Starting from zero!!

[Viespe (Marius)]

First of all my apologies for my English, it is not my native language thus, Hi guys, pretty nice forums here with a lot of info. I am really looking forward learning from this place

Now to the point.
As you already guessed I am completely starting from 0. Mega noob thus. To avoid any complications, I must admit I've been reading these forums for about an week now, including most beginner tips, tuts, opinions and such, other places as well, but as you probably guessed, you will never get an answer as long as you don't ask the right question. Fact is, there is simply too much info (which is good) but so much that after 1 hour of reading you get confused and have more questions then you started.

ATM. I have set a goal to start easy by studying planets (later more), that with about 1500 euros (and if it attacks my blood might go upwards). I know it's not much but should be more than enough to get me started from what I read.I am not interested in the most expensive brand because it's the best, I am more interested in what is the best option brand for a starter!! I am realistic and have no expectations in "pro" like (lol) images like most of you. Just the "amateur" guy hoping to evolve.
To avoid reading about 1 zillion of products and getting more confused I am interested in a fair and straight answer from people with experience following my next 2 questions, allowing me to narrow and focus my attention to something :

1: 1500 Euros (close to 2k US Dollars as of today)
What are the MOST critical things to buy (ie. telescope <especially brands 1/2 but kept simple> , binoculars and accesiores, viewfinder, better optics) etc.
2: Personal goal is to get into digital imagery like most of you. As this is apart my original budget, what will I need (ie. camera, pc, software) for a starter, at which price should I look for (aprox)?

I am looking forward to read your thoughts!!
Cheers,
Viespe

P.S. perhaps it is necessary to add that this is for my home only, I do not intend traveling yet.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Big question Viespe ... Do you have any idea on what your main intrests will be , eg. the moon and planets , star's ( clusters and doubles ) or deep space ( galaxies , nebular etc.) as each type of scope has its weaknesses and strenghts for certian objects , also where do you live ? , in town or in the country ?
As you will hear the MOUNT is the most critical part of any telescope , so I would start there , either an EQ6Pro , HEQ5Pro , Ioptron IEQ45 or Celestron CGE. these are quite expensive but are a good solid platform to build a set up on .. These are reccomended to you going on your budget , there are cheeper ones , but these are great mounts .
I will wait to hear what your viewing preferences are before starting on an OTA ( optical tube assembly ) .
And others will help you here , its a very friendly site and .
Brian.

Originally Posted by Viespe

First of all my apologies for my English, it is not my native language thus, Hi guys, pretty nice forums here with a lot of info. I am really looking forward learning from this place

Now to the point.
As you already guessed I am completely starting from 0. Mega noob thus. To avoid any complications, I must admit I've been reading these forums for about an week now, including most beginner tips, tuts, opinions and such, other places as well, but as you probably guessed, you will never get an answer as long as you don't ask the right question. Fact is, there is simply too much info (which is good) but so much that after 1 hour of reading you get confused and have more questions then you started.

ATM. I have set a goal to start easy by studying planets (later more), that with about 1500 euros (and if it attacks my blood might go upwards). I know it's not much but should be more than enough to get me started from what I read.I am not interested in the most expensive brand because it's the best, I am more interested in what is the best option brand for a starter!! I am realistic and have no expectations in "pro" like (lol) images like most of you. Just the "amateur" guy hoping to evolve.
To avoid reading about 1 zillion of products and getting more confused I am interested in a fair and straight answer from people with experience following my next 2 questions, allowing me to narrow and focus my attention to something :

1: 1500 Euros (close to 2k US Dollars as of today)
What are the MOST critical things to buy (ie. telescope <especially brands 1/2 but kept simple> , binoculars and accesiores, viewfinder, better optics) etc.
2: Personal goal is to get into digital imagery like most of you. As this is apart my original budget, what will I need (ie. camera, pc, software) for a starter, at which price should I look for (aprox)?

I am looking forward to read your thoughts!!
Cheers,
Viespe

P.S. perhaps it is necessary to add that this is for my home only, I do not intend traveling yet.

