Which telescope?

[SkyWatch (Dean)]

Hi and welcome to Oz!
Personally I would look at the heavier mounts (EQ5) with a bit more aperture for general viewing, although I wonder how well the EQ5 would handle an 8" OTA for photography. (You don't want to go any heavier than 50% of the rated capacity of a mount if you want to image with it, and I think the EQ5 is a bit light.) You would certainly need to get a drive if you want to image- but you will need to make sure you can run it from a computer for guiding. If you are going to spend a couple of hundred more for a drive anyway, can you stretch your budget and go for the "go-to" version at Andrews?
In terms of the actual viewing experience: the 8" f5 would probably be the best all-rounder. f4 is very fast, and cheaper eyepieces may struggle to give you a good image away from the centre of the field.
The 6" SCT is very forgiving of eyepiece quality because of its long FL, but gives a much narrower FOV. It is a tried and true OTA though and should give you good images- my concern is the light mount.
Regarding Andrews: they have always done the right thing by me, and are very good with their service.
Good luck!

- Dean

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Originally Posted by SkyWatch

Hi and welcome to Oz!
Personally I would look at the heavier mounts (EQ5) with a bit more aperture for general viewing, although I wonder how well the EQ5 would handle an 8" OTA for photography. (You don't want to go any heavier than 50% of the rated capacity of a mount if you want to image with it, and I think the EQ5 is a bit light.) You would certainly need to get a drive if you want to image- but you will need to make sure you can run it from a computer for guiding. If you are going to spend a couple of hundred more for a drive anyway, can you stretch your budget and go for the "go-to" version at Andrews?
In terms of the actual viewing experience: the 8" f5 would probably be the best all-rounder. f4 is very fast, and cheaper eyepieces may struggle to give you a good image away from the centre of the field.
The 6" SCT is very forgiving of eyepiece quality because of its long FL, but gives a much narrower FOV. It is a tried and true OTA though and should give you good images- my concern is the light mount.
Regarding Andrews: they have always done the right thing by me, and are very good with their service.
Good luck!

- Dean

Thanks for the welcome Dean.

I am looking very favourbly on the following scope after the advice I have received on here. It is from Andrews and from what others have said they are pretty good. I am just awaiting an answer from them on the Prime Focus and if that turns out ok I will then get into some negotiations with them.......well will try

Do you reckon the mount with this scope is adeqaute? others seem to think so - do you agree? I know a larger mount would be ideal but most reckon the HEQ5Pro will be fine.


BD 200 x 1000P with HEQ5PRO (white)heavy duty "Go-To" mount and V3.0 "Go-To" hand controller

***New low price***

$1699 AUD
Black Diamond model!
In stock

[raymo]

Naryan, I purposely haven't mentioned guiding; so many newbies are encouraged to buy all sorts of expensive gear, and run before they can walk. Give him a chance to learn his way around his new mount, and get some unguided pics under his belt, then he can decide where he wants to
go from there.
raymo

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Originally Posted by raymo

Naryan, I purposely haven't mentioned guiding; so many newbies are encouraged to buy all sorts of expensive gear, and run before they can walk. Give him a chance to learn his way around his new mount, and get some unguided pics under his belt, then he can decide where he wants to
go from there.
raymo

Here, here......lol

Baby steps as they say

The 'Boss' has okay'd the spend on the Black Diamond 8' with the HEQ5Pro - just waiting for Andrews to reply to my email re prime Focus

Thanks for the help guys I will no doubt be asking alot more questions today, tomorrow and into the future.

Mis

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by Misplaced

Hi all,

I am new to the forum but not new to astronomy I have been interested in it since about the age of 10 and learnt most of the constellations that you could see from the UK. Anyway, I am no living in Canberra, Australia and trying to learn the constellations you can see hear.....seems funny to see Orion on his head

I could really do with some advice on which telescope to get with view to maybe delving into Astrophotography as I have a Nikon DLSR. Searching the web i have found the following telescopes and would like honest and objective opinions: -

Meade LX80 6" f10 SCT with a Ex3 - Deluxe Mount - $1,199 from Bintel
Bintel f4 8" Reflector Skywatcher EQ5 mount - $999 from Bintel
Bintel f5 8" Reflector Skywatcher EQ5 mount - $999 from Bintel

My top budget would be $1,300 and I do realise that I would need to purchase a T-ring and T-ring adaptor for the astrophotography.

