Quote:
Originally Posted by mickh
Thanks Martin, awesome info.
This might be an obvious question, but would I need to buy any sort of
attachment to attach the current telescope I have, to an EQ6-R?
I've ordered a T-ring to attach to the EOS 600D, and I am hoping that might be all I need to mount the camera to the Skywatcher scope, after I saw this video on Youtube (from 3:38 into the video).
With the EQ6-R, I would need to move it outside for each use. And I would like to transport it in the car when I go to the in-laws house (they are out of town, so there are many more stars visible where they are). Is it quite portable?
How long would it take to set it up after transport?
And how long would it take me to polar align it each time I use it, so that the alignment is accurate enough for deep space astrophotographs?
Thanks again
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Michael
Not sure if your existing dob scope is going to work as an equatorial scope as it would have central supports which may obstruct your AP equipment. Also at f8 focal length the tube it’s quite long ( probably 1200mm long ) which makes balancing and guiding a lot harder
For what it’s worth I would keep your visual dob scope and buy a second hand or preferably a new 6” f5 or 6” f6 newt designed for Astrophotography. For $400 to $500 is a small outlay compared to the mount cost to have a good quality scope designed for Astrophotography (and for visual as well if you want )
Personally I’d go for the Bintel 6” f5 or Bintel 6” f6 ( longer focal length for a bit more reach ) As long as they have a dual speed focuser !!!
These come a finderscope and tube rings so all you need is a solid dovetail bar , say a Losmandy 14” DUP and Allen head set screws bolts etc.. to mount on your EQ6-R mount.Later on you will probably have to get a coma corrector for your camera so that your stars are round right to the edge of frame. Newts suffer from coma from f6 down to f3 focal length
Later on you learn how to Autoguide ( more equipment)
The EQ6-R mount is semi portable, I’m 60yrs old 68kg and can lift the mount head and assemble mine ok but mines a backyard stay at home rig so it’s set up usually for 2 weeks at a time. I have a weatherproof cover for it.
It’s hard to put a time on things but an estimate would be -
Set up mount and scope with power , data cabling to camera , misc equipment and laptop 1 to 2 hours
Polar align - 5 minutes to 1 hour ( skill level and conditions dependant )
You would set up in the arvo and polar align as soon as it’s dark
Hope that helps
PS my advice is to read read read , look at YouTube clips etc on Astronomy and Astrophotography. A great on line e book is Jerry Lodriguss “ A Beginners Guide to DSLR Astrophotography” well worth purchasing and reading for the beginner
I’ve been in the hobby for 4 years and haven’t found an easier book to get you started
Warning Warning !!! Astronomy and Astrophotography is not a cheap hobby ( not expensive either ) but you can’t buy your way out of problems , you have to learn and resolve them through experience along the Journey
IIS members are always willing to help !!!!
Martin