Wedge

[Solanum]

When using a Meade/Celestron or similar SCT as a general purpose visual and photography scope the alt-az fork mount is obviously no good for long exposure DSO photography. My question is would one be better to buy a different equatorial mount or use a 'wedge' to tip the alt-az mount to equatorial?

In other words does anyone have an opinion regarding the trade off between using a wedge for photography and the hassle of setting up an equatorial for visual observing?

Lets assume a 50:50 split in use between visual and photography.

[renormalised]

If you're going to use the scope for traditional long exposure piccies, then an EQ mount is paramount (pun unintended:)). It just takes a bit of fiddling around to get things running right and if you don't mind assembling a tripod and wedge/telescope all the time, then it's fine. However, if you want to get away with still using the scope in alt-az mode and get some spicky piccies, invest in a Hyperstar lens from Starizona. (http://starizona.com/acb/hyperstar/index.aspx) You can use the Hyperstar in eq mode as well, but because of how fast it can capture images, you can use it in alt-az and unguided and get great piccies. You also need a compatible telescope...they'll tell you onsite which ones are. Take a look at these piccies (http://starizona.com/acb/hyperstar/hyperstar3/).

However, what I would do is grab an OTA and another mount, say an EQ6 Pro, if this is as far as your budget can stretch. More stable than using a wedge and less hassles. If you're going to permanently mount the scope, then you need to look at some serious mount hardware...a G11/Titan, EM400 or larger, AP1200 and larger, PME or something similar (even one of the new Chronos mounts), but they're maybe outside your budget. You also have the luxury of being able to use them in portable mounts as well, but that really depends on your definition of portable!!!:)

I hope that has helped:)