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<blockquote data-quote="BF Hammer" data-source="post: 824104" data-attributes="member: 48483">Multiple things to watch for here. Keep in mind I only know what you reveal in the original post about what you do.Tripod under the telescope could be inadequate. Star tracker might be overloaded or must be balanced better with the counterweight kit. Polar alignment not quite right. You could be choosing an unrealistically long exposure time for the star tracker's ability. You are touching the camera with your hand as you take the photos (using a remote shutter or self timer mode required), mirror slap during shutter release.The last point has to be addressed with the camera settings with any DSLR. Mirrorless bodies have an advantage here. I have only used D7000 or better DSLR bodies so I cannot advise on if a D3100 even has a Mirror-up mode (press shutter once to raise mirror, press a second time to release shutter). A way around that is to use LiveView so the mirror is locked in the up position the whole time.Then there could be the surface you are set up on. Wooden deck could be trouble. Should be firm ground or pavement.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BF Hammer, post: 824104, member: 48483"] Multiple things to watch for here. Keep in mind I only know what you reveal in the original post about what you do. Tripod under the telescope could be inadequate. Star tracker might be overloaded or must be balanced better with the counterweight kit. Polar alignment not quite right. You could be choosing an unrealistically long exposure time for the star tracker's ability. You are touching the camera with your hand as you take the photos (using a remote shutter or self timer mode required), mirror slap during shutter release. The last point has to be addressed with the camera settings with any DSLR. Mirrorless bodies have an advantage here. I have only used D7000 or better DSLR bodies so I cannot advise on if a D3100 even has a Mirror-up mode (press shutter once to raise mirror, press a second time to release shutter). A way around that is to use LiveView so the mirror is locked in the up position the whole time. Then there could be the surface you are set up on. Wooden deck could be trouble. Should be firm ground or pavement. [/QUOTE]

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