Equipment reference

Astrophotography Capture Setup

A public reference for Chris Hollander's current backyard astrophotography setup, organized around the hardware, power, accessories, deployment practices, and experimental rig profiles used around regular capture sessions.

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4rig profiles

2active nightly rigs

49inventory rows

45confirmed entries

Two Seestar telescopes on tripod-mounted backyard rigs in daylight. — **Two active nightly rigs** S30 Pro on the left, S50 on the right, with paver footings, ballast, and weather-protected power nearby.

Core setup

Capture baseline and experiments

This page is a compact equipment and deployment reference for the astrophotography setup. It keeps the physical stack, power path, accessories, experimental rigs, and operating assumptions in one place.

Scopes Seestar S50, Seestar S30 Pro, experimental Nikon D5300 / FMA135, and Celestron NexStar 5SE / D5300

Default deployment S50 on K&F; S30 Pro on S20530; D5300 / FMA135 on AZ-GTi with INNOREL wedge; NexStar 5SE on its stock tripod / wedge and NexStar+ GoTo mount

Nightly pattern Two active Seestar tripod setups plus two experimental DSLR rig profiles

Filter rule Seestar filters work across the S50 and S30 Pro; the SVBONY filter drawer belongs to the NexStar 5SE / D5300 imaging train

Power pattern Backyard outlet to weather-protected charger enclosure to dedicated scope cables

Dew control Built-in dew heaters on both Seestar scopes plus external shields

Physical stack

Key rig components

tripod mount telescope

Rig	Tripod	Mount / head	Telescope
S30 Pro Active nightly	Sky-Watcher tripod	Sky-Watcher pier extension + Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (S20530)	ZWO Seestar S30 Pro
S50 Active nightly	Sky-Watcher tripod	Sky-Watcher pier extension + K&F CONCEPT 3-Way Geared Tripod Head	ZWO Seestar S50
D5300 / FMA135 Experimental	Original Seestar S50 tripod	INNOREL wedge + Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi (S21110)	Nikon D5300 + Askar FMA135
5SE / D5300 Experimental	Celestron NexStar SE tripod with built-in wedge	Celestron NexStar+ GoTo mount	Celestron NexStar 5SE OTA

S30 Pro

Default S30 Pro Rig

Active nightly Left side in the reference two-rig photo

Secondary / wider-field companion scope

1 Tripod

Sky-Watcher tripod

2 Pier extension

Sky-Watcher pier extension

3 Mount/base

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (S20530)

4 Telescope

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

5 Power

USB-A to USB-C power cable routed up tripod leg

6 Stability

Vibration pad at foot plus ballast / stabilization

S30 Pro normally runs on the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude setup.

USB-A to USB-C via DEWALT DXMA1311349 braided cable, 10 ft

Can use any owned filter.

S50

Default S50 Rig

Active nightly Right side in the reference two-rig photo

Primary smart telescope / imaging scope

1 Tripod

Sky-Watcher tripod

2 Pier extension

Sky-Watcher pier extension

3 Mount/head

K&F CONCEPT 3-Way Geared Tripod Head

4 Telescope

ZWO Seestar S50

5 Power

USB-C power cable routed up tripod leg

6 Stability

Vibration pad at foot plus ballast / stabilization

S50 normally runs on the K&F geared-head setup.

USB-C to USB-C via DEWALT DXMA1310034, 20 ft, 60W, charge-only

Can use any owned filter.

D5300 / FMA135

Experimental DSLR Rig

Experimental Experimental rig

Experimental wide-field DSLR / refractor setup

1 Tripod

Original Seestar S50 tripod

2 Wedge

INNOREL wedge

3 Mount

Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi (S21110)

4 Imaging train

Nikon D5300 + Askar FMA135

5 Pointing aid

Green laser pointer

D5300 / FMA135 runs as an experimental wide-field setup on the AZ-GTi with INNOREL wedge and original Seestar S50 tripod.

Field power and cable routing are still being refined for this rig.

Uses the green laser pointer as a setup / pointing aid.

5SE / D5300

Celestron NexStar 5SE DSLR Rig

Experimental Assembled fourth rig

Assembled fourth rig for longer-focal-length DSLR imaging experiments

1 Tripod / wedge

Celestron NexStar SE tripod with built-in wedge

2 GoTo mount

Celestron NexStar+ GoTo mount

3 OTA

Celestron NexStar 5SE OTA

4 Camera body

Nikon D5300

5 Filter drawer

SVBONY filter drawer

NexStar 5SE / D5300 uses the stock Celestron tripod with built-in wedge, NexStar+ GoTo mount, Celestron NexStar 5SE OTA, and Nikon D5300.

Power path for the NexStar mount and D5300 imaging train still needs a final field note.

Includes the SVBONY filter drawer in the D5300 imaging train.

