Good scope for beginner astrophotographer?

[JarrydS]

Hey, although i only recently bought my first scope 2 weeks ago, i am keen to get into astrophotography, i am not sure people would recommend to go straight into it, but the way i see it, if you don't set challenges in your life you'll never reach your goal. So i was wondering if anyone could give some good suggestions on a nice scope for astrophotography, i quite enjoy looking at planets but i wouldn't mind imaging some deeper space objects eventually, like nebulae etc...

[renormalised]

How much are you willing to spend....that way we can figure out a good combo.

[JarrydS]

Hmm, well....$2000 would be good, but i'm willing to go for $5000 if it comes down to it.

[renormalised]

$2000 would be pushing our luck...simply because a good mount is going to cost you at least that. So let's look at $5000.

OK

If all you want to take is lunar/planetary and a few of the brighter DSO's (little or no guiding), and you just want to get your feet wet, you have plenty to choose from... These are from Bintel
(https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm)
Meade ETX LS ACF 6"...$2599
Meade LX90/200 ACF 8-10"...$3500-$4700 (LX90), $4800 (8" ACF LX200)

Celestron CPC800 XLT $3999

All you need to add to them is a Meade LPI or Celestron NexImage. The LightSwitches (LS scopes) have their own inbuilt camera.

Numerous packages over at Andrews Communications (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm)

However, if you're looking at getting right into it, for $5000 you could get most of a reasonable package, but it'd be one you would have to add onto later.

Let's just pick one out of a infinite number of possibilities.... (from Andrews)

EQ6Pro mount....$1999
GSO RC 8"...$2199 or Skywatcher BD ED 100mm Apo...$1499
WO Zenithstar 70mm Apo guidescope...$549
QHY 5 autoguider....$350

That's nearly or just a bit over $5000...now you need an imaging device, laptop (to control it all), imaging filters, filter wheel/selector and a host of other bits and pieces. So the expenses start to creep up!!!!

If you don't mind lugging around a great hulk of a piece of kit, you could go the Newtonian reflector way and by something like a Skywatcher or GSO newt (8-12") with an EQ6Pro mount for between $2500-$3700 and then add cameras, etc, to that. It's up to you.

[OzRob]

I have just gone through buying equipment from a similar starting point and with the same aim. I ended up buying an EQ6 Pro mount ($2000) and a WO FLT 110 triplet telescope. With various accessories to mount the scope, attach my existing DSLR and some other bits and pieces it was a further $4000. I also bought ($500) a modified SPC900NC webcam (with various accessories) for lunar imaging with the plan to use it with a guide scope later. Once I have some experience using this equipment I will look at getting a smaller guide scope (probably a WO ZenithStar 66.)

Now all I need is some clear skies to use the stuff!!

BTW I have used the scope a couple of nights and I was very pleased with the scope.

[renormalised]

Jarryd...going on what I wrote earlier....if you have a DSLR camera, you will get away with a lot of expenses in so far as having to not purchase a CCD imager, filter wheel etc. However, you will probably want to get a CCD imager, and there, depending on what you want to do with it and how much you're prepared to spend, the sky's the limit.

Really good idea is to keep your eye out on the IIS Trade & Classifieds section. You maybe able to pickup some real bargains there...maybe a whole setup if you're lucky!!.

[Benno85]

:welcome:

If you're looking at going down the money-pit-but-oh-so-rewarding path of astrophotography, then you really need to invest as much as possible in the mount upfront. Whilst there are differing opinions on this, and ultimately it's up to you as there is no right and wrong, dropping as much coin as you can on the mount in the beginning will save you a bit in the long run.

Being in the same boat as you (ie, wearing the Newbie Bid:)), I've just purchased my second outfit, after first getting a cheap reflector and horrible EQ2 mount. I've saved long and hard for an EQ6Pro and an 8" reflector, and can tell you that while this can be at first a pretty daunting setup (3 trips to take the tripod, mount and scope outside for setup etc), but I don't for once regret this because when I'm comfortable enough to take the plunge in photography, I know my mount will be capable of this, which means I won't need to submit another propasl to the financial controller:D.

Give it time mate, learn your way around the sky and scope first, it's well worth the investment.

:thumbsup:

[Mike21]

I began with a 120mm acro and an EQ5 with drives and naively believed I could spend a while learning with the EQ5. If you're sure you want to photograph the sky, don't skimp on the mount, don't purchase intermediate equipment; go straight for a capable mount and build your rig on that. It seems a few beginners have even regret getting an HEQ5Pro as an intermediate step because they were looking for the 6 so quickly afterwards. Even so HEQ5's seem to move pretty quickly on this site if you want to trade up. EQ5's not so quickly. I'm still saving for an adequate mount. Good luck.

[seeker372011]

the non modded DSLR route is probably the most cost effective -a CG5 mount a generic ED80,-bothe from Andrews Comms- a cheap guidescope (or maybe use the scope you bought two weeks ago), QHY5 autoguider, and a second hand Canon 350D..will even allow for a laptop and still squeeze in to your budget

you can imaging away and produce half decent pictures.

[JarrydS]

EQ6Pro mount....$1999
GSO RC 8"...$2199
WO Zenithstar 70mm Apo guidescope...$549
QHY 5 autoguider....$350

This is looking pricy, but ive been doing some research into these sorts of things...been looking a lot on Andrews Comms and reading up, the mount is a definite you also said about imaging device etc... do you have any recommendations if i was going to use the above gear what imaging device i should purchase, also i already have a powerful laptop, so that's not on the list. So far $5008 or something like that... Im quite happy with that price, money isnt a HUGE problem. At least its not like $15,000... yet.... lol. On top of the imaging device what other gear would i need? Oh also can you please provide a link to the QHY5 autoguider, i cant seem to find it on andrews communications, is it on there?

[renormalised]

Click here for the QHY 5 autoguider.... Gama Electronics (http://web.aanet.com.au/%7Egama/)

They also have good imagers as well. The owner, Theo, is also a member here.

Now as far as imagers go, you could opt for a DSLR camera or go for the CCD camera. In the long run, it all depends on how far into imaging you want too go. I would suggest if you want to get serious, to invest in a CCD...although it can pay to work your way up to one by starting your imaging with a DSLR. A Canon 40D would be a good start. You can have them modded by removing the IR/UV filter which will make its red response a lot better than otherwise. That way, you learn the ropes with imaging and image processing before you get into the big time imaging. You can also start off fairly cheaply with a CCD camera. An Orion Starshoot Pro will cost around $2500 at Bintel. It's a OSC (One Shot Colour) camera, which will a bit easier to use in the beginning than a monochrome CCD, especially if you want colour pics. You could also get a QHY8 but that is a $3200 investment. Keep an eye out in the Trade and Classified section and you may pickup one that's cheaper. SBIG cameras are also very good, however they maybe a bit out of your price range unless you pick one up 2nd hand.

I'm heading for Zzzz-land right now, so I'll reply again tomorrow. Someone else might chime in with advice on cameras and other gear in the meantime.

[JarrydS]

I went into a shop today to look at the Canon 40D, they reckon it's no longer being sold anymore, its been replaced by the 50D. Which is $1800 and is a 15 megapixel camera. Does that sound reasonable?

[renormalised]

I'd shop around, as well as on the net, as you're more than likely able to pick it up cheaper. Where did you look at it??

[JarrydS]

I can't remember what the shop is called, its a specialist camera shop in Darwin City. The only problem is they won't mod it. So i guess i'd have to send it off to somewhere that does, it might even be more worth buying a second hand pre-modded one.

[renormalised]

No, they won't mod the camera because most of them wouldn't know how to do it, anyway. Not only that, but it might void the warranty on a new camera. Your second mentioned option is the best route. However, you can play around with an unmodded camera at first....that's the usual route into DSLR astropiccie taking.