What are you getting yourself for xmas?

[iceman]

It's getting to that time of the year again..

What are you going to buy yourself for xmas? Or what are you requesting for xmas?

Astronomy-related gifts? A new scope? A new eyepiece?
Books? DVD's?

Or something completely different? Has your astronomy budget already been spent this year? :)

[andrewk_82]

I've requested a UHC filter for Christmas :D.

Probably won't get much else as my wife is still hung up on how much my telescope cost for my birthday back in September. I thought it was pretty good value myself.
It would be different if I'd spent that amount on Jewellery for her, but you can't see much stuff through that can ya? ;)

Cheers

[AstralTraveller]

I've bought five new eyepieces this year, along with a few other bits and pieces, so the budget is well and truly blown. At least I did it before the dollar went south.

What I will get is four weeks camping somewhere nice and quiet away from the rat race.

[Octane]

Mike,

Canon EOS-5D Mark II and the obligatory Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. :D

If I'm lucky, an RC and Feathertouch focusers to fit.

And, maybe, 1,000 IIS posts. :D

Regards,
Humayun

[spacezebra]

Hi there


I think that I have spent David's complete christmas budget on astrogoodies for me (he does not know that yet! Shhhhhhhhh!).
I have dropped enough hits for a CCD camera, Sun Spotter, and a flexi portable tripod..
My 20" SDM should have a Christmas launch date if all goes to plan (that's my budget blown)
9 acres + house (okay thats both our budgets blown)...Cheers Petra d.

[TrevorW]

Nothing for astronomy with the AUD being the way it is, aybe a couple of DVD's thats about it

[madwayne]

Thanks Mike, just what I need a Wednesday arvo guilt trip :lol:

Started the year with an LX90 and ED80 and thought my world was great. February came and I bought a 2nd hand EQ6/ED100 on IIS. June (or there abouts) came and an FSQ106 came up on IIS classifieds - too good to be true, just like brand new only nearly half the price. Bought that too.

Might try and sneek in a 40D or maybe even a 50D, unmodified, between now and Santa time.

Great thread, as always, Mike. Hope Santa brings you tons of enthusiasm to get back in to your planetry imaging. Good luck with the karate on the weekend, hope you kick some ar$e.

Wayne

[h0ughy]

maybe santa can bring me an observatory - and erect it

[acropolite]

Good to see a woman with simple needs....:P


HRH & I have already treated ourselves to a new Panasonic DVR (DMR-BW500) (http://www.panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?productID=6720) , 500Gb HDD twin High Definition tuners and Blue ray Player/recorder. Unfortunately it can't make Tea & toast at breakfast...:whistle:

[xstream]

Two tickets on the Spirit to Tassie for Anna and I, plus the car and van. :)

[xelasnave]

Someone to clean the stuff I have already:whistle:

alex:):):)

[wasyoungonce]

A new 450D 18/55 IS kit. Picked it up today. Would have loved the 17/85 is Lens...maybe next Christmas:rofl:

Got in now before prices start to move up with Aussie dollar demise. Cheapest "non grey" price I could find.

http://www.roadmogul.com.au/canon-450dkis-single-kit450db-with-efs-1885mm-f456is-p-11824.html

My wife is very good to me! But...only bad thing is...I have to have it put away for "under the tree"....mutter mutter mutter.

Hmmm appears they are out of stock now.

[xelasnave]

Wrap the box it came in with pretty paper add a card and put it under the tree and leave the camera out of the box and.... use the camera:D... geez if you dont practise with it you might stuff up the xmas morning shots...and no one would want that...

alex:):):)

[DJDD]

hey, nice.
where are you getting that from and if you do not mind the question- how much?

and if you answer you will be one closer to the tonne. :lol:

cheers,
DJDD

[Jen]

Well im gonna sit on Santa's lap and flutter my big brown eyes at him ;) and ask for a really cool camera (nikon D300) :D they are cool right? :whistle:
and an EQ6 Pro mount :D oh and maybe a bigger scope but my birthday is a few weeks after Xmas so i might save that one for then hahaha ;)
:prey::prey::prey::prey::prey:

[AdrianF]

put in a hint for a moonlight focuser for the ED127 but with the way the I'd $ is right now it might arrive in time for Xmas 2009. So maybe a DVD.

Adrian

[Octane]

DJDD,



About one and-a-half months ago, I was having a chat with the manager of the local JB Hi-Fi store. It turns out that he's a photographer, himself, and said he could probably do me a deal of around $2,000-$2,200 or so. This was before the doom and gloom of the current financial crisis. I don't mind if it is more than that; I've had my heart set on it for the last five years. I figure it'll double up as a decent apochromatic telescope. I'm also trying to get a photography business started, so, it will complement the 24-105 f/4L IS USM that I have, already.



One more closer to the magical 1K!

Regards,
Humayun

[Octane]

Jen,

Why would you do such a horrible thing as to ask for a Nikon D300?

Canon. Canon. Canon.

Regards,
Humayun

[DJDD]

since i am looking to "complement" my wife's D80 with a canon i need to catch up on all of the "essential" equipment.:D

thanks for the reply.

[troypiggo]

I have no astro gear. Am researching at the moment, and trying to figure out how to pull some dollars together for an EQ6 mount and ED80 scope for astrophotography as a Xmas pressie for myself :)

[wasyoungonce]

Troy if your researching then you are doing to right thing. It ensures you get what you need at the right price (hopefully). Also remember the boxing day sales!

[Starkler]

An RC helicopter :lol:

I didnt get to play with such toys as a kid :whistle:

[Ric]

Time off work and clear skies.:thumbsup:

I've spent my budget on everyone elses prezzies so that will do for me.