I was also considering buying a Orion EQ3 Dual axis drive and would like your thoughts on whether this would be a good investment.

My experience with telescopes is limited as I could only afford a 4" refractor when younger and i no longer have that.

The reports i seem to be coming across for the Meade LX80 do not seem promising, though

Has anyone bought telescopes from Andrews Communications? If so, what was their service like? The service from Bintel seems to have good reports but they are more expensive than Andrews Communications

Apologies for such a lengthy post!

Mis

Hi Craig,
Welcome, I am sure you are having as much fun learning our constellations as I had learning yours nine years back - I just chuckle when I see Orion and Leo the right way up over there.

First things first. Astrophotography isn't easy (can be darn frustrating actually), and as far as I am concerned wastes heaps of valuable time when you could otherwise be doing something useful - like looking through a telescope.

Does your Nikon DSLR have Live View off the sensor, with the ability to magnify the image? If not, you will struggle trying to get focus, even with a magnifying eyepiece. But if it does, you won't have a problem.

Quite frankly - now that you know my bias towards visual astronomy - my suggestion is that you give consideration to buying say a cheap second hand 8 or 10" dob off Ebay for around $300 to $400 (they show up all the time), muck around with it for several years viewing all our celestial show pieces, and then give consideration to getting something better or suited to astrophotography - you'll probably recoup most of your money if you put your telescope back on Ebay.

Regards,
Renato

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Originally Posted by Renato1

Hi Craig,
.........
Does your Nikon DSLR have Live View off the sensor, with the ability to magnify the image? If not, you will struggle trying to get focus, even with a magnifying eyepiece. But if it does, you won't have a problem.

........
Regards,
Renato

Not too sure what you mean here? It has a Live View facility where you can view the image live before you take the picture but this can be switched off using the LV button.

Is that what you are referring to?

Cheers,

Mis

PS - I enjoy a challenge

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by Misplaced

Not too sure what you mean here? It has a Live View facility where you can view the image live before you take the picture but this can be switched off using the LV button.

Is that what you are referring to?

Cheers,

Mis

PS - I enjoy a challenge

Yes, that's the Live View. I'm not familiar with Nikon, because I use Sony which has a fast LV (which is hopeless with stars), and a slower sensor LV which is good with stars. I assume that you can you magnify the LV image say eightfold to enable manual focusing?

Regards,
Renato

[Marios (Marios)]

Some must see videos before you buy..

Astrophotography P2: Choosing & Using Telescope Mounts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQB6U...b4M2-NyKRugXmw


Astrophotography P3: Guiding Your Telescope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW8NyT3r2LU&list=UUx_N3KiUv b4M2-NyKRugXmw

[SkyWatch (Dean)]

Originally Posted by Misplaced

Do you reckon the mount with this scope is adeqaute? others seem to think so - do you agree? I know a larger mount would be ideal but most reckon the HEQ5Pro will be fine.

I have no doubt that this is a nice telescope, and the HEQ5Pro is a very good mount: a significant step up from the EQ5. It will last you for many years!

Visually this will be a very good setup, once you get used to the idiosyncrasies of using an equatorial mount, (and twisting the focuser into the best viewing position!). For imaging, the OTA + camera + guider will test the mount's ability, as the combined weight will be well over 1/2 its rated capability of 14kg: the OTA alone is over 8kg. (Most APers will tell you that it is best not to go over 1/2 to ensure best stability for long exposure images)

However, it will still be capable of giving you some lovely images.

As a number of people have intimated, there is a steep learning curve for using telescopes and particularly imaging, with lots of trial and error along the way, but if you are willing to keep at it you will have a lot of fun and get some really good results. (Anyway, where's the fun if everything is too easy?!)

All the best,

Dean

[raymo]

I don't agree with Dean's opinion regarding max. load for imaging. By his
reckoning even an NEQ6 would barely be man enough to carry an 8" Newt and it's necessary imaging accessories. My HEQ5 happily carries my
8" Newt plus electric focuser, DSLR, and finder; a total of 10.2kg, which is
approx. 75%, which has been the accepted approx. max for the 50+ years that I 've been imaging. I sometimes replace my finder with my 80mm achro, and it carries that o.k. too, a total of about 12.3kg.
raymo

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Still no reply from Andrews Communications re Prime Focus

[raymo]

Try a phone call.
raymo

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Originally Posted by raymo

Try a phone call.
raymo

Difficult from work and I don't usually get home until after they have closed

Mis

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Okay Andrews has just got back to me with this reply: -

We have had some customers experience problems reaching focus with the Skywatcher 200x1000P OTA.

