What to buy next?

[VS6000 (Tim)]

Hey guys, I've been happy with what I'm getting so far with a dslr (D810) and 300 f/4 but am starting to want more, as always!

Using a SW star adventurer atm, getting good tracking (about 90% subs are good) at 30 seconds, and about 50-60% at 1 min, would getting an autoguider such as this: SW Synguider, improve my set up much?
http://ca.skywatcher.com/_english/03...il.php?sid=178
I'd need a scope for it too I guess.
Think I could still squeeze more out of it too, polar alignment could still be closer I feel, it's hard in the southern hemi!

Is this the next best way to go to get more detail and get fainter targets that require more exposure? Or am I on a dead road and really should invest in a better mount and astro modded camera with a telescope?

Here's my latest shot with my set up, I'd love to get more detail in the horsehead, possibly a lot closer too, or would a telescope on my current camera and mount (possibly with the autoguider) be a better choice?
https://www.facebook.com/timgardphot...type=3&theater

Thanks!

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Hi Tim, awesome pic for a very simple setup for sure although I am a bit puzzled by the artefact around Alnitak, looks like a weird smiley face.

Not sure how guiding works on the Star Adventurer or what's weight limits are but I guess your next step up is to increase magnification to get closer detail and that means another lens\scope option. Would an ED80 be possible on the SA ? It would probably mean longer exposures and requiring guiding.
To go much further up I suspect it's start again with a bigger mount and more equipment. ( Read 'Expense' )
And it depends of course on what you want to do long term. Astro-imaging gets expensive real quick if you get serious about it. That being said you have made a damn good start to heading in that direction.

Up to you, plenty of advice and help on here.

[VS6000 (Tim)]

Thanks very much! I think the autoguiding on the SA is only in one axis, which some people say is a problem, I'm not sure though.
It will hold about 5kg too, so not really a hell of a lot above a big slr and lens when you want to be comfortable.

I'm not sure about that weird artifact either, it looked good in my subs but when stacked and stretched/edited, it just happened and I couldn't really mask it out.... I'm a rank newbie at all this though, so no doubt I'll learn eventually!

I kind of suspected I might have to start from scratch again to get more serious, may have to start looking out for some used goods!