Considering Astrophotography

Grich (Gareth) · #1 17-02-2009, 04:17 PM

I have done some basic astrophotography like star trails and all that. Recently I have used a web cam in the telecope to take photos of the moon.
To start off I want to take long exposures of the stars without the trailing, I know I need slow motion controls etc for it but I'm still in the dark about it all.
Is there any equipment, resources or books anyone could recommend on the subject. Something easy for me to start off with

iceman (Mike) · #2 17-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Hi Gareth

What telescope and mount do you have?

What camera to you have?

Grich (Gareth) · #3 17-02-2009, 08:56 PM

I have an Equatorial Mounted 2-inch Newtonian (Not motorised) and two SLRs (analogue - old school

). I know I would need some sort of motorised mount.

I want to get a new telescope soon and I want one that would aid astrophotography as well as for observation.

I would prefer to stick with film rather than digital technology for the time being, I'm sure I'll change my mind later on though (I like the look of film rather than digital).

renormalised (Carl) · #4 17-02-2009, 10:22 PM

You need to see the results of good digital images

How much are you willing to fork out for a reasonably good bit of kit??

Once we know that, it'll be easier to advise you on what you can, or may, get to do the job you want.

Grich (Gareth) · #5 17-02-2009, 10:50 PM

I was considering $1000 but I can stretch it to $3000 or so.

I have also done some research on books on the subject, I thought a book might be the best place to start as well.

renormalised (Carl) · #6 17-02-2009, 11:12 PM

Well, for $1000, you can get an OTA (optical tube assembly) but not much else. Like a Skywatcher ED80 Apo refractor for $699 at Andrews. However, for $3000, you can pick out quite a few telescope packages that will suit you for what you want. If you're looking at refractors, then a Skywatcher Pro ED100 Apo with all the goodies (HEQ5 mount etc etc) will set you back $2499. The smaller 80mm model is $2199.

If you're looking at a newtonian reflector, a SW200 (8") with EQ6Pro mount and Synscan is worth $2399. The SW252 (10") with same mount and controller is $2499.

For a SCT or Mak/Mak-Newt, then your choices are limited to the smaller sizes. A Celestron 8" SGT on a CG5 mount (better to get one a bit more robust for piccies) is $2999 at Bintel. The 6" model is $2499. Meade LX90 and LX200 scopes are out of your price league, unfortunately. As are most of the Celestrons. At Andrews, you could get the SW 150mm Mak for $2399, complete. Or the SW ProMak 180mm for $2799, complete.

Andrews, very shortly, are bringing out the new SW (a.k.a Orion, a.k.a Synta etc etc) 190mm Mak-Newt which apart from being good visually, is also an excellent photographic scope by all accounts. Don't know the price yet, but look in the $2500-$3000 mark.

Hope that has helped

Grich (Gareth) · #7 17-02-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

Hope that has helped

That really helped ... thanks!

iceman (Mike) · #8 18-02-2009, 05:06 AM

Sticking with film is a big call. Digital just makes it so much easier to be able to check the work as you're going along. You can even download it to your laptop right away and check for focus, check the exposure, check the noise, etc.

If I had $3000 and was just starting in astrophotography, i'd probably get:

1. EQ6
2. ED80
3. Canon 350D

Though with the exchange rate at the moment, $3k may not be enough.

montewilson (Monte) · #9 18-02-2009, 05:38 AM

Get the biggest/best mount you can afford at the start. Everything else will follow and you can and will chop and change cameras and scopes many times.

An average mount and a great scope will always give an average result.

A great mount and an average scope will often give great results.

Grich (Gareth) · #10 18-02-2009, 08:19 AM

So, this is my plan: I'm going to get a mount of some sort (probably go to a dealer). I'll stick with film for the time being as I wont go into taking photos in the Eyepiece right now, just sky shots of constellations and all that, kind of like what I was doing before.

Grich (Gareth) · #11 18-02-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grich

I'll stick with film for the time being as I wont go into taking photos in the Eyepiece right now ...

I don't want to invest in a digital camera right now until I'm absolutely sure that I want to do it further.

leon · #12 18-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Garath, as Monte has said the mount is your prime piece of equipment, the more robust and sturdy, the better.

Although it may take most of your cash, you will not regret it, and as mentioned a 3000.00 dollar scope is useless on a 200 dollar mount, but a 200.00 dollar scope on a 3000.00 mount is brilliant.

Leon

renormalised (Carl) · #13 18-02-2009, 10:37 PM

That's why I'd be inclined to swap out the HEQ5 mount in those packages I mentioned and substitute in an EQ6Pro. Nothing wrong with the HEQ5, just that it's a little light on....you'd tax it after adding extras to the scope.

Grich (Gareth) · #14 18-02-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

Garath, as Monte has said the mount is your prime piece of equipment, the more robust and sturdy, the better.

I realise it would be expensive, but I think it would be a great investment for myself. I'll have to trek to BinTel in the next few weeks or so to see what they have.
The only thing I'm not looking forward to is polar alignment!

Practice makes perfect I guess.

desler · #15 19-02-2009, 12:19 AM

Just interested why you listed the 350D as the start off camera.

I've been looking at the 450D with live view as I contemplate entering this money pit. I've already got the eq6pro, ed 80 and a currently unmodded gso 8 inch tube ( which I imagine will have to be shortened or modified to achieve focus)

I still have a 12 inch dob for visuals and also haven't acquired the laptop just yet, but slowly slowly as the bank balance fluctuates!

Darren

renormalised (Carl) · #16 19-02-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

bank balance fluctuates!

That heads south faster than a duck after eating a whole paddock full of peas!!!

cfranks (Charles) · #17 19-02-2009, 08:14 AM

For those contemplating joining the Astrophotography fraternity, a word of caution. The number of photons in the universe is basically fixed and with the massive increase in the number of people, automated telescopes and satellites taking pictures, millions more than 100 years ago, we are in danger of running out. Global Dimming becomes a real threat! Exposure times are getting longer as we have to go further out to get photons created billions of years ago, we are resorting to exotic filters to get different coloured photons that had been ignored until recently and spending longer and longer hours with Photoshop to discover fewer and fewer photons. Tell your Local Politician that unless we do something, Global Dimming will eventually happen.

Charles

iceman (Mike) · #18 19-02-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desler

Just interested why you listed the 350D as the start off camera.

I've been looking at the 450D with live view as I contemplate entering this money pit. I've already got the eq6pro, ed 80 and a currently unmodded gso 8 inch tube ( which I imagine will have to be shortened or modified to achieve focus)

I still have a 12 inch dob for visuals and also haven't acquired the laptop just yet, but slowly slowly as the bank balance fluctuates!

Darren

Hi Darren. A 450D would be just as good. The more megapixels would be handy. In fact a 40D or 50D or 5D mark II would be even better

The 350D is a great performer though, well proven and lower cost.

damo_Melbourne (Damian) · #19 19-02-2009, 10:09 AM

I've just been down this path with a $3000 budget and after a heap of research and lots of good input from the kind folks here, I ended up with the Heq5pro and ED80 from Andrews ( with case) and a 450D all up $3200.

Now I realise what I am going to say my be deemed heresy here but ...

For me Im so glad I got the heq5 pro and not the Heq6 pro - an important piece of advice I heard time and time again is that the best scope is the one you will use the most often. For me I will be often lugging my gear to a dark site and the heq5pro breaks down beautifully and the mount head is a terrific size which sits nicely on the floor behind the front seat - unlike the eq6 which is enormous. A dodgy disc in my back was also a big big factor

The eq6 is big and heavy! so makeh sure you get into Bintel and check them out or visit someone with one and have a chat. I changed my mind from being convinced on the eq6 initially. Now if I was always going to use the mount in the one spot with occassional trips then the eq6 would win hands down. Bear in mind it is $500 dearer.

Others I spoke with were happy to lug the bigger mount around - personal preference I guess and how quick you think you may outgrow a heq5pro with mounting large/heavy OTA's and all the add ons

I love my new setup and will be posting some images soon!
cheers and good luck with your decision. Enjoy the journey I am.

Damian

desler · #20 20-02-2009, 09:50 AM

Damo adds an interesting point the the EQ6Pro is heavy. Oddly enough I don't find it as cumbersome as I did with my 12 inch dob, before I got the trolly.

Although the learning curve seems very steep, I am at the very beginning and advice comes from all parties and different places. Get what you can afford, comfortably lug around and have fun!

There is nothing quite as exiting as seeing something new in the eyepiece! especially after searching for a while through light polluted skies.

Now all I need to do is learn how to take a photo of the things I see.......

Darren