Equipment inventory

Confirmed equipment and accessories

Imaging Telescopes / Smart Scopes

Category	Item	Status	Notes
Smart scope	ZWO Seestar S50	Confirmed	Primary smart telescope / imaging scope
Smart scope	ZWO Seestar S30 Pro	Confirmed	Secondary smart telescope / wider-field companion scope
Refractor	Askar 30 mm Ultra Wide Field APO Refractor	Confirmed	Ultra-wide-field APO refractor; current product link uses High Point Scientific
Wide-field refractor	Askar FMA135	Experimental	Used with Nikon D5300 on the experimental rig
Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA	Celestron NexStar 5SE OTA	Confirmed	OTA for the assembled NexStar 5SE / D5300 rig
Dew control	Built-in dew heater on Seestar S50	Confirmed	Integrated into telescope
Dew control	Built-in dew heater on Seestar S30 Pro	Confirmed	Integrated into telescope

Filters

All owned Seestar filters work with either Seestar telescope.

Filter	Brand / Model	Type	Compatible With	Status	Notes
UHC filter	Astromania UHC	Broadband-selective / UHC	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	UHC option
Moon filter	SVBONY Moon filter	Lunar / planetary brightness reduction	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	Mainly for Moon / bright targets
Dual-band filter	SVBONY SV220 2-inch 7nm	SII + OIII	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	SII/OIII option
Broadband LP filter	Optolong L-Pro	Broadband light-pollution filter	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	Documented setup filter
Dual narrowband filter	Optolong L-Extreme	Dual narrowband	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	Documented setup filter
Quad-band filter	Optolong L-Quad enhance	Narrowband with partial continuum/star color preservation	S50, S30 Pro	Confirmed	Documented setup filter

Mounts / Heads / Bases / Tripod Hardware

Category	Item	Status	Notes
Head / positioning hardware	K&F CONCEPT 3-Way Geared Tripod Head	Confirmed	Normal default mount/head for the S50
Head / positioning hardware	INNOREL F20 Fluid Head	Confirmed	Part of the mount toolkit
Wedge / equatorial adapter	INNOREL wedge	Experimental	Used under the AZ-GTi in the experimental D5300 / FMA135 rig
EQ base / wedge-style hardware	Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (S20530)	Confirmed	Normal default mount/base for the S30 Pro
GoTo mount	Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi (S21110)	Experimental	Used in the experimental D5300 / FMA135 rig
GoTo mount	Celestron NexStar+ GoTo mount	Confirmed	Used in the assembled NexStar 5SE / D5300 rig
Tripod / wedge	Celestron NexStar SE tripod with built-in wedge	Confirmed	Stock Celestron tripod and wedge hardware for the NexStar 5SE setup
Tripod setup pattern	Two active nightly tripod setups	Confirmed	Regular two-rig nightly pattern
Deployment pattern	Quasi-permanent backyard tripod setup	Confirmed	Main tripods stay outside; telescopes move in and out
Tripod	Original Seestar S50 tripod	Confirmed	Used for the experimental DSLR rig; retained as backup tripod
Stability accessory	Astromania Anti Vibration Pads for Telescope Mount & Camera Tripod (3-pack)	Confirmed	Vibration suppression pads used in regular setup
Stability accessory	Tripod weights / ballast setup	Confirmed	Used for added stability
Stability accessory	Desmond DRBG Universal Adjustable Tripod Rock Weight Anchor Bag	Confirmed	Adjustable tripod anchor bag / stone bag for ballast
Tripod	Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Tripod (S20555)	Confirmed	Compatible with AZGT Series and AZ5 mounts; used in setup toolkit
Pier extensions	Sky-Watcher pier extensions	Confirmed	Used with both active rigs; exact model details can be added later

Scope Accessories

Accessory	Quantity	Status	Notes
Filter holders for Seestar S50	3	Confirmed	External filter holder set
Filter holders for Seestar S30 Pro	2	Confirmed	External filter holder set
Dew shields	Multiple	Confirmed	Includes additional/custom dew shields
Bahtinov masks	Multiple	Confirmed	Focus-assist accessories
Diffraction spike accessories / masks	Multiple	Confirmed	Decorative / imaging effect accessories
Filter drawer	SVBONY filter drawer	Confirmed	Included in the NexStar 5SE / D5300 imaging train
Custom / 3D-printed accessories	Multiple	Confirmed	Includes holders, masks, and related printed components
Flat / calibration aids	Magnetic flat-field calibration panel / target	Confirmed	White circular flat target mounted on a black plate with corner magnets; used for flats

