u/Fun-Rain7732

Howdy,
I have been into visual astronomy and decided to upgrade to a better scope. I choose the Nexstar 5se. It looked perfect to me, I wasn't interested in astrophotography and even if I was I thought I would want to do planetary imaging. After using it for visual use for awhile, I wanted to take images with my DSLR. I got a T-ring and adapter and shot at the Orion Nebula, and been completely obsessed with DSO imaging.

I wish I had gotten a true EQ mount, but I am stuck with this now. I have tried my best at using it, like using a wider lens which makes tracking significantly better, and have started building a wedge for it. I am happy with some of the images I have gotten and they have decently round stars, but since I am stuck with it what are ways anyone has really used the most out of the NXS mount?

Also,
Since I am a beginner what are ways I can take some of my images to the next level with the gear I have?

Howdy,
I was wondering what people had to say on the Nexstar 5se, specifically for astrophotography.
I got it originally for visual astronomy, but later got a T-ring and adapter for my DSLR. I then knew I had to take pictures, and with my limited budget I have to try to do it with my NXS mount and EOS 70D. I tried polar alignment, but with the original tripod it was really hard to do, and I had better success with the alt-azimuth setup and 10 sec exposures. I am currently making a wedge though, and hopefully that should help. So far I have gotten some good images with it, or at least as a beginner I really like them:)
One of the best things I have done is 3D print a dovetail bar for my camera. I then used a 250 mm lens, and it has been really great because tracking is a ton better at that focal length, and it is much faster then the 5se OTA. But none the less it isn't perfect. I was wondering what anyone else has gotten with it, and just your thoughts on it.
I have also gotten some decent images with the OTA, but star trailing is quite a bit worse.
I attached an image I got of M51 with the mount and wider lens.
Anyhow, I think the mount is better at astrophotography then most people say. Just wanted to do it credit, though I wouldn't recommend it for astrophotography. But what does everyone else think?

Whirlpool Galaxy with the 250 mm lens at f/5.8