Use Canon M6 or sell and upgrade to M50

[rthorntn (Richard)]

Hello you very helpful people,

I want to use my Explore Scientific AR102 102mm Telescope and EQ6 for beginner astrophotography.

I got a Canon M6 not that long ago, around Christmas time, it's basically unused, I found out after that it's not supported by the Canon SDK (my initial reasoning was the light weight of it would be good for the AR102, and I could use it for night sky photos with the 22mm).

I'm a complete nerd and so I was wanting to have SDK support to se software.

Although the M6 does have Wi-Fi (could probably acquire the images that way?) and a remote shutter (so add a DSUSB?) so I was wondering if I could cobble a solution together but I'm a beginner so don't completely understand how big of a deal the SDK support is?

The new M50 is showing as having SDK support so maybe I just cut my losses and sell the M6?

I'm invested in the Canon interchangeable lens ecosystem, I also have a 6D but figure that would be too heavy for the AR102?

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Richard

[doppler (Rick)]

I would try the 6D first, get a copy of Backyard EOS to automate things a bit (assuming you have a laptop to use). I don't think the weight of the 6D would be an issue with that scope, however it is an achromat scope so you will get some blue halos around brighter object.

If you are going to buy a camera for astrophotography you would be better off buying a cooled dedicated astro cam like the zwo 1600mc.

Best to use what you got first, there's plenty of stuff you will want to buy if the bug bites.

[rthorntn (Richard)]

Thanks Rick, great advice.

What is the best way for me to physically attach the 6D to the AR102?

I might look at Mac software, AstroDSLR looks OK.

Should I look at linking my computer to the EQ6 also?

Do I need to mess about with auto-guiding or anything like that initially?

As I said, absolute beginner at astrophotography.

My astronomy stuff has been gathering dust for years, last time I used it was for planetary visual with my Meade 10" SCT.

Thanks again.

Richard

[doppler (Rick)]

Hi Richard, to start with you will need a t ring and and adapter https://www.bintel.com.au/product/t-rings-dslrs/ , you can get cheaper ones via ebay if you have budget constraints. Then all you need is a remote switch to reduce vibrations. As for camera software it's a matter of personal preference they all do basically the same thing.

With careful polar alignment you can get away with tracking only to start with. I find that computer control of the camera makes everything much easier, once you get the basics sorted you can advance to guiding if you want but with the new sensitive camera's available guiding is not as important as it once was.

You can link control of your mount to the laptop, but I have found that with an extension cable for my handset I can use the GOTO from the comfort of my table, chair and laptop. I have the HEQ5 pro so my cable is just a long cat5 network cable, but I think you can get an extension for the EQ6.

[rthorntn (Richard)]

Thanks!