Yet another "Which 'scope ..."

[Colsmith]

OK, you guys never seem to tire of answering this type of query, so here goes ...

I'm an experienced photographer (film and digital) who's always been interested in astronomy. So, naturally, my final goal is to produce stunning images of (mostly) DSOs. I'm happy to take my time getting there.

From reading this forum it seems the first commandment for noobs is
"Get thee a Dob!"
Well a good sized dob is just too big, I need more portability.

So I'm looking at 2 options:


Celestron C8 SGT (Bintel = $2999, Andrews = $2950), or
Skywatcher ED120PRO + EQ6PRO (Andrews = $1799 + $1999 = $3835)I'm hesitant to go over $3K at this stage, but option 2 seems to offer the best long term alternative?

What does everybody think of these options, is there an option I've missed (please no dob!), which option offers the best start up results and, while I'm asking, what acccessories do I need immediately (viewing, not photography)???

Thanks,

Colin.

[bmitchell82]

if your doing photography go with a guide scope and a real scope, you already have a dslr so thats cool but remember without guiding 1 -2 minute exposures will be your limit

either a ed 80 and a orion short tube with a guide ccd and a eq6 you will get great wide field plus when you want to spend more then you can upsize your main scope and use the ed 80 as a guide scope that you can swap between the two.

[Colsmith]

Thanks Brendon,

After going round and round in circles I remember this as being one of the options I considered - not sure why I originally vetoed it :shrug:. Anyway I've settled on a compromise: EQ6PRO + SWED80, the ED80 will eventually be relegated to a guide scope (maybe when I buy a new Black Diamond 120:D).

Colin.

[bmitchell82]

Good choice, but you could always do something like put a good Narrow Field of scope so that you can cover a wider range of styles.

Lately i have been thinking about it to put a high f# scope on the side i know this makes finding guide stars a little harder but at the end of the day, you have a grand imaging set up!