Observing vs Imaging

[Paddy (Patrick)]

So many of you make such wonderful images available that I feel no need to make them myself.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

An imager who likes to observe the things I image!!!!!

Bought bigger and bigger telescopes over the years but never got the same thrill at the EP as seeing a coloured, detailed image present itself on the 3" LCD window of my DSLR!!!!

...and you can image process on the cloudy nights too!

Imaging and Observing - the Ying and Yang of Astronomy!?

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by overlord

I think everyone will agree that imaging is ONLY for very serious people with big-ego telescopes who are simply too good for us lowly mortals with cheep dobs.

No Overlord I can't agree to that! I have tried to image on a budget so to speak - cheaper mount and shorter focal length/widefield work.
Admitedly the cost of my "basic" rig is much greater than the cost of a 12" Dob, but the new 16" kid on the block is starting to get close to the cost of a basic imaging rig!
I don't want to get into a debate as I think it's pointless - as long as we enjoy whatever we do then "alles gut"!!!!
And, I particularly enjoyed your passionate championing of the observer!
All the best
ps...Imaging Rules!!!!!!

[tnott]

I like looking at other peoples images but it is too much mucking around for me. Visual observing can be quicker and more convenient. Also there is something about seeing something in real time that just gets me excited.

Having a 16" scope and some naglers helps................








but even binos are good from a dark site.

[Domol (Domenic)]

Interesting vote result.....might have been a different result if the vote was under the astrophoto blog???

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Does drawing count as imaging? One way to really improve observation skills is to draw an image of what you see through the eyepiece.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by tnott

I like looking at other peoples images but it is too much mucking around for me.

After seeing superb images like the M8 image that was displayed on APOD, how can anyone else post up for the public an "average M8" without feeling seriously inadequate?

I would hate to have spent thousands and thousands of dollars only to be able to produce comparatively ho-hum results . It seems that it takes a hell of a lot of money AND skill to be able to do anything remotely as good as those posted by many top shelf imagers that have gone before.

Lets face it, top shelf images of almost any object you care to name are available online for anyone who wants to look for them. Its so much easier to let others do the hard work

[coldspace]

I am the " Lazy man imager " I use a colour mallincam video system in suburbia to track down objects I can't see at the eyepiece, so I guess I am half way between visual and imaging. No polar alignment, no processing, colour images in just seconds on a LCD TV, beers in the other hand, what more could a bloke want!! on a more serious note, I love visual as well and don't have time or patience to do anything close to the excellent photo's produced by those here. I will just admire them when they are posted.

Matt.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by Starkler

After seeing superb images like the M8 image that was displayed on APOD, how can anyone else post up for the public an "average M8" without feeling seriously inadequate?

I would hate to have spent thousands and thousands of dollars only to be able to produce comparatively ho-hum results . It seems that it takes a hell of a lot of money AND skill to be able to do anything remotely as good as those posted by many top shelf imagers that have gone before.

Lets face it, top shelf images of almost any object you care to name are available online for anyone who wants to look for them. Its so much easier to let others do the hard work

I have to disagree with you Geoff.

I know that not all of us have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on top grade imaging equipment but like most of us we have only very basic setups. Like me, I have got an 8” SCT on an EQ6 Pro that I use for imaging with a DSLR camera. Although it isn’t a 14” RC on a ParamountME with a top of the line CCD camera, I still think that it is a very capable low cost (when compared to the professional equipment) imaging setup.

A fellow IIS member Eric (Ezystyles) who comes to mind who has produced some amazing images that in my opinion, somewhat rivals some images that the top shelf astrophotographers have produced. I believe he uses a 10” newt on an EQ6 with a DSLR camera.

Although viewing some images that the best astrophotographers have produced is rather extraordinary and inspiring, I still believe that anyone with the devotion and passion for imaging, no matter what telescope or camera they have will create great images.

What I am trying to say is that you don’t need $50,000 worth of top grade equipment to produce great images.

Just my 2 cents.

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Matty P

I have to disagree with you Geoff.

I know that not all of us have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on top grade imaging equipment but like most of us we have only very basic setups. Like me, I have got an 8” SCT on an EQ6 Pro that I use for imaging with a DSLR camera. Although it isn’t a 14” RC on a ParamountME with a top of the line CCD camera, I still think that it is a very capable low cost (when compared to the professional equipment) imaging setup.

A fellow IIS member Eric (Ezystyles) who comes to mind who has produced some amazing images that in my opinion, somewhat rivals some images that the top shelf astrophotographers have produced. I believe he uses a 10” newt on an EQ6 with a DSLR camera.

Although viewing some images that the best astrophotographers have produced is rather extraordinary and inspiring, I still believe that anyone with the devotion and passion for imaging, no matter what telescope or camera they have will create great images.

What I am trying to say is that you don’t need $50,000 worth of top grade equipment to produce great images.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree Matty P,
Also its the self satisfaction of doing it your self and getting a nice shot every now and again. I like to think its like golf, you go out for a round and been a fairly hopeless hacker when I get that odd par or birdie it makes you want to get out next time and do it again, same goes if you are having a nice night and things are going well and you get that great shot of some deep sky object or planet it makes it all worthwhile and makes you try and better it next time, I am no Tiger Woods but I still like golf, and I am no where near some of the top imaging guys but I still like getting images with my DSI and Mallincam. Having fun is the main game .

Regards Matt.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by coldspace

Having fun is the main game .

As long as you are actually having fun and not tearing out your hair due to equipment failure, poor tracking or forgetting to take off the lens cap
I guess it is a bit like golf

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Starkler

As long as you are actually having fun and not tearing out your hair due to equipment failure, poor tracking or forgetting to take off the lens cap
I guess it is a bit like golf

And throwing your clubs into the water when you miss that shot
It is like golf when you think about it, never the equipment more user error.

Matt.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by coldspace

Having fun is the main game .

Do you mean main game or main aim?

It is a lot like Golf but instead of chasing a small white ball around a course, you are trying to image them.

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Matty P

Do you mean main game or main aim?

It is a lot like Golf but instead of chasing a small white ball around a course, you are trying to image them.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by Domol

Interesting vote result.....might have been a different result if the vote was under the astrophoto blog???

Yes, it would most likely be different. In a way I was kind of expecting these results to be like this because after all it is in the Observing section.

[AlexN]

voted observer a few months ago... Should now change my vote to imager, but cant.. However, I still enjoy both.

[ving (David)]

both.... although if i had to pick.... observer maybe.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

This is a great forum and this thread is great post to read ...ive read agreements and disagreements ...pros and cons about imaging and observing now if we in a pub and all intoxicated the place would expode wouldnt it ?


Maybe not probably sit down and laugh it off ...cheers Kev.

[ving (David)]

actually... on second thoughts i think i am more of a photographer

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

voted observer a few months ago... Should now change my vote to imager, but cant.. However, I still enjoy both.

I think I should've included Imager/Observer as another voting option. I'm pretty sure that would have change the results.