newbie

[andy_j]

Signed up to the site today so thought id start by saying hi

Been wanting a telescope for a while now to hook my canon 60d up to dabble in abit of astrophotography and happened to stumble upon a celestron 130eq in mint condition for a steal at a garage sale. I was hoping for a little advice or tips to get started taking some pics, iv ordered the astromaster accessorie kit so I will have the t bracket and and also ordered the t ring. I know there is probably other posts lile this but hoping for advice or feedback from people have used the same telescope for astrophotography

Thanks
Andrew

[PSALM19.1]

Hi and welcome, Andy! Wow, good on you finding an SLT at a garage sale! Do you mind telling how much it cost you? Can't help much with photography questions because I have an 8" Dob without electronics...I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice from others...! Enjoy the scope! :)

[andy_j]

Sorry not sure what slt means?... also forgpt to mention it is a celestron astromaster 130eq my mad but I picked it up for $25 because the person got for a birthday present and didnt know how to use it so just wanted it gone... im no better with using it but had a go saturday after watching countless youtube vidoes and seem to have the hang of it a lil.

[OzStarGazer]

$25??? OMG, that's really cheap! What a bargain!
But yes, it is a bit tricky to use. Just recently a new member had problems with that model.
Welcome!!!

[OzStarGazer]

SLT = Star Locating Telescope

[PSALM19.1]

Yes, $25 is rather cheap for that scope! Couldn't buy the family Maccas for that! Enjoy, there's plenty to look at!

[andy_j]

Awww ok cheers for that... yeah thays what I thought couldnt pass it up for that price... I knpw its probably not the most suitable scope but thought for $25 it would give me an idea on the basics and see if I like it with out investing to mich money into it.

[Suzy]

:eyepop: :eek::eek::prey2: Oh crickey... talk about being at the right place at the right time!

Congratulations on your new telescope and welcome Andy :). I think a lot of people on here are going to be more stunned at the cost of this scope than to actually help answer your question though :P:lol:.
Uhmmm sorry, I can't help you either.:lol:

[OzStarGazer]

The only sad aspect of this story is that the previous owner must really have hated it. :shrug: It sounds like he really wanted to get rid of it. Maybe he should have come here instead. :lol: But at least the scope has now found a new (loving) owner. :)

[Tony_]

There are 2 models of the 130eq mount - one has a motor drive and one doesn't.
If you have the one with a motor you might be able to do some basic astrophotography. If you have the one without a motor then you will probably be limited to the moon and planets and/or very short exposures.
The scope is probably more suited to visual use - but you can still try to get some shots then decide whether you want to get a better telescope & mount. For $25 it really doesn't matter either way.

Regards,
Tony.

[andy_j]

Thanks tony

Unfortunately I have the one without the motor drive but I have priced around online and found the motor drive attachment for $40 so may invest in that in the next couple of weeks.

[noeyedeer]

welcome Andrew,
without it setup properly you probably won't be able to do much. here's an excellent guide to getting your mount setup. www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,498,0,0,1,0

matt

[andy_j]

Thanks for the link matt hopefully set it up in the next couple of nights and give it a ago

[Monstar]

First time I've read this thread and as I'm a total noob myself just wondered how yo've gotten along since you first posted.

Also I'm soo gonna start going to garage sales.

[RobinClayton]

Hello and welcome.

I started with that telescope as a birthday present. I live in city and was surprised what it could do and what it couldn't. Jupiter is great object to start with and is still in good position now. Saturn will be in good position in a few months. Craters and mountains on the moon are always worth a view.

I bought better eyepieces following birthday, because I figured that the eyepieces would still be useful for any future telescope.

My main problem was using the finder to actually find anything, but after some practice it was something I got better at.

Attending astronomy club viewing nights was also very helpful with lots of good advice.

As mentioned above - it isn't really made for photography, but you can have fun trying to see what can be done.

That scope was great starter for me and I hope you are able to find it useful for you to learn with.

Until you get motor drive, you wont be able to take long exposure photo's. With the motor drive, that scope is still under powered for the deep sky photo's, but you should be able to get some good shots of Jupiter, Saturn and Moon. Hopefully you will have fun and not be disappointed. Any experience you gain will be valuable if you upgrade the telescope.

Good luck

[astro_nutt]

Welcome Andrew and congrats on your scope purchase!
You have a great scope to learn from. It will teach you a lot on how to move and adjust various setting in relation where you are.
Do spend time at the eyepiece looking at the Moon, or anything else, and allow your eye to collect the photons so you can appreciate the detail.
Enjoy!

[TechnoViking]

Welcome Andrew!! I too started with a small scope, I had the 140EQ i could see jupiter, saturn and mars and a few clusters. Your scope is a great starting point and spending $25!!!! WOW!! if you get the motor drive your life will be made a lot easier, another great investment is a Telrad finder, the best thing it that it attaches with double sided tape, so if you ever decided to upgrade your telescope you can easily put it on your new scope. Grab a copy of stellarium at www.stellarium.org, which is a fantastic tool for learning the stars! Enjoy the beginning of the most eye opening past time you will ever undertake :)

[Pinwheel]

Well you must be sick of it by now, I'll give you $26 & you pay the postage..:rofl::D

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