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  #1  
Old 27-11-2011, 04:47 PM
eskimo
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Whickh would be better gear for Astrophotography?

Have a budget of 2-2.5k
Wanting to try my skills (in addition to viewing) at astrophography

Options for you guys to advise me on as to which would be better gear are as follows: (dont include my abilities in the equation..challenges i like)

Celestron Nextstar SE8 - I know a wedge will be needed and believe they are more fiddly to setup?

Celestron Advanced Series C8-SGT

Meade 8" SCT on the new LX80 dual AZ/EQ Mount from Bintel (not in oz as yet)

Skyview pro 80ed EQ APO Refractor with Go To Model 24713 from Sirius Optics

Ditto the 100 ED apo from Sirius

and also the Sirius 80ED EQ-G GoTo also from Sirius Optics

I am aware of that I most likely need to get tracking gear as well.

Any other gear you can recommend greatly appreciated?

Rick

Last edited by eskimo; 27-11-2011 at 04:48 PM. Reason: spelling
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  #2  
Old 27-11-2011, 08:22 PM
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graham.hobart (Graham stevens)
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astrophotography

You don't mention what camera you are going to use..
My opinion ( highly controversial probably)
Choose what you want to photograph, i.e planets, moon, or deep sky stuff first, then look at a rig to suit.

Mounts: Equatorial mounts are the go for longer exposure but are harder to set up. In this bracket I would add- EQ 6 mounts are cheaper, rock solid and will take heavier loads but they are like a muscle car, they need tuning, expect to be losing skin off hands and kicking the f****r before you are happy with it. People can make them sing like a Stradi but it takes work and dedication (See B.Mitchell's work).
I have one and have had issues with slews and dampness affecting the electronics- so much so that it stopped working for a while (it's stored outside with towels and covers but Tas is still a little too damp for it I think)
When it stopped working I invested in a CGEM mount, plus because I have limited horizons at home the all star align protocol on the hand set was an attractive feature. Obviously as soon as I made a payment for the CGEM my EQ 6 sparked back into life!
Anyway, back to the CGEM- not your work horse heavy lifter like the EQ 6 but with a small refractor on board I have never been happier.
My advice, (personal opinion warning) if you are interested in deep sky stuff (not really planets) then get a CGEM and a cheap 80mm refractor (W.optics/Orion/Skywatcher etc) doesn't matter really as the glass is pretty much the same, it's the focuser that's the difference.
Starting out you can get loads of deep sky mileage with a small scope and a CGEM.
Scopes:
Big scopes like the Meade SCT are lovely for visual but I have found (opinion again) that photography is difficult-re. I use a DSLR so it hangs off the back like a big bat, focusing with the tiny knob is hard, and in the usual alt az config you are limited by rotation. Would be interested to see how it performs on the new mount.
After spending too much on gear this past few years my shopping list would be....
CGEM
Short tube mini guider package from Bintel ( SSAG and modified scope)
Small refractor of any description- but the sell a kidney and buy a Moonlite focuser, not only you get a great focuser,you also get two dove tails brackets on the focuser so you can fit your guide scope and a finderscope/ laser finder.
Now you are ready to astro-photo -party!!
Welcome to the money pit!!
Graham
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  #3  
Old 27-11-2011, 10:25 PM
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rcheshire (Rowland)
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Frankly, I would first spend money on a damn good mount and bung a DSLR on it for the time being (if you have on) if the cost of a scope puts you over budget. Get a good scope later. There is no substitute for a reliable solid mount.
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  #4  
Old 28-11-2011, 08:40 AM
eskimo
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thanks Guy

Any other mounts than a CGEM?...Celestron CG 5 perhaps

or would the Skywatchers Pro Go To's from Bintel also be suitable?
eg the EQ5, HEQ5 or NEQ6?

Last edited by eskimo; 28-11-2011 at 08:51 AM.
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  #5  
Old 28-11-2011, 09:23 AM
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rcheshire (Rowland)
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http://tinyurl.com/7jpltk7

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...2/Main/4916353

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...1/Main/3832932

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/ioptron-s...ial-mount.html

Here is an alternative, just for comparison. Do lots of research.

Last edited by rcheshire; 28-11-2011 at 09:41 AM.
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  #6  
Old 29-11-2011, 03:26 PM
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NorthernLight (Max)
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Hi Eskimo,

when I was bewteen the NEQ6-Pro and the HEQ5-Pro the guys at Bintel told me to get the EQ6 and I think it was the right decission.

The weight isnīt really an issue. I am a normal guy, working in an office, donīt go to the gym and never had any issues moving the whole lot (tripod and mounthead without counterweights) out into the backyard and back after a tiring night.

The load capacity of around 17kg enables you to put more and heavier gear on as the HEQ5 would allow and with some improvement of the mount you can extend to even more (some guys load up to 25kg on it and still achieve decent accuracy).

The mount (same as with the HEQ5) is on the market for a pretty long time and sold under different brands. There are forums (EQmod-yahoo group) that focus entirely on the improvement of it. There is plenty of experience from other long time users and if you look around the profiles of some iceinspace members youīll notice that a lot of them have one.

