Photography with Alt-Azimuth?

[CarlJoseph (Carl)]

Hi folks,

I haven't visited here for a while but have spent some fun times with my basic 4.5" Newt. I've taken some photographs of the moon by simply holding the camera up to the lense. Now I'm ready to start something more serious, including buying a new and better scope.

I've seen a few of the Meade LX200 Classic's for sale here and elsewhere. They appear to be a good scope generally but I'm wondering how they would go for photography (planets and DSOs).

I know the Alt-Azimuth/fork mount isn't ideal of long exposure photography. Meade sell an "Ultrawedge". Can someone explain how this helps correct the rotation and what's the difference between a "wedge" and a "rotator"?

Thanks again,
Af.

P.S. I'm moving to Europe next year so a massive DOB or something like that wouldn't be ideal as I would like to take my equipment with me.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

A wedge inclines your Alt/Az mount so that it's azimuth axis becomes the equatorial or RA axis, so that it can be used like a GEM.

[CarlJoseph (Carl)]

Gotchya. Thanks for that rcheshire.

I've decided on a GEM mount anyway - the thought of dealing with yet more angles on a wedge made my head hurt!