MarcusG
14-04-2016, 11:28 PM
Hi all,
I currently have a 10" Skywatcher dob, but I've been looking to get a nice APO refractor around the 800-900mm mark to use with my full frame DSLR (ideally would like an EF 600mm f/4 II prime, but budgets can only be stretched so far:P). Having an included flattener and T-ring the Esprit 120 has caught my fancy, however trawling the Astronomy Alive website (always a dangerous thing to do!) have come across the SharpStar AL-130 which is reduced to the same price as the Esprit 120, but gives a little more reach and some extra aperture. Despite the extra aperture the SharpStar also seems to be lighter overall. Of course it will be a little bit extra for a flattener and T-ring, which are included with the Esprit.
In terms of usage I'd be looking at getting a mount for it for some deep sky stuff (still haven't started looking round at them) as well as running on a gimbal head for terrestrial shooting (mostly wildlife and aviation).
Just wondering if anyone could provide any feedback about either of these scopes in terms of image quality and overall build (or if anyone has any other suggestions worth considering)? Particularly interested if anyone has used them for terrestrial shooting, as I haven't been able to find any terrestrial shots from either scope to check out.
Thanks in advance,
Marcus
I currently have a 10" Skywatcher dob, but I've been looking to get a nice APO refractor around the 800-900mm mark to use with my full frame DSLR (ideally would like an EF 600mm f/4 II prime, but budgets can only be stretched so far:P). Having an included flattener and T-ring the Esprit 120 has caught my fancy, however trawling the Astronomy Alive website (always a dangerous thing to do!) have come across the SharpStar AL-130 which is reduced to the same price as the Esprit 120, but gives a little more reach and some extra aperture. Despite the extra aperture the SharpStar also seems to be lighter overall. Of course it will be a little bit extra for a flattener and T-ring, which are included with the Esprit.
In terms of usage I'd be looking at getting a mount for it for some deep sky stuff (still haven't started looking round at them) as well as running on a gimbal head for terrestrial shooting (mostly wildlife and aviation).
Just wondering if anyone could provide any feedback about either of these scopes in terms of image quality and overall build (or if anyone has any other suggestions worth considering)? Particularly interested if anyone has used them for terrestrial shooting, as I haven't been able to find any terrestrial shots from either scope to check out.
Thanks in advance,
Marcus