Beginners setup rig

[msenior]

Afternoon everyone
Haven't posted on here in a while and kind of getting having another look at a rig setup for myself.

I currently have a Canon EOS 7D and will use that for photos but have no clue what im looking at as a setup rig in scope and mount.

Can someone break it down for me and explain what the hell im looking at cause the more I have been reading the more I am getting confused.

I would like to go something good value for money but not overly expensive. $1500 i think would be prob my budget.

Please give me details on what i should get. I ahve seen some awesome works on flickr and it has just sparked my interested again and I want to give it a try myself. Although the rigs that these guys were using are about $5k just for the scope something cheaper that can do something similar would be fantastic.

Example here http://www.flickr.com/photos/31986095@N05/5513385957/
He is using an Orion Atlas mount with an Orion ED80 scope from what i gather. No idea what the other stuff means however.

Cheers
Michael

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Michael,

Welcome to IIS!!! :welcome:

Check out my thread here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=63415&highlight=obi+wan) for what I got after I pondered the exact same question. Pics and everything. Of course, you can always pick up second hand ED Refractors to replace the reflector I got, if you want, as well as source a second hand mount.

Although, at $1399 at Andrews Comms still, my rig is a great place to start, BD200N on HEQ5 Pro. You may need a T ring and MPCC Coma Corrector though which you may not need if you go for an ED80 refractor.

Worth a look, even if it just gets you started on the road to your ultimate beginner's rigs. There are pros and cons for each scope, take a read of the post for the discussion points covered.

Cheers

Chris

[bmitchell82]

Good advice, your 7D will do the trick for a while and if you get bitten by the bug. :D well you can go from there!

you will need a corrector with nearly any scope you attach the 7D to as it is a full frame i believe. Don't let this scare you though. If it was me i would look at a decent quality ED 80 mm refractor if you have a little bit of movement in your 1500 then you will get the results if not you will rob Peter to pay Paul so to speak.

Also look second hand, IIS has a good classified section, there is also a few other ones floating around aust. Sometimes you can snag a absolute bargain because somebody gets frustrated with lack of knowledge and skill.

Getting any of the Dobsonians/newts needs extra pieces, and with the full frame you will run into problems regarding illumination of such a large sensor that is why i suggested a refractor as it has a larger imaging circle!

The other thing do you already own a laptop? with modern technology you kind of require a laptop, the programs can control every aspect of your system from guiding to imaging right though to planetarium and mount control.

Be aware also you will require guiding unless you go and spend 5-8k minimum on a high quality mount.! Guide scope kits can be purchased for a good price, though you will need to get a guide camera.

Basic setup in approximate terms

EQ5/EQ6 ~ 1-1600 respectively
ED 80 mm ~ 4-1000 quality dependant
Guiding - 3-500 but you can get crafty if your skilled with tools!

A canon T ring ~ 30
for allowing a nose piece/corrector to be attached to where the lense would normally go.

Corrector for your setup ~ 150-500 depending on quality and type its dependent on scope.

To be honest you can get away with a cheap setup, but it will be difficult and frustrating at times to get quality images out. that being said, you have to figure out if you just want to take a quick happy snap, or if you really want a good image.

The setup that took this cost me approximately 5k with all the gadgets gizmos and things, but be aware i did all the machine work myself and built all sorts of things to make it sing...

1st two links, the kit last link latest image. With 2 years of experience.

http://brendanmitchell.net/?page_id=10&album=15&cover=0&occur=1

http://brendanmitchell.net/?page_id=36

http://brendanmitchell.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/NGC-6729-120_25_25_30.jpg

[ReaPerMan]

I have only been back into Astronomy for the last year and a half and I have gone down a few dirt roads on the way. If you look in the iceinspace classifieds you can get some of the best deals going, my rig is currently

C9.25 SCT $1800 from iceinspace
ED80 triplet APO $700 from iceinspace
Star Shoot Autoguider $250 from iceinspace
Canon 1000 DDSLR $600 from Harvey Norman on special

I am only just now starting to spend bigger money on special equipment. So start slow, look for the bargains and most of all have fun.

Good luck

Paul:thumbsup: