Newbie and astrophotogs

[robatman]

Hi all,
Been lurking a while, great forum here, not just the general chat but everything else on this site is so helpful.

Bit of intro- Ive been into photography for a real long time and am competent technically with DSLR, and film before that. I still have most of my Large format and darkroom gear but its now gathering dust!

I dont have a scope but have tried to take some photos this last week using a barn door type mount I made and 75-300 @ 300mm. Needs a bit of tweaking...

My question is what would be the cheapest scope (and mount) for attaching a DSLR to- I have a Canon 50D and also a modified 300D- i love land based infrared photography.

Theres been some good threads recently about beginners scopes- I like this thread in particular!
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38437

Can the suggested set-up (Skywatcher 70x900mm EQ1) take a DSLR and how do I do it?

Thanks for any help,
Robert

[PCH]

Hi Robert,

and :welcome: to IIS. I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. However, when (many) others have asked this same question over the years, the reply has been pretty standard, so I feel able to suggest it.

A good quality mount such as an HEQ5 or preferably EQ6, and a good quality shortish fl (meaning fast f-ratio around f5 or f6) refractor such as the ED80s from Skywatcher, Orion and so on. The quality of images some of the IIS guys have taken with this setup is (imho) amazing.

Btw, also imho, the eq1 and scope setup you mention would be disastrous. The mount would take forever to stop wobbling, and the scope is about f12 which even on a decent mount would make it not a good scope for an astro beginner. The shorter fl/faster fr is much more forgiving, and produces great wider field images.

Just my 2c Robert - hope it helps :thumbsup:

Cheers,

[robatman]

Thanks Paul,
I figured the consensus was an ED80 variant but cant really go to $700. Not sure of mounts- an EQ5 or 6 would be ideal but....

Are there any cheaper motorised tracking mounts?

Should i be looking only at refractors or will another type work?

Robert

[[1ponders]]

:welcome: Robert.

What's the longest lens you have for your canons?

[robatman]

Paul,
the longest is a 75-300 which I hadnt used in at least 7 or 8 years, its on ly the cheap consumer one, my next longest is a 100mm macro. I might as well add the others-- 10-22, 18-55 IS, 24 f2.8, 50 f1.8. Landscape is my normal thing so no long lenses.

[[1ponders]]

From all reports the 100mm macro is a cracker lens for widefield DSO imaging. From memory Terry Lovejoy in Brisbane discovered one of (if not both) of his last two comets with a DSLR and the 100 macro.

Even widefield you will still need decent tracking though. I would suggest at least the EQ6, but you could get away with a HEQ5 and a small cheaper scope for a guidescope (Skywatcher 80 f/5 acromat) and an illuminated reticle for manual guiding. Or if you want to spend a few (hundred :lol: ) extra bucks you could go for a webcam and shoestring autoguiding adapter. But then you'd need a laptop .....get the picture ;)


Mind you this ED80 is a pretty good price, though it comes without a finderscope.
http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-222

Have a look around Steve's site. He'll probably have a few things you'll want. ;) :evil: