I've been wanting to take some shots of the milky way (weather permitting) on my next trip. I had fairly good success last time I tried it without a sky-tracking mount, just keeping the shutter open for about 30 seconds. But I've been toying with the idea of adding one to be able to keep the shutter open a bit longer.

I've been looking between iOptron, Sky-Watcher, and possibly making my own barn door mount.

Does anyone here use a sky-tracking mount for taking nighttime long exposure shots?

I suggest you look on the Fredmiranda photography forum. Lots of good advice there.

Thanks! I'll check that out.

The SkyWatcher Star Adventurer is on Amazon Deal of the Day today, so I suckered myself into buying it. Seems to have good reviews so I'm hoping it'll work out well.

If you aren't using star tracking equipment you'll probably want to keep your shutter speed to the proper setting as per the 500 rule. I didn't know about this for years and wondered why a 30 second exposure wasn't giving me tac sharp stars. For my 24 mm lens I have to keep my shutter speed a under 20 seconds to avoid any star trails forming. Another thing to consider is a program like Starry Landscape Stacker. Works really well for reducing noise and getting great Milky Way shots...