Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeteth
You could get an EQ8 for about the $6k mark if you are worried about payload capacity (up to 50kg on the EQ8), however they are a pretty heavy mount and not really built for portability or setting up/tearing down constantly.
Do you have any idea what the total weight of your payload will be? You will need to factor in scope, camera, guidescope and any other accessories you'll have on there.
The other thing to consider - all the costs add up pretty quick when getting into astrophotography. Obviously the mount, scope and camera are the big ones - but don't forget there's a heap of other stuff you might want/need such as guide scope, guide cam, dew heaters, flatbox, focal reducer, filters, filter wheel and certainly don't forget the software! I suggest thinking about what items you will need right off the bat and work out a total overall budget so you know exactly what you need to spend. I'm not trying to scare you away at all, it's all definitely worth it - but I was somewhat blindsided with how quick it can all add up.
|
Hi David,
~50kg capacity - I'm sure I won't go near it, the NP127is with rings is just on 8kg, and with the extra gear I'll need it may get to 12-13 kg tops I reckon.
Thank you for the heads up regarding all the extra bits:
- I already have a dew heater for the main scope.
- I don't think I'll need a focal reducer nor a field flattener cos the NP127is is f/5.2 and inherently flat cos' of the Nagler-Petzval design.
- I have a vintage 1.25 inch Lumicon Deep Sky Filter - I'm hoping this will help with urban skies to begin with.
- I have a ZWO ASI 224MC camera on order just a starter camera.
- I'm a Mac user but have a PC laptop for AP purposes (USB 3).
But hell yeah, still to get:
- Guidescope and guide cam will cost.
- Don't know if my eyepiece dew heater can be used for the camera ?
- Bahtinov mask will be needed.
- Flatbox - what the hell is that ?
- Filters and Filter wheel - yeah, all in good time.
- Software - I will need advice from you guys when the time comes, I have a old copy of Adobe Photoshop - not sure if its PC or Mac, it could well be too old for todays OS's.
I certainly appreciate the reality check, but I'm hoping many of these things are once-off costs, bought over time as you get more and more into it. Many thanks! Fox