Getting ready Locate your camera on solid ground where you won't bump into it in the darkness. On a sheet of paper, note the exposure time of each frame. After the film is developed, you'll want to note the maximum time you can keep the shutter open before the sky starts to fog-up and turn gray. The longer your exposure time the longer the star trails will appear. Meteors will appear as straight lines crossing the star trails.
Dew shields are definitely low tech and can be made easily at home with cardboard and tape.
It's simply a cardboard tube attached to the end of your camera. Resources For more information on astrophotography, you can check out these resources.