which camera/telescope for a beginner?

[poncho]

Hi guys,
I'm super new, have fiddled around a small amount with manual settings for night sky photography on an old camera and have a pair of binoculars.

Looking at viewing some deep sky objects like nebulae. Will these be impressive yo the naked eye thru a telescope or will I need a camera and do so astrophotography?

Should I get a camera or telescope at this stage?if so which model? Don't want to spend a huge amount to begin. With the AP I don't mind learning the basics over a long period of time.

Thanks!! (

[jenchris]

What is not a lot of money?

[poncho]

Don't mind spending 2-3k for a whole set up over a number of years, so not sure how that breaks up but few hundred-1k each for camera, mount, telescope I guess

[Somnium]

it all depends on what interests you. many people can be extremely happy watching the sky through an 8 - 10" dob for years. noting what they see and being amazed at our universe (note, you will not see any colour visually, just blue and grey). others like to explore the limits of what is possible, peering deep into the blackness of space and seeing faint galaxies, or picking up unbelievable detail in nebulae. personally i fall into the latter. for option 1, get the largest Dob you can move and afford, for option 2 look at a NEQ6 or EQ5 with an 8-10" Newt (personal preference), some will recommend SCT's and others will recommend refractors. Camera wise, start with a DSLR and see how you go. astrophotography can get extremely expensive very quickly ... best to ask questions, try out some scopes at a star party and get to know what you are after.

[poncho]

Thanks for the reply!
I think i would fit in the 2nd category. But, do you think its a good idea starting off with the first option though which may be cheaper, and then pick up gear as you become more experienced??

In regards to the astrophotography, i think i may like to delve into it, but dont have the time commitment currently. Might defer the camera purchase til later, and instead focus on a telescope and mount!

I realise my thoughts are pretty muddled :) Still exploring my options

[poncho]

Found a second hand Skywatcher 10" Newtonian + Neq6 pro for just under 2k,

thoughts?

[Somnium]

making the decision to go down the astrophotography means you will need to commit some time to the learning curve. you have to get to know EQ mounts, polar alignment, guiding, etc. the 10" dob route is pretty much point and look. my second scope set up was an EQ6 with a 10" newt, i managed just fine (with help from these boards). it was quite big to set up and tear down each night though. i would really suggest you make your way to a star party and have a look through some scopes, maybe even watch someone setting up and polar aligning a eq mount

[Atmos]

My first telescope was a HEQ6 (pre Synscan) and 10" Newt. 12 months later I bought a 10" LX200 and used it more in the first few weeks than I did the first scope in its twelve months.

The best telescope is the one that gets used. A big newt on a NEQ6 may be a good combination but it isn't one that I would suggest starting with, having been down that path. If you are planning on doing mostly visual for a while I would suggest getting something along the lines of an Orion XT10G. Still a 10" aperture, cheaper than 2k brand new and is a far less frustrating way of getting into astronomy. Plus with a DSLR you will be able to do some imaging, maybe not longer than 15 sec one exposures but I did that for a few years with my LX200 :)

[csb]

You might also consider video astronomy. You will get impressive views AND it is in near realtime. All you need is a suitable video camera attached to your telescope connected to a monitor or laptop.

Video astronomy does not need rock-solid tracking and the learning curve is not as long/detailed as AP.

There is a sticky thread at the top of this Beginners Equipment forum.

I recently ordered video camera but still waiting for it to arrive. I've ordered the DSO-1. Initially I'll be using my phone as the monitor but others use tv screen, laptop or LCD monitor.

Plenty of info on the net.

[jrhowie]

I can't offer a huge amount of advice, but i can tell you my experiences.

I jumped straight in the deep end. Skipped basic astronomy and dove straight into an 8" f3.9 newtonian on an AZ-EQ6 mount. Got all the bits and pieces to go with it too. Hooked up a Canon Eos 60D to it and away I went.

The learning curve was huge. Monstrous.... HOWEVER after spending a couple hours a day for a week or so on learning the gear, and setting up the software, and the lengthy courses on collimation and photography, I took the gear out and the first night i got some awesome quality pics. So the effort was worth it.

Thats just my two cents. If you have the time and patience, you CAN get there, so don't let yourself be scared off by the daunting learning curve ahead. :)

Plus there's plenty of advice and lessons etc on these forums from guys with decades of experience under their belt!!!

[poncho]

from perth - looking at an 8" dob collapsible, anywhere i can look to buy for reasonable price? not many dobs on the classifieds here at ice in space:\

[bigjoe]

Hi poncho .

Aiden and Colin are both right with their advice. If I were you, and unsure , I would just start with a 10" dob . You could always sell it later when you KNOW you will be able to DEVOTE your time to AP.

This scope will bag all kinds of astronomical objects for minimum outlay, and as Colin mentions you will be able to stack some 15sec exposures using say deepsky stacker anyway , using a humble DSLR and T-adaptor.

If you are unsure now and not have $$$ for AP just yet, then just stick to a dob it will get used ; as travelling, setting up and tearing down heavy astro equip WILL take hours.

Just my 2 cents.

bigjoe.

[dimithri86]

Starting with a 8/10inch dob is a good way to go. I got one for less than 200$, and can probably sell it for around the same. That kept me occupied till a sweet deal on a Astrophotography package came up. (and I still use the dob once a month)

[poncho]

Just got a 8" collapsible dob for 500...hope i didnt pay too much :)
Hope i can see some decent DSO with it :/

Any point trying to take some snaps with it for planets? maybe a webcam?
Just to get a feel for processing. May or may not delve into AP in futuree

[poncho]

Thanks bigjoe for the reply! answered all my questions before my last post lol.

Although i got 8" instead of 10" for portability reasons. Hope there isnt too much of a diff in what i can see :/

[poncho]

Got me a 8" dob...saw jupiter so epic!!!
Need to a build a trolley now pretty heavy for one to carry by themselves in the middle of the night

[DazzaS]

I have been looking around items going cheap, ended up with 2nd Hand GSO 10" F/4 (Bintel) and EQ6 Pro.

If nothing else the size of this thing impressive :eyepop:

The EQ6 Pro had an issue now sorted so can drive it by EQASCOM cable and now Bluetooth module.

Bluetooth Module was easy make and works well. test show connection latency is around 50ms.

Edit: Also looking to use a Sony NEX 5R (second hand) I like the size v spec and seems to do well in low light. Yet to see if the APS-C sensor will need a coma corrector.

[raymo]

Well done, good gear. There is a slight likelihood [around 99%] that you
will need a coma corrector for imaging.
raymo

[Somnium]

Same set up i was using. should be good, however, a coma corrector will be needed. also an autoguider will really help