$4.5K - $5k to burn

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Hi guys,

looking at getting an imaging setup going, changing jobs with some good leave payout coming up.

i've currently got a 12" goto SW dob.

Looking at getting an imaging setup going. Unfortunately, i haven't a dedicated area or have the potential for an observatory, otherwise i'd be think EQ8 with my 12"

Interested to hear what people would get with around $5k.

thinking something along the lines of ...

Mount- NEQ6
Guiding - Lodestar camera/ OAG
Scope - SW ED 120 / 8" newt / 6" mak

I have a DSLR modded already. but maybe if i get the newt, i could get a better camera...



Russ

[Octane (Humayun)]

Buy Zane's FSQ-106ED advertised at the moment, and, then everything else will flow through in time.

Or, buy a Losmandy G-11 and then save for a scope.

The mount is your most important purchase. It dictates what you will be able to put on it now, as well as later.

H

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I'd go with the refractor.
It's got a good wide field view of the cosmos.
Have you considered an RC8 or RC10?

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I'd buy the refractor if I could afford it, great for imaging. Get a focal reducer and it's an awesome widefield scope. Will go on an EQ6 easily too...

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

thanks guys,

H, as for the G11, i am assumming you mean the G11 G?
http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tr...oductview.aspx

hmmm, its quite a bit more than the NEQ6 but I think i read its super quick to set up, and generally more accurate. ease of setup is pretty important to me - as i'll have to carry. but then again its almost the same $ as the new EQ8 with 50kg carrying capacity.

A for the FSQ-106ED ... drool! but yes i'm more concerned with the mount than the optics at this stage but am unlikely to have spare money for quite a decade or so ...

I have considered the RC8/10 jjjnettie i'm unsure of its advantage over a newt with a baader MPCC ... although i could use my camera without its eos clip in UV/IR block and go full spectrum (as i won't need the coma corrector). hmmm!

i think i need to do some more research on the losmandy

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by Astroman

I'd buy the refractor if I could afford it, great for imaging. Get a focal reducer and it's an awesome widefield scope. Will go on an EQ6 easily too...

Hi Astroman (and jjjnettie) by 'the refractor' are you referring to Sky Watcher ED 120?

[Eggmoon (Geoff)]

You are all wrong... the best thing to do with that much spare cash would be to give it to me.....

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by Eggmoon

You are all wrong... the best thing to do with that much spare cash would be to give it to me.....

haha yes, and what would you get with it then Eggmoon?

[Eggmoon (Geoff)]

All the things I cant afford for my scope given the overheads that suck up my spare cash like a black hole. Autoguider... good CCD camera... filters... *sigh*

Overheads... like food and clothes for a wife and three daughters. Not to mention how much the puppy costs me....

They keep me poor.... but happy.