What is Next?

It will be interesting to watch the development of the regular photography gear over time. In a saturated photography market, many established photography brands are searching for attractive niche segments. Astrophotography seems to be one. The evolution of cameras in smartphones pushes established camera makers to beat smartphones in one or another way. Exceptional optics as known in some lenses and in high-quality refractor telescopes will not be available in smartphones any time soon. I’m also sure that computational photography will not reach this level of quality. So it seems that far better interchangeable lenses, let it be for DSLR or for mirrorless, are a good opportunity for lens makers to provide something outstanding.

Integrated control devices, like ZWO ASIAIR Pro or Stellarmate, are another segment to expand. These devices make astrophotography more accessible for new users. They reduce the apparent complexity and the effort required for astrophotography. Fully integrated imaging devices, like eVscope from Unistellar will need a long time to provide results comparable with classical astrophotography techniques. Still, it is a promising direction, especially if they will become more affordable.

My next steps are simple:

• Make more pictures and more experience, especially great nightscapes when traveling is possible again
• Get a more powerful, and so a more stationary mount in addition to the Sky-Watcher AZ GTI. The Sky-Watcher AZ GTI will stay as a travel mount
• Possibly, get a Newtonian or a Ritchey–Chrétien telescope to cover longer focal lengths, 800mm and more. For me, this not an upgrade for photographic lenses. This is an extension.