Neat scopes and their owners.

[xelasnave]

I don't know if I feel inspired or depressed.
Some mouth watering set ups.
See if there is anyone you know.

https://www.wired.com/2007/09/gallery-telescopes-2/

Alex

[LewisM]

And you can do just as good with gear a third the cost. Some of the better images I have seen have been through more humble setups, and some of the most average/mediocre I have seen from people with high end stuff but don't know how to use it.

Some of the prices listed there are bogus as heck - ST-10XME price for example. Don't think they were that much even when new! (haven't been made in years).

Alex, just dive in and DO IT! You don't have to be an award winner - you just need to be happy in doing something. My images are carp compared to most, but I enjoy doing it, don't take myself even remotely seriously and just have fun out under the stars. It's also why I refuse to go robotic in any way (apart from focus), as I enjoy sitting out under the stars rather than sitting at home asleep while the computer does everything - VERY impersonal.

Get inspired, but not envious.

[RickS]

If you look carefully you'll see that the article is 10 years old. Stuff is cheaper now and image quality has improved in the meantime :)

[xelasnave]

Lewis all my life I have won I can't settle for second place ... I am going to sell the farm and get a 30 inch set up in the Himalayas.

Did you notice that guy from Australia with his fancy set up and his Jupiter captures...check him out.

Alex

[xelasnave]

And Lewis I have done a fair bit of astronomy photos and I only used a six inch reflector , web cams, cameras cut up and put in balsa wood boxes, but for the gear produced good results, then, cause I was doing it every available night for years...my joy was getting the most out of a six inch and I would still use it but it is now about 15 years old ...but I will go 8 inch just because I need a new one.
I don't envy anyone never have never will.
But thank you for your post I can see it was made to uplift me and the fact you took the time to try and do that certainly makes me feel terrific.
Thank you.
Alex

[Hans Tucker]

Yet people have missed Mike Salway in the list with his budget gear and the fantastic results he produced with imaging Jupiter.

[xelasnave]

Is that who it is:eyepop:

Alex

[xelasnave]

Hans I am surprised no one noticed.
How proud can we be of Mike to be grouped with those guys.
Even back then he was world class.

Alex

[Visionary]

Clearly, Mike's reputation is both well earned and deserved.

[that_guy]

One of them said the more money you spend the easier time you'll have. Boy is he wrong aha.

[el_draco]

Gonna add my scope to this list soon.... ;)

[Slawomir]

"Many skills are necessary, but one of the most crucial is mastery of Photoshop."

Indeed, things have changed quite a bit since then...

[Boozlefoot]

Takes me back to my rally car days, it became a case of he who has the most money wins. My boat's only an old banger, but its caught a lot of fish! To me, the enjoyment of astronomy comes from the challenge of cobbling together bits and pieces to create a working equivalent of unattainable (for me) items. They may be ugly, they may be steel, but work, and matt black paint hides so many sins! It's like the Aldi scopes coming up for sale soon. How many kids are going to get such a terrific kick out of their first night's viewing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not what they're peeking through!

[doppler]

And I've just caught up to where Mike was 10 years ago.

[xelasnave]

I worked out today you could spend $100,000 with no trouble.
I can't however. Too tight.
Alex

[el_draco]

Whaddaya mean.. "could"? :lol:

[xelasnave]

More if you tried
Alex