RC vs Newtonian

[gregbradley]

Good move. I am sure it will be a source of a lot of fun in imaging.
The thing I like about the Tak mounts is they are really user friendly and simple to operate plus very accurate.

Greg.

[dannat (Daniel)]

i know this goes outside my original question ..........but

why would you want to blow $2000+ on a 4" refractor when you can get more light gathering for less?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

If you want to use a Newt with a large camera like Mike's then you are back to mega bucks.
Greg.

The Orion Optics AG12 OTA is only about AU$11 000 at the moment compared to a 12.5" RCOS at AU$23 000. It's still a lot of money but cheaper than all but the GSO RC's - although I don't know what the price of the GSO 12"RC will be? If you go with a smaller cheaper camera like an FLI Microline, QSI, Starlightxpress or even a smaller SBIG then the standard OTA should be perfect ie good bang for your buck I recon..? Assuming it works as advertised...time will tell, I'm still just a little nervous

Mike

[TrevorW]

Originally Posted by dannat

i know this goes outside my original question ..........but

why would you want to blow $2000+ on a 4" refractor when you can get more light gathering for less?

Actually it's not all about LGP when imaging, Craig Stark has written a very good article on this and suggests that a good refractor can be better than a larger RC/Newt when it comes down to resolution

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2394

[dannat (Daniel)]

thanks trevor - maybe i should get a 90mm tak

[gregbradley]

There are hundreds of super images taken with 4 inch refractors. You don't have to know anything about the theory just look at the final results.

The multitude of images speaks for themselves.

An FSQ106 whilst not $2000, is in a league of its own and many would consider it the king of widefield imaging scopes.

If you want close up galaxy images though you can't get away from the need for largish aperture.

Greg.