Hello guys, I've always been interested in telescopes but didn't manage to find the time and the money to get this hobby started properly. Can i just ask if there are any decent scopes for around AUD1000? If possible, i would like to mount my 5D Mark II on the telescope! Sorry total idiot at this but I've been reading this website for recommendations. I have zero equipment at the moment so i guess i gotta get quite a few items!
Your budget is sufficient to get a reasonable scope and eyepieces. As outlined in the article, there are many possible combinations that could fit the bill for you.
I would strongly urge you to join a local Astronomy Club and attend a viewing night or two before you spend your hard earned money. Many clubs even offer scope rentals so that you can see for yourself what type of scope you want.
Depending on your intentions (visual or astrophotography) there are several different options and paths that you could go down to "scratch your particular itch"...while not fatal, mistakes can be costly so do your homework first.
If you are not able to join a club at least make the effort to visit a astronomy store/shop in your area. There is a BINTEL shop in/near Melbourne and tht would be a good place to get advice and again see some gear first hand.
At your price range for AP (assuming you already have the 5D) a (second-hand) HEQ5 + 6-8" Newt would be the go.
Astrophotography requires effort and investment that usually surpasses your budget.
Saturn's rings are evident in almost any scope, though, the bigger the better obviously (more aperture=better views generally) for detail.
For visual, if I were you I would start off with a decent Alt-Az mount and an 8" newt.
This rig is more convenient than a Dobsonian, though it lacks the 'go-to' option of the Skywatcher & Orion series.
For a c.1k rig, for AP, I would favour a 5-6" SCT and GEM.
SCTs are easy to use and the views-for-the-money are very good indeed.
You've come to the right place 1000AUD will get you a pretty good scope, but as mentioned before, what do you plan on viewing for visual and do you plan on photograhy?
Your budget is sufficient to get a reasonable scope and eyepieces. As outlined in the article, there are many possible combinations that could fit the bill for you.
I would strongly urge you to join a local Astronomy Club and attend a viewing night or two before you spend your hard earned money. Many clubs even offer scope rentals so that you can see for yourself what type of scope you want.
Depending on your intentions (visual or astrophotography) there are several different options and paths that you could go down to "scratch your particular itch"...while not fatal, mistakes can be costly so do your homework first.
If you are not able to join a club at least make the effort to visit a astronomy store/shop in your area. There is a BINTEL shop in/near Melbourne and tht would be a good place to get advice and again see some gear first hand.
Good Luck and Enjoy! Clear Dark Skies to you...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous
At your price range for AP (assuming you already have the 5D) a (second-hand) HEQ5 + 6-8" Newt would be the go.
Astrophotography requires effort and investment that usually surpasses your budget.
Saturn's rings are evident in almost any scope, though, the bigger the better obviously (more aperture=better views generally) for detail.
For visual, if I were you I would start off with a decent Alt-Az mount and an 8" newt.
This rig is more convenient than a Dobsonian, though it lacks the 'go-to' option of the Skywatcher & Orion series.
For a c.1k rig, for AP, I would favour a 5-6" SCT and GEM.
SCTs are easy to use and the views-for-the-money are very good indeed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegeta
You've come to the right place 1000AUD will get you a pretty good scope, but as mentioned before, what do you plan on viewing for visual and do you plan on photograhy?
Thanks so much for suggestions. Visual will be most important to me but it will be a bonus if i can capture some images as well ! Will my budget allow for me to see the colors of the nebulas? Sorry guys, been doing my research as to where to buy the telescopes from as well. Do you guys have any suggestions? Is it better to buy it from the US and get it in with mail forwarding companies?
At your budget I would look at a 10" Dob with $300 left over for two decent second hand eyepieces. You can takes pictures of the moon and planets with a dob and my advice would be to learn how and where to find objects in the sky before out laying your hard earned on a system that may frustrate (i.e a EQ mount).
A 10" Dob will give you beaut visuals of Saturn and at $700 it holds it resale value well so if you choose to go down the path of astrophotography (AP) you'll have some carry over cash to play with. Playing around with a Dobsonian you will learn a heap about what you like (e.g eyepieces) and where stuff is (e.g star hopping).
At $700 for a new 10" the extra cash will allow some good eyepieces.
