Scope / Mount Weight Question

[pluto (Hugh)]

Originally Posted by mikeyjames

Overall, I guess you're telling me not to expect photos like yours without lots of frustration, learning, effort, and some extra purchases.

Out of interest, where would you suggest I start with astrophotography? Maybe the moon and go from there?

Exactly like you said, there will be a lot of frustration, learning, and effort. That will be true for any setup when starting with astrophotography but a big newt definitely adds a few extra variables.

For example I started with an ED80 on an EQ5 with a 5DmkII. So I had to learn about alignment, balance, getting focus, and working out good camera settings. And it was hard to get good results!
Your setup will require all those things plus your scope+camera weight is much closer to the mounts limit, plus you'll have to learn collimation, plus dealing with coma, and cooldowns, and dew...

So while everyone has said your setup can work, and they're right, you should be aware that you're starting with a relatively difficult setup.
The second night out with my ED80+EQ5 I was able to get 30 second shots of M42, although they were a bit average. Me thinks it will be many more nights of learning and working things out to get to the same stage with your setup. Having said that though when you do you'll be able to produce much better stuff

[Somnium (Aidan)]

Originally Posted by mikeyjames

Hi Aidan,
I think I have the obsessive part down pretty well.

I just checked out your Facebook page and a YouTube video of your setup - wow!

Overall, I guess you're telling me not to expect photos like yours without lots of frustration, learning, effort, and some extra purchases.

Out of interest, where would you suggest I start with astrophotography? Maybe the moon and go from there?

BTW - I forgot to ask earlier. When you had the same setup did you need any extra weights to balance it?

Thanks for the help and advice
Mick

the moon is always the best first target, it is really easy to get a nice image of the moon. then start on some of the relatively bright Deep sky objects, though things like M42, omega centauri and M83 are really challenging to do well.

i didn't need extra weight, but i did have a counterweight extension bar. when i changed to a ccd and filterwheel, i did need a little extra weight at times.

in terms of getting great images, there are a lot of people on this forum that produce better results than me with less expensive equipment. you can get some amazing results with the rig you are looking to get, provided you have an autoguider. it all depends on how talented you are, which in my case is the limiting factor.

if you are getting into astrophotography to take pretty pictures of anything, then definitely start with an 80 mm refractor. it is so much easier to use,light weight and great. in my case, i knew that i was really interested in galaxy imaging. that is all i wanted to do so i decided that my first set up was going to be a 10"newt and i didnt regret it.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Unlike Aidan I am more interested in photographing nebula regions than galaxies so I am very happy with my 660mm focal length. If I had bucket loads of money to throw around I'd get an RH200, 8" F/3 with a focal lengthy of 600mm.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Hi Mick, I've done the 10" F5 photography thing on an EQ6 with a DIY build Serrurier truss scope. It came in at 11 kg and 17 kg with the rest of the gear attached. I gave up. At that focal length with that weight it is a major to manage especially if this is your first foray into Astrophotography. As others have mentioned you will need more than a little patience and persistence to sort out all the little problems.
I'd suggest an 8" F5 if you are hell bent down that path. Imaging is not all about aperture, the mount and accurate guiding is far more important.
I've built an 8F8 newt for imaging but it's long focal length (and OTA ) makes if a fussy beast to handle so now looking at building an 8F5 or 8F6 as a dedicated astro scope. Big enough aperture but it should weigh in below 10 kg.

[mikeyjames (Mick)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

Hi Mick, I've done the 10" F5 photography thing on an EQ6 with a DIY build Serrurier truss scope. It came in at 11 kg and 17 kg with the rest of the gear attached. I gave up. At that focal length with that weight it is a major to manage especially if this is your first foray into Astrophotography. As others have mentioned you will need more than a little patience and persistence to sort out all the little problems.
I'd suggest an 8" F5 if you are hell bent down that path. Imaging is not all about aperture, the mount and accurate guiding is far more important.
I've built an 8F8 newt for imaging but it's long focal length (and OTA ) makes if a fussy beast to handle so now looking at building an 8F5 or 8F6 as a dedicated astro scope. Big enough aperture but it should weigh in below 10 kg.

Hi Brent,
This thread has certainly given me a lot to think about.

Appreciate the help.

Cheers
Mick

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Originally Posted by mikeyjames

Hi Brent,
This thread has certainly given me a lot to think about.

Appreciate the help.

Cheers
Mick

Hi Mick, no problem. The whole astrophotography path is quite complex and expensive to boot. I actually switched back to a 102 mm ED F7 refractor which was far more manageable. I've only recently gone back into the reflector path.
Your biggest path is to get a simple as system going first, alignment, guiding, stability, optics options, focus and control all need to be mastered and the software and system being what it is it is not always an easy path. If something can go wrong it will.
Most astro photogs start with widefeild using a DSLR. Even if you buy a really good mount just experimenting with a small scope and DSLR is a good way to start. The small scope becomes your guide scope later when you move up the ladder and get the scope you really want and understand the parameters involved.
Keep asking questions, people here are happy to help.