About mounts

CoFfeX · #1 31-08-2007, 10:16 AM

I've been thinking about investing in a 12 inch dob some time soon.
But I'm wondering how easy and/or costly it would be to get an equatorial mount for it later on down the track if I were to decide on a little astrophotography journey

oh yeah, HI!

leon · #2 31-08-2007, 10:29 AM

CoFeX, there probably wont be a problem doing what you have suggested, however, for a mount that needs to carry a 12" Dob tube you would certainly have to consider something fairy rigid and capable of carrying that weight.

You would need to look at something in the range an HEQ6 or even consider the Losmany G8 or G11, or other mounts capable of the task.

Stability is the key to Astrophotography, and for longer exposures you would have to consider Auto Guiding.

I'm no expert, but that is my view, maybe other members could steer you in the right direction.

The cost could lead to a 1000.00 dollars plus.
Cheers Leon

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 31-08-2007, 10:42 AM

Leon's got it, though G11 would be a minimum for Deep Sky. Check out the avatar of member Photon Collector, he has a 12" mounted on a G11 and does great work.

CoFfeX · #4 01-09-2007, 12:27 AM

Cheers for the wise words

iceman (Mike) · #5 01-09-2007, 06:33 AM

Hi Coffex.

I own a 12" OTA and mount it on an EQ6. You can see a picture of it in my bio.

It is heavy though, and it's a long tube. I don't use it for slewing all about the sky, I mainly do planetary imaging with it so it's just used for tracking once I put it on an object.

Paul Mayo (photonCollector) has similar, but his is on a G11. He does do marvellous deep sky imaging with it.

So, it can be done.

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #6 06-09-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Leon's got it, though G11 would be a minimum for Deep Sky. Check out the avatar of member Photon Collector, he has a 12" mounted on a G11 and does great work.

Yeah, I have a G8, which is great for a small scope, but I wouldn't put anything like a 12" on it.