Photographs of the Milky Way are possible using simple equipment such as a homemade barndoor tracking device. This photograph, along with the next 8 photographs were all taken using manual barndoor tracking.

Astrohutech modified Canon EOS 50D
10-22mm Canon zoom lens at 10mm, f/3.5
ISO 800, 3 minutes single exposure using manual barndoor tracking
Processed in CS4, ACR