Best telescope for Imaging?

NasaNerd (James) · #1 02-06-2010, 05:43 PM

Hi there

I am new to the astronomy game and much to my displeasure i bought a DSE 127mm star tracker just to find that everywhere i read no one seemed to like it! So its still with in it 14 returns policy, what telescope with in $300-400 is good for imaging the night sky with an ESO 50D camera?

renormalised (Carl) · #2 02-06-2010, 06:08 PM

If you can pick up a SW ED80 second hand for that price, you'll be smiling. However, it's not the scope that's going to limit you. You'll need a good, sturdy mount to stick it on, and I wouldn't go any smaller than an HEQ5 Pro (or an EQ5 Pro with goto, at the very least). Try to skimp on the mount and you can forget about taking piccies worth the effort. That means, unless you can pick up one of these second hand as well, you're looking at $1099 for the HEQ5 or if your budget can't stretch that far, the EQ5 Pro for $899...at Andrews.

The ED80 scope will allow you to take great widefield pics of objects like M42 (Orion Nebula), the Eta Carina Nebula and other large objects.

You'll also need the a T ring adapter specific for your camera, spacers, extension tubes and such to allow you to bring the camera and scope into proper focus.

It eventually adds up. Astrophotography can rapidly become quite expensive.

renormalised (Carl) · #3 02-06-2010, 06:23 PM

If you have a digital "point and shoot" like any of the cameras you see advertised, you can get away with taking happy snaps of the moon, planets and brighter DSO's (deep sky objects) by just having a medium sized reflector (6-8") on a dobsonian (alt-az) mount and using a digiscope adapter to attach your camera to the scope. Brand new scope will set you back between $350 to $600 for a 6"-8" scope, second hand quite a bit cheaper. New scopes...try Andrews or Bintel or My Astroshop.

Good second hand stuff, try the IIS Classifieds.

NasaNerd (James) · #4 02-06-2010, 06:58 PM

I was having a look online at those sites that you suggested and I have found a few that are in my price range. I was wondering which one would be better for astrophotography:

The: Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ for $269
Skywatcher 6" Dobsonian for $400
Bintel BT-114EQ Deluxe Telescope for $379

now im sure that I could probably get a better price on one of these, but astrophotography wise and planets nebula and galixy wise, which one would be better?

renormalised (Carl) · #5 02-06-2010, 10:56 PM

If you're going to be taking piccies of planets and such with those scopes, go with the 6" dob. The others will be next to useless. You'll get a lot more use out of the dob, both visually and for piccies. But, as I mentioned earlier, it will only be good for planets, the moon, and some of the relatively bright DSO's. Most galaxies and nebs will be outside of its capabilities. Not because you can't see them through your scope, but the mount is not the right type of mount to track those objects for the time it takes to be able to snap the pics.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #6 03-06-2010, 07:50 AM

Hi James,
Welcome to IIS.
Really and truly, you should pay a visit to your nearest Astronomy club and check out what others are using. Nothing beats getting a little experience under your belt before splashing out the cash.

acropolite (Phil) · #7 03-06-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

The: Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ for $269
Skywatcher 6" Dobsonian for $400
Bintel BT-114EQ Deluxe Telescope for $379

now im sure that I could probably get a better price on one of these, but astrophotography wise and planets nebula and galixy wise, which one would be better?

James, I fear the message isn't getting through here.

Astrophotography is an expensive exercise. To get good images your equipment has to track the stars in an accurate manner.

As Carl said you need a decent mount, usually a German Equatorial Mount, which will allow accurate tracking and alignment of your equipment as the night sky rotates.

You can do limited planetary and lunar photography without a mount using suitable webcams.

If you do a search thorugh the articles in the forum you should find some info on Astrophotography with a dob, that will give you some idea what you can expect with minimal equipment.

If you're looking at replicating some of the deep sky images you are seeing on IIS, then the sky's your limit for budget and to get the best results you need either a dedicated astro camera or a modified DSLR (the internal infra red blocking filter is replaced in your SLR) expect a starting budget of at least $2000 (without camera) plus for entry level deep sky imaging.

Suzy · #8 03-06-2010, 10:00 AM

This thread is a really interesting read - very informative for the beginner that wants to start with something basic to do happy snaps.

.
I think I'd like to get one of those digiscope adaptors myself

.

mldee (Mike) · #9 03-06-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

James, I fear the message isn't getting through here.

Astrophotography is an expensive exercise. To get good images your equipment has to track the stars in an accurate manner.

As Carl said you need a decent mount, usually a German Equatorial Mount, which will allow accurate tracking and alignment of your equipment as the night sky rotates.

You can do limited planetary and lunar photography without a mount using suitable webcams.

If you do a search thorugh the articles in the forum you should find some info on Astrophotography with a dob, that will give you some idea what you can expect with minimal equipment.

If you're looking at replicating some of the deep sky images you are seeing on IIS, then the sky's your limit for budget and to get the best results you need either a dedicated astro camera or a modified DSLR (the internal infra red blocking filter is replaced in your SLR) expect a starting budget of at least $2000 (without camera) plus for entry level deep sky imaging.

I disagree that you must have a modded DSLR. I was always more than satisfied with the entry-level photos taken by my unmodified Canon 1000d. Modding just makes things easier and better, for a price. Same for the mount. A goto EQ5, new or used, is a reasonable entry-level mount. A search and wanted ad in IIS may turn up some.

Same for a ED80 scope or such. There's also a lot of very satisfying wider-field imaging that can be done with older used 50 and 135mm camera lenses, some of which, such as Pentax and Canon, are of very good optical quality and are easily available on Ebay at very low prices.

It's all comes down to how much one's willing to search around and to read the IIS posts. Advising newcomers to "only buy new and only the best" is doing them a disservice in my books.

It's only a hobby after all, and what's more important is to ensure they don't waste whatever money they do have.

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #10 04-06-2010, 12:03 AM

start with the mount.
start with the mount.
start with the mount.
start with the mount.

can i say it again?

start with the mount.

why? because without it you might as well just hold it in your hands and try for a 2 min shot

one more time?

batema (Mark) · #11 04-06-2010, 04:32 AM

James,

Buy a copy of this months Australian Sky and Telescope and have a read of the articles on Photography. They discuss from the most basic form to advance and as JJJ said get yourself to a local star party or astronomy club meeting before you start spending your money.

Mark

Logieberra (Logan) · #12 16-06-2010, 09:00 PM

I also agree that a modded is not essential. I have one of the smallest and cheapest DSLR's on the market, the Nikon D40, and I think that she's a great bit of kit!

If you're after gear I would hold out for used stuff in the classifides. I have been soooo pleased with the sellers on here, along with the prices! This forum has some great members, so don't hessitate to drop your $$$ in the used market.

allan gould · #13 18-06-2010, 09:07 AM

The problem with getting a low priced option for astrophotography is that it doesn't really work. You may get some shots of the moon etc that your pleased with but if the bug bites you are in for serious cash.
You can't go racing in a Hyundai against a Ferrari. You could but you would be last all the time and get frustrated.
Join a club and see what equipment they use. Make a list and slowly accumulate it as they sell off various items you want.
Remember the cheap stuff you buy initially will be a waste of money as you will want to replace it quickly as you find it doesn't really do the job.
Join a club and find an astrophotography mentor.

Jen · #14 20-06-2010, 11:26 PM

Dam it Allan is that where im going wrong i own a Hyundai

stephenb (Stephen) · #15 21-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Hi James and welcome,

Sorry that many, if not all of the reply posts may have put a dent in your enthusiam to get into astrophotography, but every one is quite correct. AP can be as simple (and inexpensive), or complex (and expensive) as you want to make it, BUT in the end decent equipment including a good mount/drive system is desirable. You're not going to get away with a good setup well under $1500-2000. If you try to do so, you need to understand that you're going to spend many frustrating hours in the dark perfecting your technique than you would with a better setup. In the end you'll regret skimping of equipment, let me guarentee you.

My blunt advice, if I were you?

1. Forget the AP bug, honestly, just drop it for now.

2. Get out to and meet up with an astronomy group in your area.

3. Either get yourself a decent pair of binooculars or....

4. save up a bit more $$ and buy a 6" or 8" Dobsonian from Andrews (8" for $499) or BinTel (8" for $549)

5. Enjoy and learn the night sky visually. There is nothing better mate.

lacad01 (Adam) · #16 21-06-2010, 03:42 PM

To add my 2c worth, the right gear is only part of the story. There's also the post processing side of things as well. Many hours can be spent on this alone. Don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, maybe have a crack at widefield imaging first with your camera (on tripod), have a go at processing and take it in steps. At least that way you may save yourself $$$ if AP ends up being too frustrating

Bassnut (Fred) · #17 21-06-2010, 05:25 PM

Put your 50D on a S/H EQ5 with its stock lens or a zoom and learn Photoshop, really well.

If you cant afford $1k odd for an EQ5, forget it.

rcheshire (Rowland) · #18 21-06-2010, 07:09 PM

Hi James. I've reconsidered your question and suggest that Jerry Lodriguss - you can find him on-line - provides some very practical advice for beginners.

I started a few years ago with a compact camera mounted on a barn door drive fixed to a workbench facing a window that gave me views to the west and north west. Then I progressed to a tripod and more recently a telescope and GEM.

The images I've taken to date, are not spectacular, not even very interesting, but in the process I learned useful concepts, basic to AP - and worked out how to polar align with live view with no pole in sight.

A tripod, camera and lens is a good starting point. Maybe a barn door mount. Work on the basics. Jerry Lodriguss provides easy to follow beginner tutorials on-line.

This was a good starting point for me. No huge outlay, or buying equipment that disappoints and puts a hole in your pocket. If you decide you really like AP, the cost of good equipment is justified.

Hope this helps.

Rowland.