Getting started in astrophotography doesn’t need to cost a fortune. In this guide, we’ll walk through beginner-friendly setups under £1000 that can capture the Moon, planets, and even deep-sky objects without needing a PhD or a second mortgage. These beginner astrophotography setups prove you can shoot stunning night skies on a budget.
What to Look For in a Beginner Setup
Before spending money on gear, it helps to understand what matters most. The best beginner astrophotography setup balances simplicity, stability, and image quality. Here are three core things to focus on before you buy.
- Mount type: An equatorial mount tracks stars smoothly as the Earth rotates
- Camera type: A DLSR or mirrorless camera gives you full control over exposure and focus
- Tripod stability: A strong, steady tripod is often more important than the extra megapixels
Keep your kit as light and easy to use as possible. Heavy or complicated gear usually means you end up spending less time shooting and more time setting up.
Top Beginner Setups (2025 Update)
These are reliable, entry-level astrophotography setups that stay under the £1000 mark. Each one balances optical quality, portability, and ease of use.
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet Refractor
A solid first telescope for anyone who wants sharp lunar and planetary shots without complex setup.
- ✅ Great optical performance for the price
- ✅ Lightweight and easy to align
- ❌ Manual tracking only
Sky Watcher Explorer 130P Newtonian Reflector Telescope
The Explorer 130P is one of the most popular first telescopes for beginners.
Its 130 mm mirror collects enough light for bright planetary detail and short deep-sky exposures.
With the right tracking mount it can produce impressive photos without breaking the budget.
- ✅ Wide 130mm aperture gives sharp, bright views
- ✅ Sturdy and easy to align
- ✅ Good step up from a starter scope
- ❌ Heavier than the smaller models
- ❌ Needs a motorised mount for long-exposure imaging
Celestron 22203 Astro-Fi 130 Wireless Reflecting Telescope
The Celestron 22203 Astro-Fi 130 combines quality optics with smart technology.
It connects to your phone or tablet via Wi-Fi, letting you control the telescope through the SkyPortal app and automatically locate objects in the night sky.
For beginners who like a bit of tech guidance, it delivers bright lunar and planetary views without complex setup.
- ✅ Wi-Fi control through the SkyPortal app
- ✅ 130 mm parabolic mirror gives crisp views of planets and nebulae
- ✅ Motorised mount tracks objects smoothly
- ❌ Needs an external power supply for longer sessions
- ❌ Not ideal for long-exposure deep-sky imaging
