Cheapskate's Home Page

Cheapskate Astrophotography
There's more to light than meets the eye.

Greetings from 34º North, 119º West

This site will always be under construction.

Image Galleries
Raw files are included in the galleries so you can see what you'll actually catch when photographing these objects.
Unprocessed stacks of raw files can be downloaded for those who want to try their hand at processing them.
When I learn a new processing technique or catch more raw images of a target I'll reprocess and post the new image.

Technical Stuff

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Astrophotography is more affordable than most people realize. While it can be one of the most
expensive hobbies, it doesn't necessarily cost an arm and a leg – just a few fingers. Maybe a toe.
You can take good astrophotos with just a camera and a tripod!

High-end equipment can cost over $100,000. My equipment is decidedly low-end. I spent $160
for my lunar/planetary reflector, and about $2100 for my deep sky gear. The majority of my
exposures are shot with no guiding (automated or otherwise).

Adjust your monitor until you see 20 shades of grey from white to black.

Check out the Milky Way mosaic. A view of the galaxy you live in. Click to enlarge.

Comet Holmes, October 2007 (click to enlarge).

Dendrobium Orchid Blooming - 60 hours condensed to 36 seconds.
720 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes.
Time lapse video.
MOV file (101 meg)
MP4 file (3 meg)

Blue Vanda orchid blooming - 50 hours condensed to 31 seconds.
621 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes.
Time lapse video:
MOV file (75 meg)
MP4 file (3 meg)

Cymbidium orchid blooming - 100 hours condensed to 40 seconds.
1029 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes.
Time lapse video:
AVI file (4.2 meg)
MP4 file (3.2 meg)

To see a video of the August 2007 lunar eclipse click here:
MOV file
MP4 file

To see a video of a rare lightning storm in Santa Barbara CA click here:
MOV file
MP4 file

Sometimes during imaging sessions I have visitors:

View my shooting arena here.

Contact Me

Content (except Homer) ©2007 Eric A. Jacob.

Cheapskate Astrophotography There's more to light than meets the eye. Greetings from 34º North, 119º West This site will always be under construction.
Image Galleries Raw files are included in the galleries so you can see what you'll actually catch when photographing these objects. Unprocessed stacks of raw files can be downloaded for those who want to try their hand at processing them. When I learn a new processing technique or catch more raw images of a target I'll reprocess and post the new image.


Technical Stuff
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Astrophotography is more affordable than most people realize. While it can be one of the most expensive hobbies, it doesn't necessarily cost an arm and a leg – just a few fingers. Maybe a toe. You can take good astrophotos with just a camera and a tripod! High-end equipment can cost over $100,000. My equipment is decidedly low-end. I spent $160 for my lunar/planetary reflector, and about $2100 for my deep sky gear. The majority of my exposures are shot with no guiding (automated or otherwise). Adjust your monitor until you see 20 shades of grey from white to black. Check out the Milky Way mosaic. A view of the galaxy you live in. Click to enlarge. Comet Holmes, October 2007 (click to enlarge). Dendrobium Orchid Blooming - 60 hours condensed to 36 seconds. 720 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes. Time lapse video. MOV file (101 meg) MP4 file (3 meg) Blue Vanda orchid blooming - 50 hours condensed to 31 seconds. 621 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes. Time lapse video: MOV file (75 meg) MP4 file (3 meg) Cymbidium orchid blooming - 100 hours condensed to 40 seconds. 1029 exposures, 1 every 5 minutes. Time lapse video: AVI file (4.2 meg) MP4 file (3.2 meg) To see a video of the August 2007 lunar eclipse click here: MOV file MP4 file To see a video of a rare lightning storm in Santa Barbara CA click here: MOV file MP4 file Sometimes during imaging sessions I have visitors: View my shooting arena here. Contact Me Content (except Homer) ©2007 Eric A. Jacob.