Astrophoto & new scope choice

New2This · #1 17-02-2007, 11:30 PM

Gday Everyone!!!

This is my first post & my first plunge into the world of astronomy..

I have been reading alot of posts on this site... (and others..should I even acknowledge others exist ?? tic

).
Well im after some opinions on what avenue I should take for my 1st scope.

I have read that dob's are ideal for beginners along with bang for buck which makes them appealing however I have an interest in photography & would be interested in some astrophotography as well (I already have a DSLR).
So my concern is with the limitations of the dob for photography...

What would my options be ??
Would another scope suit better especially if I want to start some deeper space photography..

all views & input are appreciated.

duncan · #2 17-02-2007, 11:43 PM

Hi N2T,

I,m in the same boat as yourself but after all the info i've gathered i'm settling on a Skywatcher 10" Newt on an EQ6 mount. The little pic in the top of this post is the one i'm talking about. Retail is around $2500-$2700 depending on your location. Hope this gives you an option.

Cheers,
Duncan

astroron (Ron) · #3 17-02-2007, 11:53 PM

N2T, as others may tell you learn to walk befor you try to run, in my opinion buy a Dob Newtonian and learn the sky, they have a reasonable resale prospect, then go for the EQ mounts and the Astrophotography rout, when you have some knowledge

norm · #4 17-02-2007, 11:59 PM

Welcome to the forum NT2.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 18-02-2007, 12:01 AM

Or you could do as Ron has just said, then when you are familiar with the dob and the how to use it, keep it and plop it on top of an EQ6 with GoTo at a later date. 10" GSO dob would be a good start.

duncan · #6 18-02-2007, 12:20 AM

Sorry about that should be $2500-$2700. I've corrected it.

Cheers

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 18-02-2007, 12:32 AM

Check out Mike's "Astrophotography with a Dob" how to.

New2This · #8 19-02-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

N2T, as others may tell you learn to walk befor you try to run, in my opinion buy a Dob Newtonian and learn the sky, they have a reasonable resale prospect, then go for the EQ mounts and the Astrophotography rout, when you have some knowledge

I here what ya saying Ron, maybe some basic Photography of the moon/ some planets with aDob will be enough to start with....

Which would lead me to the question of...

Whats the difference between the Different Dobs ??
I have read some reviews on them from this site but more info ppl can provide would be appreciated..

iceman (Mike) · #9 20-02-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2This

Whats the difference between the Different Dobs ??

Between which dobs?

swannies1983 (Dan) · #10 20-02-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Check out Mike's "Astrophotography with a Dob" how to.

This is how I started out with astrophotography. I bought an 8" Dob and used it for visual use before getting myself into the deep end of astrophotography. I then moved on and bought myself an old 1970's model SLR camera and then came across the webcam. Took some great shots but eventually wanted more so I purchased an EQ6. I interchange between a TAL 200K and my Dob OTA on the EQ6. Those extra images caught while tracking certainly improved on what I was getting when using a webcam and the Dob.

Dindsy · #11 20-02-2007, 10:35 AM

Hi N2T,
What sort of DSLR do you have? I bought a scope that the finance comittee would approve

, As such a ($600) 6" Newt on EQ3 mount. I have a D100 and also an interest in photography. I'm am struggling to get any printable images at the moment. It seems that i cannot get the camera into prime focus on my scope. And doing it through EP projection also seems to be a challenge.

I don't know how you can check this before you buy a scope but it's something to think about. I'm now contemplating a CCD imager instead because i don't think i can swing another scope yet.

My new scope of choice would be the 10" LX200R which I saw had fantastically crisp optics. ($6500). Oooops too many zero's.

cheers

New2This · #12 20-02-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Between which dobs?

Sorry was meaning the difference between the Brands of Dobs available,
ie GS, Mead Lightbridge,Bintel etc.

Also are there perhaps brands I should steer clear of ?

rmcpb (Rob) · #13 20-02-2007, 08:00 PM

If you are going to eventually mount your scope on an GEM then forget a truss type scope, the solid tube is for you. As for the brands the GS and Skywatchers are about the same its just the features like crayford focusers and finders that are included in the package that will swing a deal. Big descision time but I would suggest either an 8" or 10" dob then add a EQ6 later for the photography bit.

BTW welcome to IIS

New2This · #14 20-02-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcpb

If you are going to eventually mount your scope on an GEM then forget a truss type scope, the solid tube is for you. As for the brands the GS and Skywatchers are about the same its just the features like crayford focusers and finders that are included in the package that will swing a deal. Big descision time but I would suggest either an 8" or 10" dob then add a EQ6 later for the photography bit.

BTW welcome to IIS

Good tip,

So what sort of extras & EP would be recommended ?
& can any one give an example of the package they got when they purchased so that I can make an informed D.

Cheers for all the info guys