Dob/SCT, cheap/expensive?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

With my Toucam I haven't had to move the mirror at all.

The only time people prefer to rotate the OTA in its mount is for visual use so they can see in the EP. For Astropics with a Toucam it doesn't matter what angle the Focuser is at. For DSLR's it might, dunno, I ain't got one.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by Solanum

Swannies, I've been an SLR user for 20 years and I wouldn't consider any other type of camera (well not unless someone donates me a Hasselblad!), thus my initial desire to use my 350D for astrophotography. However, I can see that that might be a step too far initially. I also think it will be useful to me to find objects by myself, rather than relying on GOTO. Incidentally, the 350D is now replaced by the 400D, virtually the same camera, but you might find that in the coming weeks the 350D can be found at stock clearance prices.... After many years of film SLR photography I am not disappointed in the 350D.

Well, now I'm looking forward to spending the next few weeks deciding exactly which dob to get!

I have one of those Olympus OM-1 SLR cameras. Like I said, I picked it up for $100. The only problem was that the the handle to wind the film was broken so it takes a little more effort to wind the film back. Apart from that, the camera works really well!

Yes I have been keeping an eye out on the price of the 350D following the release of the 400D. Are the 350Ds cheaper over in Singapore?

[Solanum]

Dunno about Singapore, in my looking around the dSLR prices didn't seem to vary by more than a $100 or so.

The OM-1 is an excellent camera - pity your winder is broken. You could probably get that repaired if you find a suitable shop. Up until the advent of affordable dSLR the OM-1 was still a sought after camera. I still have a Pentax K1000, similarly all mechanical beast and very solid.

It's amazing what the Canon and Nikon dSLRs have done to the film market. The photographer at my previous place of work had a pro Nikon outfit which went from being worth $6k second-hand to about $1500 in 18 months.... he wasn't happy about it!

[sejanus (Gavin)]

solanum - i know that feeling! I had 2 x Nikon F5's which went from being around $3300 each to prob $700 or so each in the space of a few months when the d1h / d1x hit market.