[Viespe (Marius)]

Thanks, for your reply Brian,

Well simply pretty much what you said. But giving the fact that I am an starter, I'm gonna start with the moon, planets, stars. In the end I want to reach galaxies, but it's safer to start with page one as you don't learn to scan them in 2 days, thus until I am confident I can jump into deeper stuff let's stay to the beginners zone
I also live in the Netherlands (Hilversum just to it's margin, not in the middle of the city, which I hope it's an positive sign) about 35km south of Amsterdam.
The thing is (if it helps) I could just pump 5k into it now, my whole savings budget saved for this project, but as many ppl are saying, astronomy can be a puzzle where ppl might give up and at the moment I am not willing to go that high. I'm thinking basics, gat used to it and see from there.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Well Viespe , I would still go for one of these mounts and get a 100mm - 120mm doublet APO , from any of the major suppliers , they are the best for what you are intending to view . Great scopes .
I would for go a triplet as the extra expence for one out weighs the gains for what you intend to do . My 5c worth anyway .
Shop around on the 2nd hand market , you might find a whole package that will suit ? .
Good luck and please keep us here informed as your journey continues .
We wait with baited breath .
Brian.

Originally Posted by Viespe

Thanks, for your reply Brian,

Well simply pretty much what you said. But giving the fact that I am an starter, I'm gonna start with the moon, planets, stars. In the end I want to reach galaxies, but it's safer to start with page one as you don't learn to scan them in 2 days, thus until I am confident I can jump into deeper stuff let's stay to the beginners zone
I also live in the Netherlands (Hilversum just to it's margin, not in the middle of the city, which I hope it's an positive sign) about 35km south of Amsterdam.
The thing is (if it helps) I could just pump 5k into it now, my whole savings budget saved for this project, but as many ppl are saying, astronomy can be a puzzle where ppl might give up and at the moment I am not willing to go that high. I'm thinking basics, gat used to it and see from there.

[niko]

I would like to offer a different opinion.

Why not start with an 8" dobsonian to help you observe and learn the sky.

Many that are into astrophotography now started that way. The photography can be a frustrating (and expensive) past-time and without some familiarity with the night sky even harder.

A dob will give great views of the moon, planets and deep space - it will also let you see if this hobby is for you without huge financial outlay. A dslr camera can also be used to good (but limited) effect - my best Moon photo was taken just holding a camera up to the eyepiece of the dob.

These telescopes also have good resale value so if you decided it was really your passion you can upgrade without great losses

cheers

niko

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Hi Marius, welcome to Ice In Space.
Ok, so you are interested in the Planets, and would like to take images of them as well.
I will suggest that you think about buying an 8 or 10" Skywatcher Goto Dobsonian.
With the addition of a 4x Powermate to increase magnification, all you need is a DSLR capable of capturing Videos and a T Ring to attach it to the scope, and you will be capable of capturing some fine Planetary Portraits.
The telescope will also give you wonderful views of Galaxies and Nebula.

[Viespe (Marius)]

Thank you all for your replies.
Indeed that is what I was silently thinking, I just didn't wanted to jump into direct conclusions. Most ppl that are in this range are recommending some of the following (general idea of what's on my mind as well):
Some different types of the Meade Lightbridge -something also some people are happy with some Celestron series or some Skywatchers ( hope I got the names right!). I also wouldn't mind to have a lose 8-10 inch one and hook it to a tripod. The design of it, it is not an issue at all, the interesting part that confuses me (and scares) the most about dobs, is that I read a lot about upgrading stuff like eyepieces and lenses, bolts etc, especially since Holland it's not the ideal atronomical country because if it's extreme weather moisture configuration.

In terms of digital camera my girlfriend owns a cheap Nikon D3100 camera for about a year I think, which she barely uses and might need an owner change Will this one do the trick or I need some serious device as well?
One more thing can anyone recommend me some good binoculars or point me in th eright direction? I read something about some 10x50 (if I am not mistaken) in Dennis Simmons tut.

[sil (Steve)]

Buy the wrong scope on impulse and it'll end up like that D3100...barely used.

To get into astrophotography just use the D3100 and whatever lenses it has, that's more than enough to take great photos. I've used my D60 with 105mm lens to photography the Lagoon Nebula. The Milky Way and star clusters are dead easy with any wide angle lens. I've shot Jupiter and saturn as well...all without needing a telescope and just on a regular camera tripod. The skill (and the challenge) is processing the images, you can start doing that right now with the gear you have and there is plenty of free astrophotography software around (though I can recommend Pixinsight as a worthy purchase if you decide to stick with it).

I've given up using my Celestron 114EQ for photography recently and use an Orion 100mm tabletop dob for visual observing. At only $200 it is great value and gives suberb views. It's usable from indoors on a desk, or outside on a camera tripod. Small, light, portable and NO setting up, cooling down, calibration, or any of the other rituals that can make a larger scope more of a chore. I find much pleasure using this little scope at any moment the mood takes me and I am enjoying astronomy far more.

Most astrophotographers I've heard about use two scopes anyway, one for the photography and one for the visual. The dob suggestion is a very sound one, try finding one that is small enough for you to live with and easily use.