[Wavytone]

Either commit to being a visual observer, or flog all your gear and buy a rig to become an imager. And in doing so accept that there are many others with far deeper pockets - and better gear - producing better results than you can ever achieve.

If you are thinking of photography you will probably conclude your dob OTA is not appropriate for a whole host of reasons - after wasting many $$$ trying.

If you look around the imaging (dreadful word) forums you’ll find:

- many are using small APO refractors, focal length under 1000mm and f/7 or less l with telecompressors and flatteners; this has a lot to do with the pixel and sensor sizes of available camera vs the depth of your pocket (ie $$$)

- a few persisting with longer/larger OTAs but this also has implications in terms of the size and cost of the mount required to produce half decent results;

- a very small number using exotic optics such as Hyperstar, Maksutov-Newtonians (1.5 stop advantage over f/7 refractors), Riccardi-Honders astrographs (f/3) and other exotic beasties if cost is not a consideration.

Using a DSLR on a dob-style lightbucket OTA on a cheap mount won’t get you far. Either take the plunge and spend north of $30k on a really good setup or don’t bother IMHO.

And anyone whose lifestyle stretches to a permanent setup in a dome in a dark location has a huge advantage over those limited to portable gear.