For an f/5 imaging OTA, I recommend the Guan Sheng GS-630 which is optimised for imaging. We sell this OTA for $429.

Does anyone have any opinions on the Guan Sheng (I have never heard of them)

The one I fancy from that range is this: -

Guan Sheng GS-630
8" f/5 imaging Newtonian on Skywatcher HEQ5PRO "Go-To" equatorial mount with tripod

***Super low price!***

$1599 AUD
In stock!
Why pay A$1699 elsewhere?

Absolutely outstanding quality and value 200mm x 1,000mm parabolic mirror Newtonian reflector on the
HEQ5PRO extra heavy duty equatorial mount with adjustable tubular stainless steel tripod legs.
Photo shows a mount
similar to HEQ5PRO.

Crayford style microfocuser with 10:1 fine focusing!

Your advice and opinions would be most welcome...again.

Mis

[raymo]

The GS would be fine, but the only people that I have ever heard of having trouble with reaching prime focus with the SW Newts have not understood how the adaptors work. Your choice.
raymo

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Thanks raymo.

To sum up there isn't much difference in mirror quality or build quality between the two?

What is the Crayford is the Crayford style microfocuser?

Does anyone own or have owned a Guan Sheng one here and if so how have they found them?

The bonus is that they are $100 cheaper

cheers,

Mis

[astro744]

Originally Posted by Misplaced

Thanks raymo.

To sum up there isn't much difference in mirror quality or build quality between the two?

What is the Crayford is the Crayford style microfocuser?

Does anyone own or have owned a Guan Sheng one here and if so how have they found them?

The bonus is that they are $100 cheaper

cheers,

Mis

See the source at http://www.gs-telescope.com/content.asp?id=139

If you cannot reach focus with a DSLR using the micro focuser, Art No.: M-CRF230- 10:1 Micro Edge 2" Crayford Style Focuser then you may need the low profile version, Art No.: M-MLP230- 10:1 Micro Photographic 2" Crayford Style Focuser.

When using the low profile version you will likely have to use a 35mm extension tube, see http://www.gs-telescope.com/content.asp?id=137 for visual use.

The standard micro focuser may allow both visual and photographic, it depends on focuser draw tube travel. Other factors come into play too such as how much edge illumination there is for both visual and photographic and this is determined by the height of the focal plane and size of the secondary. Low profile focusers are the best solution to full 35mm (36 x 24mm) frame astrophotography. Most DSLR have a smaller chip and if you are slightly higher up the draw tube and reach focus then you still may get full illumination because of the smaller chip.

Ask your supplier if the standard micro focuser reaches focus for both visual and DSLR. If so then you wont need to change to low profile but at least you know that you can.

[raymo]

There is nothing to choose between them. They are both budget scopes
that do a great job for the price. As with all mass produced scopes, the
mirror quality varies a little from one to the next, but they average out
pretty good. A Crayford style focuser doesn't have direct drive like a rack
and pinion one. It is driven by a roller which presses against the focuser's tube. The pressure is adjustable to allow for varying loads that the focuser might be asked to carry when the focuser is above the horizontal position. Both types have their followers. Both types can have a micro
focussing control fitted.
raymo

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

i have a skywatcher and a GSO and in my honest opinion the Skywatcher is built more solidly. The spider vanes seems to warp less, the collimation holds better, the springs are sturdier under the primary, the finder scope holder also broke very easily on my GSO. these are little things but it adds up to less frustration at the scope.


cheers

[Misplaced (Craig)]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

i have a skywatcher and a GSO and in my honest opinion the Skywatcher is built more solidly. The spider vanes seems to warp less, the collimation holds better, the springs are sturdier under the primary, the finder scope holder also broke very easily on my GSO. these are little things but it adds up to less frustration at the scope.


cheers

Do you have any problems with the Prime Focus on the Skywatcher?

I still fancy the Skywatcher to be honest and when I get to Astrophotography I a sure that I will be able to get great advice from on here