My Setup

[zumka (Daniel)]

Currently I have the following setup:
EQ6PRO Mount with SW600 and Nikon D50 DSLR. I want to complete it to be able to start astrophotography.


My first question is guiding scope. I have shortlisted few items:

SW80 f5 Short Tube $250
Orion Short Tube 80mm $399
SW ED80 f7 $499
My plans are to use refractor time to time for the Deep Space Photography while using SW600 as a guide scope, however most of the times it will be other way around.
I know many of you will say to go with SW ED80 but I’d rather spend $250 instead of $499.


Second question is guide camera:

Since I already have Nikon I’m thinking just to go with something simple like Toucam for guiding and some planetary photography. What do you guys think?


Next question Focuser:

I’ve noticed many people in here are buying better focusers for their scopes. Can I get away with my current one which comes with SW600 or do I need to spend another $500 on a better focuser.


Final question. Adapters for my Nikon D50.:

What am I going to need to connect my DSLR to my scope, which accessories?

Thanks for your help.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I think your on a path to gold at the moment Dan,

If your thinking though to do photography though your guide refractor, go the ED yes it is expensive, but you will not regret the purchase.

Im not sure about the toucam, but it has been used for some great results on the planets, have you thought about a imaging sorce DMK one shot colour or bw?

I know a cannon Dslr 350 can achieve prime focus with the 1.25" - 2" adaptor with the 1.25" adaptor unscrewed with plenty of travel, im not sure of the Nikkon Dslr thread but im sure you can get something.
just have a look on the net for what thred it uses and if it is compatable. The reason why most people upgrade there focusers is due to 2 reasons, to get more in travel without shortening the Optical Tube, and to get better stability/focus. Ive seen the SW Crayford style work well!

[zumka (Daniel)]

Can anyone help me with Nikon D50 accessories ?

[33South (Chris)]

Originally Posted by zumka

Can anyone help me with Nikon D50 accessories ?

Contact BINTEL in Camberwell they stock all the bits you need, and will be glad to advise.

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by zumka

Currently I have the following setup:
EQ6PRO Mount with SW600 and Nikon D50 DSLR. I want to complete it to be able to start astrophotography.


My first question is guiding scope. I have shortlisted few items:

SW80 f5 Short Tube $250
Orion Short Tube 80mm $399
SW ED80 f7 $499
My plans are to use refractor time to time for the Deep Space Photography while using SW600 as a guide scope, however most of the times it will be other way around.
I know many of you will say to go with SW ED80 but I’d rather spend $250 instead of $499.

The Orion short tube works for me with a gm8 and 770 fl main scope. You might consider buying the OTA only for $259 and getting the guide rings separately--depends on your current setup

Originally Posted by zumka

Second question is guide camera:

Since I already have Nikon I’m thinking just to go with something simple like Toucam for guiding and some planetary photography. What do you guys think?

The TouCam works, but you will have to get an adaptor from Shoestring Astronomy to connect the computer to the guide port and you'll probably find that a dedicated guide camera is less hassle to set up, better to use and not all that much more expensive than the TouCam setup

Originally Posted by zumka

Next question Focuser:

I’ve noticed many people in here are buying better focusers for their scopes. Can I get away with my current one which comes with SW600 or do I need to spend another $500 on a better focuser.


Final question. Adapters for my Nikon D50.:

What am I going to need to connect my DSLR to my scope, which accessories?

Thanks for your help.

You can get away with just about any focuser, but a motorised one that you can control while looking at the image on your screen is something you'll never let go once you've tried it.