Astrophotography: Putting together the basics - DSLR

 After looking through many, many, blogs about astrophotography, I came to a simple decision: 

LOOK FOR A GOOD USED DSLR

This was a set of trade-offs:

• Full Frame versus APS-C (APS-C means a crop sensor, Full Frames are fairly pricey)
• Newest generation versus older
• Brand versus Brand
• Accessory availability

Given all of that, what would you do?  Well, I went with a couple of decisions:

1. Canon.  It seems like there are just more things in the astrophotography world that is set up for Canons.  Not sure why, but it is what it is.
2. EOS T7i/800D  I went with this model since it represents a newer generation, the SL3 had a resale price almost the same as new.  The EOS is an APS-C crop sensor which isn't the next shiny thing so the costs are dropping. 
3. EBAY.  This was my way in quickly and cheaply.  I was able to grab the Canon with extra batteries, plug-in battery (a cord replaces the battery), a T-mount for under $500.  I also picked up a 50mm lens for 75$.

The extras:

• Went to Harbor Freight and picked up a decent hard shell case for holding the camera gear.  I got it in yellow figuring it was less likely to be tripping over in the dark. And astrophotography is usually in the dark.
• Tripod.  I have one for general camera use but it isn't that great for astrophotography.  I went ahead and ordered one and it's backordered.  It seems that almost all astrophotography items are backordered right now.
• Equatorial Mount.  In route.
• Computer control unit.  On backorder.
• Tracking scope.  On backorder.
• Bahtinov Mask for DSLR Lens.