The problem of the Canon over the dedicated CCD is the noise level, particulary amp noise in long exposure, unless you are able to turn the amp off in yours during exposure. Also many dedicated CCD now us peltier cooling to reduce the noise even more.
Having said that the DSLR are very versitile wth off the shelf components and lenses
Sorry I know I am probably asking a question that is so obvious that it's like asking if the sky is blue - but is that mount you have a german equatorial style mount like the EQ6?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Boy
Gav I'd go one step at a time.
You can always get the 80 ED later.
As for the Focal reducer you are actually gaining speed not multiplying the f.l so it makes the scope quicker.
The image quality doesn't suffer too much except for some vignetting but you can crop.
Wow you have some serious gear mate.
I'm glad you liked my image.
Cheers
PS oh I forgot that image was taken on an EM200 mount.
Here are a couple of samples of what the Orion ED80 can do. This is using the Meade 6.3 FR and an adapter to reach focus. These are the first shots taken with this particular arrangements. No particular care was taken during processing, just curves and levels to bring out the details.
I have a 12" SCT and will soon be mounting that on one of my EQ6's. to negate the use of a guide scope I have bought a Lumicon Giant Easy Guider, which will help cut down the clutter and weight I hope (yep famous last words, I will probably mount the ED80 I have on top and image through that at the same time). I am confident that the mount will take it, or else I wouldn't be heading down this track!
Sorry I know I am probably asking a question that is so obvious that it's like asking if the sky is blue - but is that mount you have a german equatorial style mount like the EQ6?
Yes it is a GEM.
And you're welcome to ask any questions you like that's what we're here for.
Oh btw, the wedding will finish up at around 1am.
You still have time to make it to Kulnura, we go till sunrise, even if it's hailing.....
haha And actually thats not so silly as it finishes in north sydney - it may depend how tired I am, I guess I could always stuff enough caffeine into myself to kill a bull
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Boy
Yes it is.
And you're welcome to ask any questions you like that's what we're here for.
Oh btw, the wedding will finish up at around 1am.
You still have time to make it to Kulnura, we go till sunrise, even if it's hailing.....
You wont be able to guide through a finder scope. Infact I don't think the OTAs come with a finder unless you by the whole LX200R package of forks and all. You will need either an off axis guider or an elcheapo guidescope.
I saw some people mentioning on the cloudy nights forum using the 80mm as a guider? or did I misunderstand them?
i.e. if that is true, maybe i will get the 80 after all rather than chucking money at a cheap interim guider.
if I'm way off here let me know. I've used a scope before but never really thought about guiders or such.
thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders]
You wont be able to guide through a finder scope. Infact I don't think the OTAs come with a finder unless you by the whole LX200R package of forks and all. You will need either an off axis guider or an elcheapo guidescope.
The ED80 makes a terrific guidescope. It's a top little all round scope. There are so many options when you come to astrophotography. With the correct adapter and a webcam you an even guide with your existing long FL camera lenses. For example your 300 with a webcam would be ideal for guiding the Orion.
I really think you need to get up to Kulnura and have a look and a good chat. Its a huge area to start in and knowing what you want to do in terms of area of astrophotography (eg widefield) quickly determines the type of equipment best suited to what you want to do.
You do understand the terms guider, guidescope and tracking Gav?
Just want to make sure you don't get mixed up.
The tracking is the mount just moving on it's own, trying to keep up with the earths movement.
Guiding is when you use a device/guide camera through a guidescope which gives instructions to the mount to keep it moving and following the star that it's guiding on.
Guidescope is the actual scope which you put your guide camera in while you use your DSLR through the other scope to image.
my impression of it was on the smaller scope you use it to find an object, then you attach the appropriate eyepiece to the 'main' scope to 'zoom in' on the actual object of interest once you have it in the fov. thats how i did it with the old etx i used to borrow. Is that somewhat accurate?
my impression of it was on the smaller scope you use it to find an object, then you attach the appropriate eyepiece to the 'main' scope to 'zoom in' on the actual object of interest once you have it in the fov. thats how i did it with the old etx i used to borrow. Is that somewhat accurate?
Yes, but I'm talking about guiding when you are actually imaging.
ah. no I'm not quite fully familiar with the during imaging part. this was sorta why i initially thought leave the 80mm until later when i get a bit more knowledge.
There are a number of ways to setup Gav. In the first photo I'm setup to image through the 8" and the 300D and autoguide using a ToUcam and laptop through the 80. Alternatively I could image through the 80 with the 300D and autoguide or manually guide through the 8".
This over/under setup is the most common. If however your weight is pushing the mount limit you can opt for a side/side mounting setup. It's harder to balance but keeps the weight nearer the mount head (second photo).
You could also have your DSLR in place of the 80 in the first photo or one of the refractors in the second. You basically mix and match to suit your needs.