Newbie - Advice Telescope

[hyperterminal]

Hi All,
I've recently starting getting interested in Astronomy mainly off the back of my interest in photography and am keen to start photographing the wide open sky!

I am an extreme newbie in this area so please forgive my ignorance in the area. I suppose the first question to ask is what sort of telescope I should get????

My main interest is taken photographs and having little knowledge of what is possible in this area I suppose it is abit had to say what type of sky watching I want to do other than to say "whatever I can take photos of :)

Thinking of my budget It would be around 1500-2000 for my first telescope to use with my Nikon D7000.

I have been looking on the web and was also wondering whether it is possible to buy scopes in the US (as prices seem to be half price in the USA) Reason I ask is Im not sure if some of the computerised models such as http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-telescope-11097.html

work in australia because of power????

I suppose my two questions are:

1. What Scopes do people suggest in the $1500-2000 bracket and will that get me a decent scope?

2. Is there any issues with buying scopes from the USA and any compatibility or power issues with doing so ( with the exception if potential issues with warranty)

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for that!

hyper

[Poita]

You could spend that money on something on an EQ6 mount, and attach your camera to that.
If you add GST and freight to the telescope in your link, I think you will find it comes to over $500 more than the listed price.

$2199 would get you a Black Diamond 254 x 1200P w/EQ6PRO "Go-To" mount and "Go-To" SynScan hand controller from Andrews in Australia.

[tonybarry]

Hi H,

I would suggest that you visit a nearby astronomy club, talk with people who have equipment, and get their opinion.

You will see stuff that interests you, and stuff that doesn't interest you. From this, you can make a much more informed decision as to what you want to get, to get you what you want.

For example, if you decide that you are a planet person, you'll prefer a scope that has a higher native f/ratio than if you prefer large deep sky objects. You'll prefer a camera that can do 60 frames a second rather than one hour exposures.

Until you work out what you want, it will be difficult to know what to get. You can spend a lot of money on what won't help you. My suggestion is ... talk to others, see what they have, and then think about spending.

Regards,
Tony Barry

[mithrandir]

Julian,

There are several people around Castle Hill into astronomy. Check with solissydney (Ken) if observing will be on at Dural Pony Club on Friday. The weather has been rather unkind lately, either cloudy, raining, or the ground too waterlogged for anyone to be allowed on the grounds.

Andrew