Upgrading your astrophotography kit

 Where do I go next? 

I am thinking about the evolution of my astrophotography and astronomy equipment! It is hard trying to work out what you may need or a direction you may wish to go in the future. Especially if you are new to a hobby/passion!

I have been on a journey over the last two years.  I started with just a Canon 800D and kit lenses along with an Ioptron Skytracker pro. From no understanding of basic photography whatsoever (I was just a 'spray and pray' merchant) - I did two DSLR courses for newcomers at my local arts college. You know the thing - 'how to get off 'auto' and onto 'manual''. 

Then I started researching basic astrophotography and followed some YouTube tutorials. I did some free on-line courses about basic milky way photography. I learned to use deep sky stacker and sequator. I brought Affinity photo and started to learn the basics of post process editing, at a simple beginner's level. From there, I started to learn about SIRIL and GraXpert. I joined various Facebook forums to do with astrophotography and carefully chose my Youtube channels! 

My learning journey has been immense; sky rocketing. The proverbial 'steep learning curve'. 

And so, now, I'm here: a portable wide-field rig and some basic understanding about astrophotography. 

My current astrophotography kit:

• Canon 800D astro-modded camera
• Zenithstar 61ii refractor
• Samyang 14mm and 135mm f/2 lenses
• Canon 22 and 50mm prime lenses
• Skywatcher star adventurer 2i star tracker
• William optics wedge for above tracker 
• ASIair mini
• ASIair 120mm mini guide camera
• RVO 32mm guide scope
• Skywatcher power tank
• various accessories including four small power banks, bahtinov masks, flats tablet, intervalometer, red dot finder, MSM Z shape ball head, ball heads, benbo CF tripod, right angled polar viewfinder, assorted dovetail plates, ring system for Samyang 135mm lens, optolong L-Pro clip in filter, dew bands 

My astronomy kit includes:

• Skywatcher Star Discovery 150 i wifi GOTO newtonian reflector with tripod
• various barlows and eyepieces (25mm, 12mm and 8mm)
• red dot finder 

My passion definitely centres on the astrophotography elements!

And here, as I have said in previous posts, I have certain requirements. Portability, simplicity, compactness, multi-purposefulness (is there such a word?) and some potential growth room for future. The most important ones are portability and simplicity. I have a motorhome and I take my astrophotography kit with me on every tour. I like to do milky way landscape photography along the coastlines of Devon and Cornwall as well as deep space imaging, just about from anywhere. 

So, where do I go in terms of upgrading the kit? Most of it is really aimed at a portable wide-field set up, isn't it? 

On my list of possible stuff is the following:

• optolong L-enHance clip in filter? 
• astronomik OWB clip in filter?
• Skywatcher star adventurer tracker gti or perhaps HEQ5 or equivalent?
• a pixinsight subscription?
• electronic autofocusser - ZWO EAF?
• a cooled astrocam?
• selling my zenithstar and getting a better quality refractor? 
• (a new rucksack for those walks to cliff top destinations - the Osprey Rook II 65lt)
• (jackery 300 plus power station) 

I have absolutely no idea. Are any of these a useful evolution/extension of my existing kit?

I know that if I go down the road of investing in more filters, then it is probable that I would need to upgrade my mount. At the moment I can achieve 3 - 5 minute exposures relatively straight-forwardly.  If I have understood what I have read about filters, then I would need to be able to take exposures of 10"+ and even with an ASIair mini and autoguiding system, I think this would be a push on my rig!

So, at the moment I want to keep portability at the heart of what I do but I want some 'evolution' wiggle room to grow into as my skills and needs advance in the future. 

What would you do? 

What would you advise me to think about or purchase? All help and thoughts gratefully received in the comment box below. And thank you for your help.

As always, clear skies, stay safe and happy observing! 

Steve PlymouthAstroBoy