Nexstar 5 or 6 for newby?

[TV John]

Hi All
I'm new on this block and have to say great forum. Spent some time in the Solar Photography section which has made me even keener to get started.

My background is an interest in astronomy as a kid with a 60mm refractor and more recent hobbies of 35mm photography, digital graphics and general computer geekiness. I live in a dark part of SW WA and will be moving to an equally dark location south of Hobart Tas at the end of the year. I wish to get into astrophotography since this combines my other hobbies to a degree.

For portability (we go camping) and simplicity? since I am a beginner I have all but decided on a Nextsar 5 SE but you are welcome to talk me out of it if you think there are better options. My question is this. I can stretch my budjet to its limit and go for a Nextsar 6 SE but will I gain much in the end product ie the photo. If I go for the 5" the difference in price more than covers a CCD and software.

Thanks in advance

John

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi John.

to the forum! Glad to have you heer.

Any reason you're set on a nexstar?
What area of astrophotography interests you most? Solar system objects, or deepsky objects? The equipment and cameras required for each are significantly different.

[TV John]

Hi Iceman

Not necessarily stuck on a Nexstar, just thinking about portability and ease to find objects. At this stage thinking of Solar objects for photography. I guess size is not a major issue within reason as we will have a caravan for the camping trips.

Also figured ccd imaging to the laptop the way to go since I already have a near top of the range laptop and a DSLR is not in the budget. Anyway any suggestions would be helpful - budget is up to $2000 (purseholder thinking 1600 but should be able to push that envelope a bit since she got the caravan she wanted! ).

Cheers

John

[TV John]

Hi all

Spent some time reading the posts and articles on this site. I think I have got the picture. Here is a summary of what I have gained on reading info on this site.

• first and formost get a Dob
• secondly get a Dob
• thirdly and most importantly get a...

OK so I have gone beyond these posts and looked into astrophotography which is my interest yet I still wish to be able to gasp when looking thru the viewfinder. I have read the article about the difficulties of photography via a Dob and articles on aligning mirrors and making sure everything is at the right temperature. And then there's the EQ mount/tripod that costs two times the OTA or more, who knew.

So out of all of the above where do I end up. I have come to the conclusion that the end result (on my retina or ccd) is about optics or how much light I can funnel down the tube and probably more importantly what I am capable of doing with it once it's there. So I need to know about all the different eyepieces and who was Barlow anyway. It's all about optics and appetures and a whole new learning curve that a GoTo type scope may actually impede. So there it is.

I've done the research and the scope to get is:

• thirdly and most importantly get a...

You already know the answer.

Cheers

John

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi John.

The dobs are great for visual use but it depends if your main interest in photography. An 8" or 10" SCT on a fork mount can serve dual purpose as visual and photographic.

[Karls48 (Karl)]

From my past experiences travelling in Outback I would not recommend any kind of Newtonian scope. Bulldust will get on the mirror and you will have to clean it often. Also collimation maybe problem after bumpy trip.

[rhisaac]

Originally Posted by TV John

Hi Iceman

Not necessarily stuck on a Nexstar, just thinking about portability and ease to find objects. At this stage thinking of Solar objects for photography. I guess size is not a major issue within reason as we will have a caravan for the camping trips.

Also figured ccd imaging to the laptop the way to go since I already have a near top of the range laptop and a DSLR is not in the budget. Anyway any suggestions would be helpful - budget is up to $2000 (purseholder thinking 1600 but should be able to push that envelope a bit since she got the caravan she wanted! ).

Cheers

John

Hi, yes I've been thinking the same - intially a nexstar 4 - but really thinking about the 5 or 6 now. I think Dobs are great but doesn't help me in regard to taking some pics. Anyone out there with any further input - please pass on ... I'm really new to all this and was even thinking of a good Skywatcher mak 127 model - but really need a goto function. Thanks all.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Hi John
I just moved over here from Bunbury in November so know the area well. Agree a newtonian is not really a travellers instrument. I carried my 60mm refractor all over the Murchison area for about 10 years in a ute over some extremely bumpy roads and it never gave a problem. The 114mm newtonian I used to have lasted one trip. If you want to meet up with some other astronomy enthusiasts over there, contact Phil Smith (97211586) at the Astronomical Society of The South West in Bunbury, they have a nice little observatory behind College Grove on the Busselton Highway. You will be made welcome and meet some nice folks. (The observatory has a 20" reflector, nice views on a dark night) They also have weekends at Wellington Mill for dark sky observing.

Glenhuon

[Greenswale (Wren)]

Gidday John,

I have meandered a similar path to the one that you are navigating, and today purchased a Nexstar 6. And what a surprise, the clouds are gathering!!!

Next week will see me on a trip to central Australia, where the telescope will get a workout. I will provide a report when I return, but you can expect a bit of 'Gasp, wow, struth.....!!!'