Cheers

PS, I'll add a cure for for Diabetes as well, I miss Xmas Pudding & Custard.:D

[wavelandscott]

I am buying a house!


Not to hijack the thread but...It will be announced later this week (I am in Japan at a meeting this week) that I will be promoted and transferred to our New York City office in January...we will do Christmas and New Years in Oz and then off to the Big Apple (actually we are buying in Connecticut)...

Big move and change for me and my family...I will try and fill people in on more of the details later after it is all announced.

I will miss the dark spectacular southern skies...but, I will be closer to NEAF!!!

This purchase will likely cut into my Astro budget for a few months at least!

Clear dark Skies to you all!

[Ian Robinson]

My wish list for Santa for 2008.

1) I'd settle for my son coming home from Mackay for a week or so to visit.

2) A good firm job offer for a permanent residential senior or higher level engineering role that doesn't evaporate before I get there .... chances of that are .... :shrug:

3) I'd like to have my slide off roof observing shed set up by then and my rebuilt 10" newt OTA ready to see starlight again.(Probably a good prospect.)

4) I'd like to see the exchange rate back up near or better than 80cUS so I can buy my EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (but don't like my chances) and the 2x Type II L extender for under $2000. Doubtful.

5) A nice fishing boat would be nice .... ha !!! dream on Ian ....

6) A nice family get together for Xmas and New Year .

Think I'll settle for 1, 6 and maybe 3.

Doing the hard sell on my wife on 3 , she's sick of the spare bedroom being full of mounts on tripods and boxes full of camera gear and astronomy pits and pieces. She gets the room as a craft room if I can get the gear out and I get a desk in there for her to do here stuff on. That'll free up the study which she has commandered and taken over .... I have been exiled to the coffee table in the lounge room to do my uni work for the last 3 or 4 years.

What's the bet I get the slab layed , or a deck made , and the piers set up , and the roll off roof shed erected and we have to move (because no2 actually happens ? I keep on applying and I keep on hearing nasty rumours there is a shortage of experienced engineers out west , or up north or in SA ---- but I can't land one these jobs (always the bride'smade never the bride .... (I'm the wrong side of 50 yo))

[Ian Robinson]

Not a job in a bank or an insurance company is it .... :sadeyes:

[Craig.a.c]

I'm hoping to get some 2" eyepieces and maybe an OIII filter, if I can convince my girlfriend that I need them.
A new job would be great, sick of shift work (security).

[Phil]

Well i am getting my 4 kids for Christmas can not wait. I will be buying then lost of stuff. Thats my gift.
Phil

[jjjnettie]

For myself, for xmas, I'm upgrading to a larger refractor.
Either a 6" achro or a 2nd Hand ED 80 or 100.
Decisions decisions.
If my tax refund ever finds it's way into my bank account, I will also be laying down the slab for my dome too.

[Garyh]

My beautiful Wife mentioned she might get me a lens that`s not to dear or for me to pick something I might want, maybe a Ha filter! of a DMK :)
Have had all the kids presents for ages since last January specials..lol

[multiweb]

I know Santa has a "naughty list". If he has a "clear skies" list I'm the first in line. :)

[matt]

I'm thinking about a new finderscope for my C9.25...and a nice new Astrodon UV filter to begin putting together some false colour images of Venus.

I've got to find a planet other than Mars, Jupiter and Saturn to start imaging...at a reasonable image scale and with some surface (cloud0 detail:lol:

[Inmykombi]

I love my Sci-Fi, so I have already put my order in for the Season 2 of TORCHWOOD.

Woooo-hooooo.


Geoffro.

[norm]

Building a Garden Shed 3 x 2.4m :P. I normally get my some sundry tools along the build ;)!

hehe Norm

[h0ughy]

now is that for real garden tools norm?:whistle:

[MortonH]

Have just ordered a Stellarvue SV70ED from the US. It'll be my ultra-portable scope, since the arrival of our first child 4 weeks ago means there'll be no room in the car for my Dob any more!

Morton

[norm]

God no Dave!!! Ok, I may succumb to putting the pruners in there !
Actually there is a compromise, my wife's road bike will go in there (pedal type that is) and my dob.

After your quote and costings, I'm not too far off your budget either:)

Funny thing, it was the wife who suggested I come up with a tilt gable roof for the scope!!! I'm working on that idea now!!!:P

http://www.buildeazy.com/shed_3.html

PS: you nearly buggered me up and confused me with the Col Western shed too. The pricing looked pretty good!:lol:

[jjjnettie]

Done, and should be arriving early next week.
I ended up getting a 5" achro.

[Octane]

Congratulations, Jeanette!

What are you getting exactly, and where from?

Regards,
Humayun

[Alchemy]

i dont do the christmas thing, really struggling to find some non expensive astro gear that i would like (16 inch rcos's and high end mounts are out as is the gemini goto) but i wouldnt mind a clear sky watcher gadget that tells me when he sky is clear. havent researched it as such..... hmmm idea for a thread if anyone knows anything.

[jjjnettie]

It a Sky Watcher 120mm short tube, f5, from Andrews.
Figured as I'm mainly capturing in mono, CA shouldn't be a problem.

Note how I bought this gear while the moon is full, that way the skies should be clear by new moon.:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Very clever buying during the full moon JJJ, the problem is, Its cloudy now and now you cant test it out on the full moon! :)

As for me... Luckily I dont have a minister of finances, or anyone else to buy presents for as my family don't do xmas.

So....
Moonlite 2.5" focuser for Megrez 102 is ordered as an xmas gift to myself, As is all the ADM accessories required to convert my EQ6 to Losmandy D-series dovetails for better support of the C11 + side by side setup...