The EQ6-Pro has been a workhorse for quite some time and it is probably the EQ mount with the highest payload capacity in its price range. It also is Ascom compatible and hence works with almost any planetarium software capable of controlling EQ mounts.

Iīve had mine for 2 years and it worked out of the box, never failed and I havenīt even yet explored all its capacities like PEC i.e.

The only issues I could see for you is the set up process (which is the same for all EQ mounts) as it becomes a drama if you have no free view to the south celestial pole. But there are ways around it.

As for your scope choice: the bigger the telescope (the more focal length I should say) the harder it becomes to avoid trailed stars in the final image. Visually Iīd say spend all your money on apperture and even borough from friends for another inch more. For AP and especially for the first AP experience ever it does not matter so much. With a DSLR and an ED80, you are likely to be pretty happy with a 2min unguided exposure provided you have pitch black skies. The ED80 is a good device. In my opinion, donīt even bother about the SW Black Diamond ED, take the SW ED80 instead. It safes you about $400 and is basically the same scope. Only differences are that you donīt get the aluminium case and that the focuser has no 10:1 facility. I image with an EOS 450D and usually focus with a Bhatinov mask - no dramas, always sharp. Heavier cameras may stress the focuser too much but that is something to consider when stepping up to the next level of AP, when the camera only will cost as much as all my current gear together.

Most important for astrophotography is a guide system consisting of an autoguider and some sort of a telescope which should be mounted in a way that it can be pointed at a star even though your imaging scope points at an area in the sky where there are no obvious stars. Without autoguider, the maximum exposure time is rather short and will be even shorter the longer the focal lenght of the telescope. Every mount produces errors and no polar alignment really is perfect. Long focal lenghts magnify this faster than short ones.
There is an interesting combo on the market that utilises an Orion autoguider and a finderscope-type guide scope.

I had a look at Bintels website and you schould be able to get a HEQ5-Pro, an ED80 plus the Miniautoguider package within your budget limits. However, you will need a camera too.

But perhaps you check out the classifieds here on iceinspace to save some bucks.


PS: I still image a lot through my 6" Newton and use the ED80 as a guide scope. But in case you look at a biggish Newton instead of the refractor: most of these Newtons need to be modified to achieve focus with a DSLR unless they are specific AP scopes and all Newtons technically require coma correctors (and perhaps field flatteners) to produce pleasing results off centre.

PPS: Be warned! Once you bought all your equipment and desperately want to try it all out: it will rain for weeks, not during the day but every night-at least it heavy clouds.
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  #7  
Old 29-11-2011, 06:17 PM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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HEQ5Pro, ED80, guide scope, guide cam, power supply and dew control.
This is a good basic set up that will keep you imaging for years.

Maybe pick up one of those cheap as chips 8" newts from Bintel or Andrews to satisfy the visual side of things.
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  #8  
Old 02-12-2011, 08:47 AM
eskimo
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Thanks for that advice Northernlight and jjjnettie

and i do have a dslr to use as the image taker

have made an offer for a SE8 (1K, owner says its mine at this stage) and am awaiting the outcome of that ..if it doesnt turn out I might have recovered from the pricing from Bintel for this stuff...NEQ6 Mount: $1,799
SWED80 w/Case: $999
Bintel 2” Camera Adapter: $39
Canon EOS T-ring: $35
Televue 2” 2x BIG Barlow: $209
Televue 10mm Delos: $339
Orion Mini-Autoguider Package: $419
SHIPPING: $56
TOTAL: $3845..ouch!!!
your right northernlight...I think my eyes are bigger than my wallet


tad higher than my 2.5k budget tho isnt it
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  #9  
Old 02-12-2011, 09:48 AM
Poita (Peter)
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Or from Andrews
HEQ5Pro $1199
LP Carbon Fibre ED80 Doublet - $599 (with case and crayford focuser)
GSO 2" ED Barlow $69
Explore Scientific 11mm eyepiece $120 (http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?...-719-723-15403)
Orion mini autoguider $420
Camera adapter & T-Ring $65
+Freight

Comes in at nearly exactly $2500
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  #10  
Old 02-12-2011, 11:13 AM
eskimo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poita View Post
Or from Andrews
HEQ5Pro $1199
LP Carbon Fibre ED80 Doublet - $599 (with case and crayford focuser)
GSO 2" ED Barlow $69
Explore Scientific 11mm eyepiece $120 (http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?...-719-723-15403)
Orion mini autoguider $420
Camera adapter & T-Ring $65
+Freight

Comes in at nearly exactly $2500

Thanks Poita...not knowing this gear very well I am at a disadvantage when it comes to salepersons advising what I want
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  #11  
Old 02-12-2011, 11:31 AM
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bmitchell82 (Brendan)
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Although the HEQ5 is alright, ide really be pushing you to a EQ6. If its brand new that you want to purchase then youll be paying that kind of money but eq6's come up from time to time

here is a guy selling the complete package, which includes virtually everything you need to kick off imaging bar the mount. Now if you are crafty, you can buy the whole lot sell off the other parts you don't want/need recoup your dollars and get the mount with the funds raised.

Both of those scopes hold their value as they are quite good! My ED 80 sold for 550 last month to give you a idea and the 120 is a whole lot bigger!

If you use your noodle you can get a good deal with good gear and not have to fork out the world!

Brendan
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  #12  
Old 03-12-2011, 08:32 AM
Poita (Peter)
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I'd agree that I would try to buy a 2nd hand EQ6Pro or save the extra few Hungies to get it if possible, but we all have a price cap, and the HEQ5Pro will handle an ED80 and associated gear without a problem, and they hold their value for resale fairly well.

But try putting a wanted ad in for a used EQ6Pro and you may get one for about a grand.
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Old 03-12-2011, 09:44 AM
eskimo
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you guys are pretty good at spending my money for me

yeah I saw & thought about that gear bmitchell...but then i still need a neq6 and then all i can see is $$$$ expended...swmbo aint going to like it if I tell her what it cost

but....mmmm still waiting to hear on the SE8..i know it wont be the best solution in the short term..but I will gain, well at least I hope to gain, experience for a cheaper initial outlay...which may keep her on my side

If it, the SE8 doesnt work out then its back to the drawing board and probably the scopes you mention will be looked at again.

I agree, I like the idea of getting the NEQ6 for what I reckon will be its increased rigidity (& carrying capacity) over the 5?
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  #14  
Old 03-12-2011, 12:14 PM
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bmitchell82 (Brendan)
Newtonian power! Love it!

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ah well, to give you a idea im just a uni student and all my gear has been accumulated over the last 3 years.

I started out with.

10" dobsonian

Then I got the mount later and so went forth my little journey till what i have today which is a full on astro-graph.

I guess what im saying is that although SWMBO might baulk at the initial outlay which really isn't that much once you start using it and if you really have a passion for it not just a fleeting fad then they are normally quite supportive because your out of trouble and it can be a family event .

I think I calculated everything up and came to a rough estimate including my laptops cameras mount scope and im sitting about the 6k mark total thats over 3 years.
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  #15  
Old 03-12-2011, 06:23 PM
eskimo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmitchell82 View Post
a

and im sitting about the 6k mark total
I've spent that this year on other hobbies...she aint gunna like me!

maybe if I send her (and the kids) on a trip overseas might be the go
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  #16  
Old 08-12-2011, 07:25 AM
eskimo
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well not what you guys recommended, and not what I now understand I should really have....

but at $1000.00 it was too good to pass up.
hurriedly put it together last night but was having trouble getting it to focus on the moon, mozzies were getting a free meal and were really annoying the ^%#p out of me so i went inside and went to bed. ...When all else fails read the instructions, if that fails ring 1800 000 000 where your usually told to read the instructions!! duh big focus knob wasnt there last night...I swear.....hahaha
oh well tonight...bugga we have rain forecast for next 5 days days or so

I have a mill and lathe so hopefully a project will be to make up a wedge to allow AP?
other projects will be to make up a small battery supply and a AC to dc supply
need to get timer and AC supply for to control aperture on canon 40d and provide adequate power ..any one know if the are the ones on ebay from china/hong kong are ok?
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Last edited by eskimo; 08-12-2011 at 07:38 AM.
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  #17  
Old 08-12-2011, 10:18 AM
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ZeroID (Brent)
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Well congrats on your buy, welcome to the clouds. What else did you expect, I think you got off lightly with only 5 days of rain..

Cheap easy power supply for almost everything ... you seem very handy with tools etc .. get an old PC power supply, 250 -400 watts maybe. Google for the mod to get it to run without connection to a main board ( a big resistor ) and you have a very smooth, multivoltage supply. + & - 12v, 5v and 3.3 V for the newer units. All with plenty of amps available to run dew heaters etc. I have my fans on 12 and 5 v (hi/lo speed ) and the mount etc on 12v. And you can run PWM controllers if you want other variable voltages or power levels. Plenty of old PCs chucked out so the PS can be had for free mostly. And they are nice little compact units as well.

Cheers
Brent
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Old 08-12-2011, 10:42 AM
eskimo
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thanks Brent

cant wait for some clear skies
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  #19  
Old 08-12-2011, 10:58 AM
Poita (Peter)
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You could do some planetary with that setup, but to do anything serious, forget the wedge and grab an EQ mount and defork that fella!
Building a wedge is a simple project though, and will get you started.

At that focal length, you will struggle for anything else on that mount, though you could try grabbing a reducer, or try going down the hyperstar route, then you could get some DSO action.
http://www.hyperstarimaging.com/gall...?searchid=1282
http://www.hyperstarimaging.com/video.php
http://starizona.com/acb/HyperStar-L...-P991C648.aspx
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  #20  
Old 08-12-2011, 11:03 AM
eskimo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poita View Post
At that focal length, you will struggle for anything else on that mount, though you could try grabbing a reducer.
I dont understand what you mean by "reducer"
can you explain to this beginner
those link wernt there a minute ago

Last edited by eskimo; 08-12-2011 at 11:05 AM. Reason: grammer
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