Do you already own a photo camera and would like to create impressive shots of the night sky using long exposures or even making time-lapse shots of the Milkyway? Then the Bresser StarTracker Astrophoto mount set is the ideal base to work from.

Unlike a conventional camera Tripod, a StarTracker mount tracks the night sky to prevent star trailing, allowing you to take very detailed and clear photos of night sky targets.

Not only is this mount particularly well suited for an entry into astrophotography but the built-in tracking motor rotates the saddled camera precisely against the earth's rotation and therefore the stars remain point-shaped even with long exposures. This set contains all the components required (excl. the camera) for a quick and comfortable entry into the world of astrophotography:

How to get setup:
After setting up the lightweight and compact photo mount, simply set the approximate latitude (pole height) on the tripod head MH-100 and target the polar star with the help of the optical polar finder. Then mount the camera with photo lens with the help of the quick-release plate on the heavy ball head included. With the ball head, the camera can be aligned and re-positioned at any time to any section of the sky. As soon as the tracking motor is switched on, the long exposure can be started immediately. All this takes less than 5 minutes to setup.

Camera Suitability:
All cameras with 1/4" (6.3mm) tripod connection thread and the bulb B setting option for long exposure.
The Bresser photo mount is designed to carry and follow a camera with a lens of up to 2.0 kg total weight in polar mode.
In azimuthal mode, the mount also carries cameras with up to 5.0 kg Weight. Fast wide-angle lenses are ideal for starting off, because as the lens focal length and exposure time increase, so to do the requirements for tracking accuracy. Therefore, a shot of several minutes with a wide-angle lens can be taken without problems and the stars remain pin point sharp.

For example, with a long focal length such as a 200mm telephoto lens, the polar alignment of the photo mount must be exactly right which can be done quickly with the integrated alignment tunnel for aligning with the polar star. Typically achievable exposure times with good tracking accuracy are: 16mm wide-angle lens: 5 minutes (300sec.) - Perfect for dramatic shots of the Milkyway and with a 100mm telephoto lens: 1 minute (60sec.)

The tracking is carried out by a precise stepper motor which can be adjusted at different speeds via the operating menu. The low power consumption allows operation of up to 20 hours with a set of batteries or any length of time via USB connection.

StarTracker Astrophoto Mount features:

• Astrophoto mount for equatorial tracking
• Automatic compensation of the earth's rotation
• Extremely compact design - fits in almost any photo bag
• Different tracking speeds adjustable
• Switchable for northern and southern hemisphere
• Time-lapse function and azimuthal movement adjustable from 15min to 48 hours
• Ball head with quick-release plate and 1/4'' photo thread for camera mounting
• Photo mount with 1/4'' threaded bolt for ball head mounting
• Additional quick coupling for removing the ball head
• Precise stepper motor tracking with worm gear
• Clear LC display for easy operation
• Battery operation (4 x AA) or via micro USB socket (Batt. not included)
• Battery life: up to 20 hours
• Weight of the astrophoto mount: 0.63 kg
• Transport weight incl. compl. Accessories: 3.6 kg
• Adjustment height mount with tripod: 80-155cm
• Tripod transport dimensions: 60x10x10cm; Tripod weight: 2.1 kg
• Load capacity of the photo mount: up to 2.0 kg or 5.0kg

1. Bresser StarTracker Astrophoto Mount PM-100
2. Bresser ball head with quick-release plate
3. Bresser Polar Viewfinder for StarTracker PM-100
4. Bresser tripod head with fine adjustment MH-100 (pole cradle)
5. Bresser Tripod TP-100 DX with bag
6. Manual (English)

Download the Bresser StarTracker Manual here