Another equipment recommendation thread (AP)

Chif (Andrew) · #1 03-05-2015, 08:02 PM

Good evening all,

Some of you may remember me being here a couple of years ago. I had a 10" dobsonian and unfortunately had to sell it. The selling of that scope has left a huge void and I am now luckily in a position to get back into the game.

I'd like to swing more toward the astrophotography side of things, and am probably more keen on photographing planets than deep space.

I just have a few questions to get me on the right track.

When I had my dob, I attached a dslr straight to the scope and could take pictures of the planets, however they were very small, so I couldn't get the details I'm after. How is it that people get the large pictures with what seem to be smaller scopes?

Can you still do any decent viewing with an AP setup?

Where should I begin equipment wise? I'd love to keep the price under a couple of grand, but can go over if I space out my purchases.

Sorry if I'm asking the same questions as others, I've had a bit of a look around but can't find anything definitive.

Thanks so much guys!

Oh, also, are there any star parties etc set in Adelaide or surrounding areas sometime soon?

raymo · #2 03-05-2015, 08:31 PM

Hi Andrew, The majority of planetary AP is done with webcams and
barlow lenses which give a decent image scale, and/or long focal length scopes such as SCTs and Maks.
Good AP gear will mostly [not always] be fine for visual.
A great rig suitable for both would be an SW HEQ5 Pro Go To mount
with an 8" [200mm] f/5 Newtonian], SW Newts allow prime focus photography, many brands don't.If you were looking at something larger further down the track you would need a larger mount, and deep pockets.
The above gear new would be slightly over your budget, but used ones come up on IIS at just over half your budget, leaving room for all the
other gadgets that you'll find that you need.
A very popular AP scope is the SW ED80 refractor, but it's small aperture is a bit limiting for anything approaching serious visual work.
raymo

Chif (Andrew) · #3 03-05-2015, 10:08 PM

Thanks Raymo

I definitely think second hand is the way to go. I'll keep an eye out for those components and read up on them a bit. Cheers.

JaseD (Jase) · #4 05-05-2015, 11:47 PM

I am in the process of getting a Quattro 8 inch f/4 (skywatchers) from Ian at nightskysecrets (www.nightskysecrets.com.au) at a reasonable price. Give him a call and speak to him.

I'll be sticking it on a heq5 goto mount.

Cheers
J.

rustigsmed (Russell) · #5 06-05-2015, 02:26 PM

If it were me and I was after planetary images, I would go back to a big goto/ tracking dob. (as big as you can afford and can handle).

I would also get a 5x televue powermate or similar (increase image scale).

after that consider a ZWO 120mm (mono and filter wheels) imaging camera.

you of course will be over budget but if you can stagger then that is a bonus. potentially you could start with a non goto dob and upgrade it to goto (through an upgrade kit) later on.

edit: if you are heading into NSW this could save you some money http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=134452

Chif (Andrew) · #6 06-05-2015, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the input Russel.

I think eventually I'd like to get a nice big goto dob that I can set up for specific planetary imaging, and that camera looks interesting! The Mrs. has had her input and would rather I go for something that can do deep space as well.

If I do go for an HEQ5 mount, am I able to put a 10" scope on it? Or am I better off with an 8" anyway? (I've forgotten all I learned about focal length, speed etc, so should probably do a little homework!)

Also, would the camera Russel mentioned work for deep space as well?

Thanks again guys.

rustigsmed (Russell) · #7 06-05-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chif

Thanks for the input Russel.

I think eventually I'd like to get a nice big goto dob that I can set up for specific planetary imaging, and that camera looks interesting! The Mrs. has had her input and would rather I go for something that can do deep space as well.

If I do go for an HEQ5 mount, am I able to put a 10" scope on it? Or am I better off with an 8" anyway? (I've forgotten all I learned about focal length, speed etc, so should probably do a little homework!)

Also, would the camera Russel mentioned work for deep space as well?

Thanks again guys.

No worries Andrew

I don't think you will get a 10" on a HEQ5, (happy to be proven wrong by someone who would know better) you would on an NEQ6, i have even seen 12" on NEQ6 but these were perfectly balanced in no wind.

i think it is possible to do deep sky imaging with that camera but probably not ideal its really meant for planetary - and it excels at it. you could have the specialist planetary camera then perhaps grab an old second hand canon for a couple hundred. if you wanted a two in one, i'd suggest the canon 550d its got good video capabilities and can be used for deep sky.

another thing to consider if you're not really doing too much deep sky you can still nab the brighter objects on the goto dob for example here is the eagle neb i took on my 12 goto https://www.flickr.com/photos/803366...ream/lightbox/
centaurus a
https://www.flickr.com/photos/803366...ream/lightbox/

i think they were from 20 sec subs at iso 3200.

of course it is tough to get the big aperture planetary scope and deep sky combo on a budget due to the mount constraints. so as you say maybe get a small rigg for deep sky and go for a separate large dob later.

raymo · #8 06-05-2015, 10:02 PM

Russell can tell you about the camera, but I can say that the HEQ5 will
just handle a 10" f/4 Newt for visual, but few imagers would
recommend that set up for imaging. The 8" is a great all round scope, and to upgrade to an NEQ6 or similar, and a 10" scope, would involve a
considerably larger financial outlay. Also, if it is of any importance to
you, it would be a pretty heavy rig to set up and dismantle every time
you use it. If you can leave it set up, then obviously that wouldn't matter as much.
raymo

Chif (Andrew) · #9 06-05-2015, 10:45 PM

Cheers Raymo. I imagine that because the scope can move, longer camera exposures will almost make up for that loss in apeture anyway, is that right?

Regardless, I think thats a good way for me to go

raymo · #10 06-05-2015, 11:34 PM

Astrophotography almost never utilises single exposures. Almost all images are the result of stacking anything from a few to several hundred frames. The larger the scope, the shorter the exposures can be, and the better the resolution will be. The difference in resolution between an 8" and a 10" would not be noticeable unless the image was to be greatly enlarged, which most are not.
raymo

Chif (Andrew) · #11 07-05-2015, 09:38 AM

I see, thanks again

.

How is it that you obtain more detail by stacking less exposed pictures? I would have thought you'd just be stacking essentially the same details over and over which wouldn't result in getting anything else in the image.

Sorry if I'm asking too much or am being lazy by not researching myself.