Old aspirations, New Money (for a scope!)

[aussiekirgan (Rob)]

Hi All,

I found this site after diving deep into research during the last few weeks, and have gotten some great information so far - have really enjoyed learning and now have a few questions if anyone could help.
First point, I've read through many of the "new kit"threads below to get an idea so will try not to repeat them.
Secondly, I'm a keen photographer and have a Nikon D700 12mp full frame DSLR, and would now like to put some really good kit on the end of it and do some astrophotography (I may be approaching this from the wrong end).. I was given a little 60mm refractor years ago and due to the mount etc, want to go a bit further now.
I was initially looking at the the Celestron CPC 800 XLT but when the store person immediately agreed with me when I mentioned it, I thought I'd better check.. Understanding an equatorial mount is much better for this, different kit may be in order -Have looked at a Cel CGEM 925 also... I want to spend between 2K and 4K to start, I obviously want to use my camera, although I may have unrealistic expectations after looking at this site:
http://www.johnmiranda.com/telescope.htm
I know I won't get near that kind of thing but it helps me to think I can get good results with my camera..
Any thoughts on a good setup would be really appreciated - I know what I'm looking at so far is pretty integrated and makes upgrading difficult so I'm very open any thoughts. I have a feeling my budget is a little low but let me know - I'm keen to see moon, planets, some deep space stuff, and don't want to upgrade next month so happy to look at a long term desicion..
Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Rob. I'm sure there will be others pop by and offer their advice. So I'll only say this. Start short with your focal length. Even 50mm camera lens. Or 300. Work with what you have now. Then try 500-700mm refractor and you will be on your way. There is an EQ6 mount for an absolute bargain in the Icetrade section under telescopse and mounts you may want to consider. Great one to get started with.

I'll leave it there and let others fill you in on the rest of your journey

[aussiekirgan (Rob)]

Hi Paul, cheers for the welcome and the advice - much appreciated, will listen to everyone who takes the time to respond so thanks!

[duncan]

Hi Rob,
He is using the same camera as you intend to use so with a smaller scope it basically = longer exposure.
I've seen photos posted on here using 80mm scopes that look just as good.
Having said this i myself am only just starting out in this field but i'm sure others will testify the same.
Good Luck with your revival, i'm sure you will enjoy it immensely
Plenty of great photographers here to give you advice.
Cheers,
Duncan

[aussiekirgan (Rob)]

Thanks Duncan, much appreciated - any thoughts on a kit that won't be needing replacement after a few months would be great - I'm happy to invest properly now as a long term thing - that used EQ6 Paul mentioned but I'm in Sydney so it makes it a bit hard - happy to look at all new gear and get the right stuff.

[duncan]

Hi Rob,
Mate i'll leave all the real serious advice to those that have been doing this a lot longer than me. I'm only a rank beginner and not knowledgable enough as yet. I'm quite sure some one else will chime in shortly.
All the best with it all.
Cheers

[duncan]

Rob keep an eye on the telescopes and mounts for sale section, in the Ice Trade section.

[aussiekirgan (Rob)]

Thanks Duncan.
I'd be grateful for anyones suggestions on a good solid scope per my above thoughts - Current working out whether to go for a decent 8-9 inch SC (Celestron CPC) or a higher quality refractor (BD100-120ED) on a eq5 goto, etc.. I'd love to get a William Optics but not sur ethe budget will stretch.
It seems that the good refractors are better for photos, but where do the capabilities overlap? and the cost? any thoughts appreciated.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

Ive been having a crack at astrophotography now for a year and a bit.
So what have i learnt in that time? lots ahahaha

My advice for you is this.

get a minimum of a EQ6. lots of people say you can go for a smaller mount which is true but... youll be upgrading. Your funds probably cant stretch the Losmandy G11g (with gemini lvl 3 or 4 i think) as they are near 5 grand alone.

I cant stress the importance of starting off with a short focal length refractor..... It allows you to take decent images and learn at the same time heres a shot i took on the weekend with a ED 80 and a modified Finderscope for a guide scope.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/w...82/ngc6334.png

with a small setup you can get away with the above mentioned Finderscope. easy as.

down the track look for a CCD camera that is cooled. the DSLR is fine when the ambient temperature is zero degrees but the noise is unbareable when your in a ambient temp of > 20 deg.

The images that you have shown from that website are not unexpectable with the right processing and steps used you will be easily able to replicate them and depending on your skill at processing surpass them.!

Good luck and ask any questions you want

[aussiekirgan (Rob)]

Hey Brendan,
Really appreciate the comments, yep it sounds like it's a decent move to get a good quality refractor to start playing with..
My only question would be: what are the main requirements that make you move from the refractor to your dob or the CS? Thanks again.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

No problems about the info.

My decision as to what telescope i use is based 100% on weather conditions and the target.

If its blowing a gale i go to the ED80 without hesitation
If its still then i put the 10" dob up

if im wanting to image a galaxy - 10" dob
if im wanting to image a extended nebula then i go for the ED 80.

though as I love imaging nebule then i normally go for the ed80. If you can get a hold of one the little Skywatcher ED 80 Gold tube is a great little scope (they are about 550-600 new but i have seen them second hand for 400 450) and with the addition of a Baadar MPCC (which can be used for a reflector aswell) makes the stars pin point to the edge of field.

If you are to get a refractor just remember you will most likely need an extension tube, these are inexpensive but due to the fact you cant really get low profile focusers or cut the tube to bring the lens up they allow for a large back focus range. no biggie just something to remember.

One thing that i forgot to mention is the need for a Guide camera, you have a few choices, Meade DSI, Orion Autoguider, QHY5. they are all just as good as each other, pick the one that costs the least! if you do go down this path you can modify the finderguider, talk to me about this as i can do the mod.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=58329

here is a setup that you might want to look at.

[Vanda (Ian)]

So Brendan what will I get with a 120mm D F7.5 refractor with a 0.85 reducer 2" adapter and T ring for a dslr? Seems I get the same magnification for each shot using the dslr as prime focus? Good way to start though? Hope you & rob do not mind me joining in! I have an EQ5 mount.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

not at all Ian, im unsure though what you mean by what will you get?

But you live in perth so we can always catch up theres always lots to be lernt about EQ5's and EQ6's when everybody has them pm me if you wish

Brendan

[Vanda (Ian)]

pm sent - I hope!