new member with autoguider and planetary cam questions

[aarong (Aaron)]

Hi all,

I'm new to the group, in fact this is my first post in a forum, so sorry if I do something wrong.

I have been learning about AP and enjoying the ride. Some e.g.' s are here:

http://www.potd.com.au/gallery/thumb...php?album=9862

I have been working hard on polar aligning and balancing my scope, but now am interested in if I should learn about autoguiding? I'm interested in people's opinions in what would be a good autoguider and guide scope and if I can get an autoguider that would make a good planetary camera?

I have been looking at this guidescope at Bintel http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
Is this ok?

My equipment is:
Meade LX90 8", on a wedge
Canon 1D mk3 DSLR (I'm a keen photographer)
BackyardEOS 5x planetary mode and eyepiece projection are currently used for my first Jupiter pic.

Thanks,
aarong

[scagman (John)]

Hi Aaron,

Hi and welcome to IIS.

You have some really nice images there. I esp. like your "Under the southern sky" image.

I use that guidescope and am happy with it. As for a guide cam I use the orion star shooter auto guider (ssag) and again it works fine. I dont think it would be any good for planetary work.

I leave recommending a planetary cam for others that have experiance in that area.

Once again welcome and looking forward to seeing what you can do once you start guiding.

Cheers.

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Depending on your budget and software used, you could try one of the Imaging Source/ DFK cameras as both a guide camera and a planetary. They are supported on PHD guiding software on a Mac, have to check about the newer USB ones on Windows.
People use web cams for guiding and for planetary so even a basic webcam with the right stacking software (registax et al) would be a start.
I used this guide scope combo for ages and still have it. It's a great guide scope and also not too bad for wide angle imaging- if the focuser will hold your camera!!
Depends all on budget, aspirations, interest and futureproofing!
Welcome anyway
Graham

[asimov (John)]

My recommendation would be, if you wanted to go mono RGB filter imaging, you'd go the http://www.zwoptical.com/eng/Cameras/ASI120/index.asp

I've not seen enough results using the colour version, therefore the Imaging Source DBK618 or the DFK618 might be the go.

The biggest problem is working out which system to go with & your local overall conditions will decide this for you..3X the work with the mono/RGB filter route & added expense.

[aarong (Aaron)]

Thanks guys. There are some great astrophotographers on Iceinspace and I'm happy to learn all I can. I'm interested in deep space and planetary work. For the time been I'll stick with my DSLR for deep space, but if I'm going to get a guidecam, then something that can give nice results for planetary work would be nice.

I'm interested in getting a guide and planetary cam that will last me sometime. I'm open to suggestions and prices as a result (maybe up to $500-600). I would like something fairly straight forward to use, so was leaning towards colour, however if mono is a lot better (with filters etc), then I'm open to suggestions either way.

How does the QHY-5LII guide and planetary cams compare to those already mentioned?

Any recommendations on where to buy these cameras from? I know Bintel has some Imaging Source range and like going there for their good advice.

Also for guiding, I think I need this http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx. Is this correct for the LX-90? How does it compare to a 909 clone?

I'm tempted by this for the guidescope http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx. after your feedback.

Thanks again,
aarong