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View Full Version here: : updgade advice required.


DENMONKEY
30-06-2014, 07:04 PM
Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on how to proceed with my interest in starting with imaging.
I have several scopes currently and would like the brain trusts opinions on what I should keep and what I should let go to help fund a HEQ5.
The gear I currently have is

*Deluxe C8 including working mount and wedge. Good condition for age, however could probably use a a clean on the corrector plate due to encountering some dew in the past.

http://www.company7.com/celestron/graphics/celest8dlx.gif

* a C6 SCT OTA with a dove tail fitted. This is in near new condition.

* a Nexstar Se4 . In good nick with working mount but needs some fine tuning. This is the grey tube model without wedge
http://images1.opticsplanet.com/365-240-ffffff/opplanet-celestron-nexstar-4-gt-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope.jpg

* Saxon 120mm acro OTA . ok condition but the focuser is rubbish. may be useful for wide field or guiding ?

http://sportstelescope.com/img/p/33-124-thickbox.jpg
* Williams Optics Zenithstar 70ed doublet (1st gen)
http://www.williamoptics.com/telescopes/images/zenithstar70_01.jpg


So with the above gear in mind and ball parking a HEQ5 at around the $1000 mark(2nd hand) give or take, what would you suggest I keep hold of with both hands and what should I pass on to leave me as little out of pocket as possible?

I'm thinking the C8 will get me the best return but wondering if I should keep it, defork it, sell the mount and combine it with the WO70mm?

Initially I would be imaging with a canon T5i and unguided.

Any ideas on how much I should be asking for if I choose to sell would also be handy info to have moving forward.

I'm open to other mount suggestions if you think it is warranted. Although I'd like to limit myself to around the $1000 mark for the mount.
Figuring I'd need to source a field flatterer etc also.
I do have the 6.3 FF/FR for the C8 already and it is fastar compatible too.


Thanks in advance

glend
30-06-2014, 07:36 PM
Well I recently started up the very steep imaging learning curve, and yes the mount is very important (in my case an NEQ6Pro because I built a 127mm iStar f12 refractor). Imaging with Acrhos is possible, especially DSOs, and planets if it is CA filterable. Your 120mm Saxon may be a good place to start, but stick a replacement focuser on it. I have a 102mm achro sitting on my mount outside right now running exposures on M4. I still have my visual scope stuff because you can have the best of both worlds.