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one of if not the main problem with starting Astronomy and moving into Astrophotography is that the initial scopes that people are directed towards so that they can see a reasonable ammount of objects are not suitable for photo work without a substancial financial outlay.
Newbies are still being directed towards Dobs as entry level scopes, low cost/large aperature and fair enough too.
When the photo bug bites reality bites too....
A simple run down.... let's assume we already have a 10" dob....
Upgrade to min mount for astrophotography $2500.00
Laptop or computer for image processing $1200.00
Second hand Canon 350D $750.00
A filter or two $400.00
El chepo 80mm refractor with webcam for guiding $400.00
Assorted cables and maybe some software (cheap) $300.00
Around $6000.00 give or take, sure a webcam stuck in the old dob will give us some moonage and one or two planets but even this is not easy to produce good images especially for a newbie and it rules out DSO's, oops sorry except for Ken of course.
l don't know what the best solution is but it does beg discussion so we can at least try to direct the new guys and gals the best we can although l must agree with Wavelandscott get some hands on experience with someone who has already tread the rocky road to Astrophotography.
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