If you’ve spent any time on astrophotography forums like Reddit or AstroBackyard, you know the feeling: Confusion.

You see incredible photos of the Milky Way, the Orion Nebula, or the Andromeda Galaxy. You want to take photos like that. But when you ask "How do I start?", the answers are often overwhelming: "You need a German Equatorial Mount." "You need a modified DSLR." "Be prepared to spend $2,000 just to get started."

It’s enough to make anyone quit before they even snap their first picture.

Here is the truth that gatekeepers won't tell you: You don’t need a telescope, and you don’t need a $5,000 budget.

If you are a total beginner wanting to capture the night sky, here are the 4 things you actually need to know to get started.

1. The Camera You Have is (Probably) Good Enough

Many beginners think the secret lies in a "better camera." They rush out to buy the latest high-megapixel beast.

But in astrophotography, the Lens is more important than the camera. You need a "fast" lens (f/2.8 or lower) to let in as much light as possible. If you have a modern mirrorless camera or DSLR and a wide-angle lens, you are already 50% of the way there.

Don't buy a telescope yet. Telescopes are heavy, difficult to aim, and require massive mounts to work. Start with a wide-angle lens. It’s easier, more forgiving, and perfect for Milky Way landscapes.

2. The "300 Rule" and The Enemy: Earth’s Rotation

This is where 90% of beginners fail. You go out, put your camera on a tripod, and take a 30-second exposure. You expect a bright, clear sky. What you get: Blurry streaks.

Why? Because the Earth is spinning at 1,000 miles per hour. To avoid these "star trails," photographers use math formulas like the 500 Rule or the newer 300 Rule. These rules tell you the maximum time you can keep your shutter open before stars get blurry.

• For a 24mm lens, that might be only 10 to 13 seconds.

The Problem: 13 seconds isn't enough time to capture the faint light of a galaxy without cranking your ISO way up. And high ISO means Noise—those ugly, grainy speckles that ruin your photo.

3. The "Secret Weapon" is Tracking, Not Megapixels

If you read deep into the guides on AstroBackyard, you’ll learn the golden rule: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).

To get clean, professional photos, you need to lower your ISO and increase your exposure time to 1, 2, or even 4 minutes. But wait—didn't we just say the Earth’s rotation makes that impossible?

That’s why the single most important piece of gear isn't a camera—it's a Star Tracker. A star tracker sits between your tripod and your camera. It rotates slowly, at the exact speed of the Earth, but in the opposite direction. It "freezes" the sky.

With a tracker, you can shoot 2-minute exposures. The camera soaks up light. The stars stay sharp. The noise disappears. This is how the pros do it.

4. Choosing Your Gear: A Real-World Comparison

When you start researching star trackers, two big names will dominate the conversation: Sky-Watcher and iOptron.

They make fantastic equipment. In fact, if you visit a professional observatory parking lot, you will see their heavy-duty mounts everywhere. Their entry-level portable trackers (Star Adventurer and SkyGuider series) are the "gold standard" for deep-space photographers.

But are they right for a beginner who just wants to hike and shoot the Milky Way? Let’s look at the numbers.

⚖️ The Verdict: Which Camp Are You In?

This table doesn't mean one is "better" than the other. It means they are built for completely different photographers.

1. The "Deep Space" Explorer (Choose Sky-Watcher or iOptron)

If your dream is to buy a heavy 400mm telephoto lens and spend hours capturing the swirling details of the Andromeda Galaxy or the Orion Nebula, then you need the Sky-Watcher or iOptron.

• Why? You need their heavy counterweight systems to balance big lenses. You need their optical polar scopes for extreme precision.

• The Trade-off: You will likely need to drive to your shooting spot because hiking with 3kg+ of tracker gear (plus your camera and tripod) is exhausting.

2. The "Landscape" Adventurer (Choose NOMAD)

If your dream is to capture the Milky Way arching over a mountain, a tent, or a forest, then the heavy trackers are overkill.

• Why? Milky Way photography usually happens at wide angles (14mm - 50mm). At these focal lengths, you don't need heavy counterweights or complex optical alignment.

• The Advantage: The NOMAD weighs 80% less than the Sky-Watcher kit. It fits in your pocket. You can set it up in 2 minutes using a laser, shoot your 3-minute exposure, and move to the next spot.

See What’s Possible with the "Little Guy"

Don't let the size fool you. For wide-angle landscapes, the NOMAD delivers the same sharpness as the big brands, just without the weight.