Thoughts on a beginner AP set-up?

archioptic (Nathan) · #1 21-06-2013, 01:08 PM

Hi guys,

After a year of using my DSLR on a crappy old (and broken!) 30 year old tripod, I've reached the limit of what my current set-up can do and I'm ready to dump some cash into a decent beginner rig to shoot the sky. After some research I've decided on the Orion ED80T scope and HEQ5 pro mount. I'll be using my D3100 to image for now, and plan on purchasing an auto-guiding system in the future. Obviously I need a T-ring adapter and a FF, but which one? I guess I'll need to buy some mounting rings to attach the scope to the mount and some Barlow lenses, but I'm not too sure what to get.
Is there anything else I should be looking at purchasing, or anything I should change?
Any help is appreciated.

Shiraz (Ray) · #2 21-06-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archioptic

Hi guys,

After a year of using my DSLR on a crappy old (and broken!) 30 year old tripod, I've reached the limit of what my current set-up can do and I'm ready to dump some cash into a decent beginner rig to shoot the sky. After some research I've decided on the Orion ED80T scope and HEQ5 pro mount. I'll be using my D3100 to image for now, and plan on purchasing an auto-guiding system in the future. Obviously I need a T-ring adapter and a FF, but which one? I guess I'll need to buy some mounting rings to attach the scope to the mount and some Barlow lenses, but I'm not too sure what to get.
Is there anything else I should be looking at purchasing, or anything I should change?
Any help is appreciated.

sounds like a sensible plan to me Nathan and you seem to have all bases covered.

Forget the Barlows - your setup will be best for dso imaging and your image scale will be about right. You will need an autoguider - you can scratch by without one, but will have much more fun if you use one. FF and Tring cannot help with, but you will need them.

have fun. regards ray

pluto (Hugh) · #3 21-06-2013, 02:38 PM

Sounds great.
You'll want an autoguider but you can get away without one for a while IMO. I was reliably getting 45 second exposures, often more, with my DSLR and an ED80 on my EQ5 so you should be able to get better than that with the HEQ5.
I never bothered with a FF as I'd always crop in on my images so the edges weren't too important to me.
I think the adapters you need are something like this:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
And this:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
But if you ring or email whoever you buy them from they should be able to make sure you get exactly what you need.

Good luck

rogerco (Roger) · #4 21-06-2013, 03:57 PM

I would look into electronic focusing and look at what software you want to use. Look at what you are going to use to assist you in focusing, ie software like DSLRFocus and/or a Bahtinov Mask.

My experience (which is very limited

) is that the above will make for easier sessions

.

Nortilus (Josh) · #5 21-06-2013, 04:16 PM

save and go straight to an eq6. there are more popping up on IIS trades now that the eq8 is out. that is my only advice...

reason, you wont have to fork out more money at a later date to get a bigger mount when you want to put a bigger scope on, with more things like guider, finder, cameras. it all starts to build in weight pretty quick.

Logieberra (Logan) · #6 21-06-2013, 08:58 PM

Agreed, go EQ6 up front. That sucker will service your astro needs for many years. As they say, spend most of your $$$ on mount - the remainder on fiddly bits. It all boils down to mount and the bigger the better

P.S. Specifically - 'NEQ6 Pro'.

archioptic (Nathan) · #7 22-06-2013, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the helpful replies. I've considered going for the NEQ6 pro mount, guess I'll need to keep an eye out for a second hand one! As for the auto-guider, are there any available that don't need to be controlled by a PC? Reason is I don't have a laptop and would like to spend that money elsewhere.

Logieberra (Logan) · #8 22-06-2013, 04:07 PM

A cheapy Intel Atom processor netbook, used from EBay, will do the trick. Astro apps are usually quite conservative, ThySkyX being one exception - where you image link / astrometry into large star databases.

Autoguiding is never simple. The custom settings within autoguider software really is needed. Stand alone autoguiders do not offer that flexibility. Start out with a QHY5/Orion StarShootAutoguider for trouble free autoguiding.

CarlJoseph (Carl) · #9 23-06-2013, 05:32 AM

Haven't been behind the scope for 6 months (travelling and couldn't bring my scope with me unfortunately), but I'm kind of a beginner so take my advice for what it's worth ...

Definitely go with the NEQ6 Pro. It's a great mount and you'll love it.
Get a Bahtinov mask. It'll make focusing soooo much easier. You can make your own quite easily. Here's the Bahtinov Mask Generator, and here's a guide with pictures.
Agree with forgetting the Barlows.
Autoguiding can come later, so don't stress about it for now. Plenty to do and learn without it for a long while until you save up some more money.

Enjoy the slippery slope!

archioptic (Nathan) · #10 23-06-2013, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

RussellH · #11 23-06-2013, 04:38 PM

Hey,

I'm looking for a setup and seems your original post is pretty close to what i was considering. I understand the recommendation to go with the NEQ6Pro (I'm after external control) but man, that sure bumps up the price from the EQ5Pro.

Can I ask what you were considering in scope options, and why you settled on the ED80?

Thanks.
Russell.