Telescope-viewing and DSLR photography

andyroo (Andrew) · #1 10-01-2012, 09:23 PM

Hi,

I posted a wanted ad for a meade ETX 125 and after some good advice not so sure I want to go with that scope now. So then I've been looking, and I think these celestrons might be a good buy?

http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/t...xstar-6se.html

or

http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/t...xstar-4se.html

The 4SE is WAY cheaper in AUS, it's a shame because for the same price as a 4se in AUS I could get a 6SE in america, and amazon won't ship it here.

Still how much difference could an extra two inches make? Do you think the 4SE would be too small for digital photography? Does the goto track? As in can I set on an object (say orion) and let it expose for half an hour? Or adjust at intervals. Will it keep tracking steadly? If not what are the brands/scopes that can do this tracking?

I'm open to any suggestions/recommendations for diff brands/types of telescopes. I just really want the auto "go to" feature, plus the best for using with a DSLR up to around say $1500 maybe more, because I guess I need a T mount etc for the camera plus maybe an adapter for the electronics. Plus I wouldn't mind spending more if it was really justified. But I can't justify an extra $1000 for a scope just because it is overseas.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Edit I just found this regarding the 4SE:

For astro-imaging alt-azimuth mounted telescopes are not well suited, though. For this purpose you can mount the telescope in equatorial mode on the integrated polar wedge of the tripod. There will be no image rotation and therefore longer exposure times become possible. Here, too, alignment is made easy by Celestron's ingenious Sky Align.

Poita (Peter) · #2 11-01-2012, 08:52 AM

My advice would be to pick up a second hand C8 if you are looking at these types of telescopes. You can get one for under a grand really easily.

A 4" SCT is really small and the difference in light gathering between a 4" and an 8" scope is pretty huge.

Any scope on a fork mount is hard to use for photography, you have to use a wedge which makes it all a bit wobbly and unwieldy.

You won't get half an hour on any new telescope for $1500, for exposures that long you would need to guide.

If photography is your main goal, what do you wish to photograph?
If planets and the moon, then an SCT is not a bad choice, if deep sky objects then on your budget it would probably be better to get an ED80 refractor and a decent tracking mount 2nd hand, like a HEQ5Pro and you could get away at about $1500.

rainwatcher (Peter) · #3 11-01-2012, 10:28 AM

The only thing ingenious about Celestron is their pricing - and its not in your favour.

johnno59 (John) · #4 12-01-2012, 01:12 AM

Hi Andrew, saw this thread tonight just after seeing this Celestron 6SE advertised,

http://adelaide.gumtree.com.au/c-Stu...AdIdZ341217393

I see you are in Wagga this ad is in Adelaide hope it helps.
Cheers
John

andyroo (Andrew) · #5 15-01-2012, 04:09 PM

Think that must be sold already.

I don't have my heart set on a celestron, I'm more after any suggestions, or recommendation! Thanks for the suggestions so far.

OICURMT · #6 15-01-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

Any scope on a fork mount is hard to use for photography, you have to use a wedge which makes it all a bit wobbly and unwieldy.

traveller (Bo) · #7 15-01-2012, 05:11 PM

I have a 8SE and have taken webcam videos of planets and used registax to produce some reasonable photos. But that is the limitation of a single fork arm (which is why I bought an EQ 6 and selling my nexstar mount).
Anyway, I suggest you set your a budget and buy the biggest aperture you can afford (8" SCT as someone suggested is good) and do some visuals first, the single arm is light weight and easy to lug out for a quick view. The nexstar has good go to, esp if you use their 3 star alignment (GPS also helps).
Once you get the hang of visuals, then do some web cam stuff. Finally (after you saved a couple of thousand or four), upgrade your mount and get a decent ccd camera.
HTH.
Bo
PS welcome

traveller (Bo) · #8 15-01-2012, 05:15 PM

Shameless plug, you can get my nexstar mount in the trade section ($700) then get a second hand 8"SCT OTA and that should set you back about $1500 all up and should keep you amused for a couple of years easily!
Bo

Poita (Peter) · #9 16-01-2012, 11:32 AM

There are some 2nd hand HEQ5s for sale in the classifieds at the moment.
You would be best off to steer clear of fork mounts if photography is your goal. Grab a 2nd hand EQ mount, something like a 2nd hand HEQ5PRO or an EQ6Pro or NEQ6Pro and a 2nd hand 8" SCT OTA and I reckon you could still get there for $1500 and you will be way, way better setup than using an ALT/AZ mount that you will want to replace before long at all.

traveller (Bo) · #10 16-01-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

There are some 2nd hand HEQ5s for sale in the classifieds at the moment.
You would be best off to steer clear of fork mounts if photography is your goal. Grab a 2nd hand EQ mount, something like a 2nd hand HEQ5PRO or an EQ6Pro or NEQ6Pro and a 2nd hand 8" SCT OTA and I reckon you could still get there for $1500 and you will be way, way better setup than using an ALT/AZ mount that you will want to replace before long at all.

I really doubt you can get a second hand 8" SCT on a EQ6 for $1500, more like $2000. Yes, the fork mount has limitations for AP work, but for visual work it's great.

Poita (Peter) · #11 16-01-2012, 01:35 PM

A 2nd hand EQ6 is usually between $950 and $1200, a 2nd hand C8 OTA can be had for <$500.
I'd happily sell mine for $500!
So a 2nd hand setup should get you there for around $1500, especially on a HEQ5Pro which can be had for $850 2nd hand.

A HEQ5Pro is only $1199 new from Andrews Communications, the EQ6Pro is $1499 new, so 2nd hand you will do much better than that.
Andrew specifically expressed an interest in photography so I think a fork mount will not satisfy him for long.
If he grabs an EQ6 and a C8 or similar, another $300 down the track could snag him an ED80 for wide field/DSO work as well.
It is a relatively future proof platform, he can add more gear to it later (guidescopes, cameras, reducers and so on) but not have to *replace* or resell anything for a very long time.

The mount you have for sale would be a great grab and go for visual work, especially with a smaller scope, and it is a great price, but I don't think it would suit anyone with photography aspirations.

traveller (Bo) · #12 16-01-2012, 01:47 PM

I stand corrected. If you list your C8 for $500, depending on its age, I am sure it will move very fast.

Poita (Peter) · #13 16-01-2012, 01:58 PM

I've seen a bunch of older ones go for between $350 and $500.
A CF model went for $450 on here not long ago, now that was a steal!

I'll be listing mine as soon as Alexander has finished playing with it.