Re: [APML] Astrophoto Books

[Robert Reeves <reeves10@swbell.net>]

> I was perusing the S & T online bookstore and feel the following
> three tombs pulling at my wallet.  I would like to hear your
> opinions of these, or recommendations for other AP books.  I have
> read the 1st edition of Covington and refer to it often; it is a
> great book, IMO.
>
> Robert Reeves, Wide-Field Astrophotography: Exposing the Universe
>                Starting With A Common Camera
>
> Jeffrey R.Charles: Practical Astrophotography
>
> Michael A. Covington: Astrophotography for the Amateur, 2nd Edition
>
>
> Feel free to send replies directly to my email address, if you want
> to keep your opinions private.
>
> Thanks,
> -Eric Raeburn

Eric,

Which book you get depends on your level of involvement in astrophotography.
If you are acomplished at wide-field work (piggyback or astrocameras) and
have a good grounding in things such as filter selection, film selection,
guiding techniques, (electronic or chemical) darkroom work, etc., and want
to do prime focus photography, I have no hesitation recommending Covington's
new edition.  If you want to dig into hypering, projects like meteor
photography and building gadgets to help your skyshooting, I will blatently
plug my own book.

I don't think of Michael as the "competition" in the astrophoto book arena.
We each have a different approach to the subject, and in all honesty, if you
can afford it, get both.  There is some overlap between the two books, but
not much.  I discuss just about everything in astrophotography EXCEPT
narrow-field through the telescope stuff.

I think someone else posted that Michael's and my (is that propper
English??) books complement each other.  I agree.  I have Michael's book
myself!

But in the end, I have to weight my recommendation toward recommending my
book <g>.
Whichever book you get, have fun under the stars and don't take it so
seriously that it isn't fun anymore.

Robert Reeves                      reeves10@swbell.net
520 Rittiman Rd.                   www.robertreeves.com
San Antonio, Texas 78209    210-828-9036
USA                                     29.484  98.440  200 meters


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