Quote:
Originally Posted by Startrek
Stephanie,
You will still have some coma in the corners of your field using f5 or f6 but at this stage you could image without a coma corrector and purchase it later on
My advice for a beginner, since your heading for a newtonian reflector imaging set up ( like I started with and still use ) would be the following options -
Option 1
6" f5 Bintel Newtonian reflector or 6" f6 Bintel Newtonian reflector ( have Don replace the existing single speed focuser with a dual speed focuser which is a must for imaging, he replaced the focuser on my 6" f6 to dual speed for a small additional cost )
Mount - Skywatcher HEQ5 or Saxon HEQ5
Guide scope - 50mm or 60mm ( I use the Orion 60mm with helical focuser )
Guide camera ZWOASI120MM-S USB3
Main imaging camera - any second hand APS- C DSLR like a Canon 450D, 80D or 600D etc... You will need a Canon EOS T Ring adapter
Use a DSLR to get some experience for a year or two and then maybe progress to a dedicated CMOS cooled camera
Option 2
Same Telescopes , cameras etc...as above but with a bigger more superior mount to future proof your imaging for years and years to come
Mount- Skywatcher EQ6-R pro
Option 3 ( future proof option )
8' f5 Bintel Newtonian reflector
Mount - Skywatcher EQ6-R pro
Guide scope - Orion 60mm with helical focuser
Guide camera ZWOASI120MM-S USB3
Same imaging camera
Warning: Astrophotography is a money pit , so be prepared. The above set ups are under $5K which is roughly entry level costs ( even with just a good DSLR, tracker and Lenses etc..for wide field work will cost you up to $5k and more )
Hope the above is helpful
Maybe other folk have different suggestions and advice
Cheers
Martin
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Martin, thanks so much, that is really helpful.
The EQ6-R pro mount is quite a bit more expensive than the NEQ6 pro mount that was recommended to me. Would the NEQ6 pro do the job? What are the pros of the EQ6-R?
I made a new post about someone selling an old CGEM mount. Since it is so much more cheaper than a new mount, I am considering it. Anything I should know or look out for before buying a second-hand mount? (Feel free to respond in the thread "Mount advice").
Thanks again