mc-pro-cooled-color-astronomy-imaging-camera?rfsn=7382628.cf60d1

No. Wasted money.
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Oh do you have any recommendations of specific cameras to buy for my rig ? Thank you.

CS
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Budget?
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Something about 500 -1000 euros on camera
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Possibly the best deal for you is an IMX533 cooled camera.

Ares-C Pro USB3.0 Color Cooled Camera (IMX533) – Player One Astronomy

Or slightly more expensive:

Artemis-C Pro (IMX294) USB3.0 Color Cooled Camera – Player One Astronomy
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Than you so much for the cameras you suggested, but isint their any ZWO camera that are worth to buy in that price range ? (because i will use a ZWO ASIAIR Plus)
Deepan Vishal avatar
Deepan Vishal avatar
Hi,

Getting started is the most important of all. The items are reasonable to get started. 

few suggestions - 
Having Autofocuser really helps. (Highly recommend this)

I doubt if the william optics flattener truly corrects the stars in the edges of the full frame. Even if it corrects, I am guessing you may have to struggle with backfocus. I struggled with dialing correct backfocus for APS-C sensor. 

If you prefer full frame (Nikon), you may have to look at telescopes that support full frame. Not sure, may be the smaller CAT series from william optics, or the smaller SQA series or FRA from askar. 

If you are open for new cameras, ASI533MC is the most minimum I’d look at. 

So depending upon your budget and needs, you may consider a different OTA or camera, if not now, later.
Helpful
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
Deniz Üzel:
Thank you once again. Also what do you guys think about ZWO ASI585MC PRO ? It is in my budget and there are many good reviews about it on Youtube. Would you recommend it for me instead of Nikon ZF and also for beginning ?

https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/11857/s/zwo-asi585mc-pro-cooled-color-astronomy-imaging-camera?rfsn=7382628.cf60d1

I have used the color and mono versions and it's a great little sensor. It's a great choice if you want to keep the price low and still have a cooled camera.
Deniz Üzel avatar
Deniz Üzel avatar
Thank you Deepan for the respons ! I am considering adding a EAF to my list right now. Also currently i was checking on the camera just you told me the ASI533MC pro version. Also do you think that ASIAIR is a good investment to go for ? Do you also think that ASI585MC pro is a waste of money for beginning ?

CS
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
An electronic focuser is very much NOT necessary when beginning (or ever). Have a look at my gallery and none of those pictures there not taken remotely ever used an EAF. It's a nice to have gadget but you should really think about investing money in either camera or telescope if funds are restricted. And let's not forget about NB/LP filters which in a LP environment are very much a NECESSITY. And the filter holder too.