Starting over opinions please.

[xelasnave]

I am going to buy a new scope and a new camera Cannon 70d.

I have an old eq6 that works extremely well.

The scope I have in mind is a GSO 8 inch reflector steel tube although I notice they come with a carbon fibre tube so maybe that's an option.

I am happy to manually guide (I used to get my scope to run unguided running 750 fl) but maybe include something like an Orion auto guide but another guide scope that I can shoot thru as well as the 8 inch. 80 mm maybe 100mm but I want something reasonable but not real expensive.

Should I include a coma corrector or field flatner ...whatever...I don't know but if I don't need it I don't want it...I was quiet happy.in the old days with a six inch reflector and manual guide..I enjoyed the challenge ...never did auto guide although I bought some little cameras and some anscom box...then that boat came along and I had to visit Sydney etc.

A bracket for the guide scope rather than use the old one I built.

I want to keep it simple cause frankly am getting on in years and simple shots are OK.
I really don't want to go larger and maybe should be looking at two small refractors, but I like where the camera sits on a reflector (when I imaged thru my 6 inch refractor I seemed to always be on my hands and knees).

Hopefully the camera can WiFi the images to a lap top...mmm I need a new lap top as well...mmm processing software.

I need a list.

Any thoughts or guidance I will appreciate very much.

Alex

[glend]

Alex i would not bother with the carbon tube, it will cost you more and doesn't give you much in terms of stability during imaging. Just allow the scope some time to reach temperature equalibrium. With the Canon, yes you will need a coma corrector, the Baader MPCC is the best in my opinion, and low profile. You will need a Canon T-adaptor to go on the camera and the coma corrector screws onto that. The EQ6 is fine for that scope.
At some point you will need to guide the scope imho.

Backyard EOS software is great managing imaging with Canons, just needs a usb connection.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Glen.
I am happy to manually guide but do you have any recommendations as to auto guide.
I figured the T adaptor.
Just been outside for a while it is magic windy but so clear and being up here is getting me excited about getting back into it.
Thanks again for helping me target my purchases.
Alex

[Atmos]

If you keep your subs short enough you won't even need to worry about guiding, cometcatcher (Kevin) did this successfully for years... well... still does ;)

[xelasnave]

Thank you Colin.
I manually guided a wide field for one hour twenty minutes...which must tell you how dark my sight was.
My mount works well. I pulled it down and polished stuff ran it wit light oil instead of greeese would spend ages getting absolutely perfect polar alignment played with weight distribution and I would know where it may drift so I would cover the scope for those moments...it was obsessive but each night every night year in year out alone in the bush rarely going out it was fun.

Alex

[Slawomir]

It's great you getting back into the hobby Alex.

Auto-guiding will add complexity, but a stand-alone autoguider would introduce the least amount of cables and you would not need a computer or software to control it. I have not tried this option though so cannot comment on how good such autoguiders are.

[xelasnave]

Hi Sauvi,
Thank you for kind words.
I just now ran into a problem ...how to get the scope home...I am not sure it will fit in my little car...anyways the positive with all this I am getting interested and excited...I realised today I have be fretting over having to give up on my boat as well.
So planning the observatory and set up has really lifted me up.

Alex

[Atmos]

An 8" should quite easily fit across the back seat :)

[xelasnave]

What if I buy something like this first?:D

Thanks Colin

Alex

[Larryp]

That is a PROPER car Alex!

[xelasnave]

Hi Laurie
I am not a car type, I think it is wrong to have a car as a toy but I am in love with that car. I want one and when one crosses my path I am going to buy one and I will keep it in my lounge room I won't drive it but spend all my time polishing it.

It would be like a motor bike on four wheels.
1600 cc and about 700 kilo or less.
Rear wheel drive which I know how to drive.
I think that one was on for $42k
Alex

[xelasnave]

I am thinking a modded camera would improve my captures without complicating procedures at all.

Who would you get to do this?
What would they charge.

Also I guess if I get a guide camera I could experiment and use it to take photos.

I might set all this up in Sydney so by the time I get back up here full time everything should be working.

Alex

[xelasnave]

And the espirit 100 mm seems decent and could guide or capture but maybe that would make things too heavy.

Alex

[Atmos]

It'll easily fit in the passengers seat footwell. Sit it in there and lean it onto the passenger seat.
Yes I've done this with a 10" F/4.7 ;)

[glend]

Please restraint it in some way! I carry my MN190 upright on the front passenger seat with a seat belt around it, and straps around the back of the seat headrest. You don't want those things flying around.;)

[xelasnave]

So you think I should buy a sports car OK that's a wonderful recommendation.

I only want it because its lightweight and therefore more fuel efficient...I only want to save the planet.:rolleyes:
Alex

[xelasnave]

Other motorists may think you are carrying a cannon if its black...
Mmm what colour should I go for ... Black or white..
Alex

[alocky]

Hi Alex.
You won't get a 16" in a clubman :-)
Cheers
Andrew.

[xelasnave]

Hi Andrew,
Very nice don't tell me if you go to sell it.
Alex