Cameras / Devices / Software

Category	Item	Status	Notes
Imaging camera	Built-in Seestar S50 imaging camera	Confirmed	Integrated camera
Imaging camera	Built-in Seestar S30 Pro imaging camera	Confirmed	Integrated camera
DSLR camera body	Nikon D5300	Confirmed	Camera body for the experimental D5300 / FMA135 and NexStar 5SE / D5300 rigs
Computer	M2 MacBook Air	Confirmed	Processing / planning / workflow
Mobile device	Most recent iPhone	Confirmed	Telescope control / field use
Software	Siril	Confirmed	Current stacking / processing workflow
Software	PixInsight	Under evaluation	Considering / in transition

Setup And Field Accessories

Category	Item	Status	Notes
Setup accessory	Green laser pointer	Confirmed	Used as an astronomy setup / pointing aid; currently part of the experimental DSLR rig
Mounting accessory	Ring-style mount for laser pointer	Confirmed	Mount used to hold the green laser pointer
Mounting accessory	Vixen shoe adapter for Seestar S50	Confirmed	Adapter used with the S50 for mounted accessories
Field light	Celestron headlamp	Confirmed	Red-light field headlamp
Field light	Black Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp	Confirmed	Rechargeable 500-lumen headlamp for field setup and teardown
Phone mounting accessory	MagSafe tripod mount for iPhone	Confirmed	Compatible with the mount toolkit

Power system

Weather-protected backyard power chain

Field power chain

Stage	Item	Status	Notes
Wall power	Backyard outlet	Confirmed	Source of field power
Extension run	Outdoor-rated extension cord	Confirmed	16 AWG x 30 ft
Weather protection	Weatherproof extension cord cover	Confirmed	Main protected enclosure for charger / adapter
Charger	Anker Prime Charger, 100W 3-Port GaN USB C Charger Block	Confirmed	Model A2688
Charger class	3-port USB PD	Partially confirmed	100W
Cable management	Velcro-secured cable routing	Confirmed	Cables run up tripod legs and are secured with Velcro
Cable-end protection	Secondary outdoor plug box / cable-end storage box	Confirmed	Holds free USB cable ends when not connected to scopes

Cable map

Output	Model	Connector	Length	Notes	Rig
USB-C path	DEWALT DXMA1310034	USB-C to USB-C	20 ft	60W, charge-only	Seestar S50
USB-A path	DEWALT DXMA1311349	USB-A to USB-C	10 ft	Braided cable	Seestar S30 Pro

Operational notes

Current field practice

The center shelf shown in the reference photo is a temporary plank of wood, not a formal part of the documented rig.
The pavers are fixed parts of the current backyard setup and serve as semi-permanent footing / leveling support until replaced by something more permanent.
The green laser pointer is not part of every observing session and is not in use by default.
The D5300 / FMA135 setup is an experimental rig, not part of the default two-Seestar nightly baseline.
The NexStar 5SE / D5300 setup is an assembled fourth rig, not part of the default two-Seestar nightly baseline.
The backyard setup is quasi-permanent: the two main tripods stay outside 24/7, while the telescopes are brought in and out.
Both Seestar scopes normally run on external power for the full session.

Setup assumptions

Reusable assumptions

S50 normally runs on a Sky-Watcher pier extension with the K&F CONCEPT 3-Way Geared Tripod Head.
S30 Pro normally runs on a Sky-Watcher pier extension with the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Latitude (S20530).
The experimental D5300 / FMA135 rig uses the AZ-GTi with INNOREL wedge on the original Seestar S50 tripod.
The NexStar 5SE / D5300 rig uses the Celestron NexStar SE tripod with built-in wedge, Celestron NexStar+ GoTo mount, Celestron NexStar 5SE OTA, Nikon D5300, and SVBONY filter drawer.
Both active rigs use pier extensions in their normal deployed stacks.
In the reference two-rig setup photo, S30 Pro is on the left and S50 is on the right.
All owned Seestar filters work with either Seestar telescope.
Both the Seestar S50 and Seestar S30 Pro have built-in dew heaters.
S50 power assignment is USB-C using the DEWALT DXMA1310034 cable.
S30 Pro power assignment is USB-A using the DEWALT DXMA1311349 cable.

Details to confirm

Still worth documenting

Per-port charger output details Needs confirmation

Useful for troubleshooting / accessory planning

Exact tripod models Partially resolved

Both main tripods are Sky-Watcher tripods; exact per-rig mapping is still worth identifying

Adapter stack details per rig Partially resolved

Both active rigs use pier extensions above Sky-Watcher tripods; S30 Pro adds the S20530 base, while S50 adds the K&F geared head

Role of second outdoor box Needs confirmation

Storage only vs weatherproof strain relief

Experimental rig power paths Needs confirmation

Power source and cable routing for the D5300 / FMA135 and NexStar 5SE / D5300 rigs are still being refined

NexStar 5SE camera adapter stack Needs confirmation

Useful for documenting the exact D5300 connection and spacing

Dew shield / mask / spike accessory fit map Needs confirmation

Useful for a true asset register