Picking a telescope.

haydenc · #1 09-02-2012, 06:04 PM

Hey, I'm new to this forum and I'm just wonder, would a
Guan Sheng GS-630 SDX 8" with a HEQ5PRO goto, be suitable for a beginner astrophotography start, with a canon 60D dslr?

Thanks.

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #2 10-02-2012, 11:31 AM

Thats a good place to start- an 8" newt is good, The F4 needs careful collimation, and you may need an adaptor to get your DSLR into focus.
Once set up you will get some good DSO's and some nice planetary views though.
The best scope is the one the use most!

Graham

Peter.M · #3 10-02-2012, 11:33 AM

I belive the scope in question is F5, but Graham is correct you will need collimation tools.

haydenc · #4 11-02-2012, 08:53 AM

The scope is an F4 i believe. By collimation tools you mean a collimation laser, that you can buy? Do I just need a T-ring adaptor for the focus?

Thanks for all the help!

Hayden.

haydenc · #5 11-02-2012, 09:02 AM

Wait, sorry they come in both. Which should I for, the F5 or F4? Is there a difference?

alistairsam · #6 11-02-2012, 09:37 AM

I'd go the F4, quicker exposures wider field of view, lighter and shorter, bit more tolerant of guiding errors, but does require better than average collimation and a coma corrector.
Secondary size should be 64mm or so.

Not sure if the F5 requires a coma corrector though.
The baader mpcc is a very popular CC, but needs to be fitted 55mm from your imaging chip, I believe there are adapters to achieve this spacing

If this scope is meant for imaging, you should get focus without any mods, best to ask them.

haydenc · #7 13-02-2012, 05:36 PM

Thanks, I'm thinking of going for the f4, what tools do i need that would make collimation accurate?

alistairsam · #8 13-02-2012, 08:30 PM

The cats eye tools are supposed to be amongst the best, but they are a bit expensive, atleast for me.
I'm not sure about the others though. What I've read about are the barlowed laser or the cheshire, but best wait for someone else to comment or search through this forum as I haven't tried any of these.
You could always start with the simple laser collimator and see if you need other tools.

Have you accounted for the coma corrector and the spacer?
A Guidescope and guidecam are also essential but you could get them later on and get started with learning the process first.
If you image from dark skies and your polar alignment is good, you could get away with 1 min subs without guiding as you should get good results with the F4 and 1 min subs. also depends on the target of course.

it'll be worth your while if you some spend time drift aligning or learning to drift align. but don't get stuck at it.
heaps of tutorials here, but concept is simple, point at a meridian/equator star and adjust azimuth for N/S drift, aim for a star in the East and adjust elevation for N/S drift. Both cases, ignore E/W drift.

Backyard EOS is a good software to use with canon DSLR's and has a drift alignment feature as well as a focusing and several other neat features like naming your images.

if you find stars are still trailing, you might have to go in for the guidescope and guidecamera. the mini guider package looks like good value, and quite a few folks here have it.
that should complete your setup and keep you imaging for a good while.

haydenc · #9 14-02-2012, 01:39 PM

I think im going for a laser collimation, as this will be my first scope and I don't think i'll have to money for the cats-eye just yet.

Instead of the Baader mpcc, do you know if the GSO cc provide good results? I don't think i have the money for a guidescope, so I'll try what you suggested

This will be a massive learning curve with it being my first scope and trying to do some photography as well as visual with it. Thanks

haydenc · #10 14-02-2012, 01:44 PM

P.s,

Is there a cheap guide scope that you would recommend?

alistairsam · #11 14-02-2012, 01:49 PM

I bought the baader MPCC from Peter Tan at http://www.tan14.com/Baader.htm price was good, and quick delivery as well.
Not sure about the GSO CC.
I'd suggest you ask the supplier to have the scope collimated before you pick it up and then you make only minor adjustments in case it shifts during transport.
ask them about the spacer as well for the CC to your DSLR.
Whereabouts are you located? if you're in Melbourne, send me a PM as i'll be heading out to some dark skies for a few imaging sessions.
For eyepieces, the GSO 30mm superview is supposed to be good with this scope. not all eyepiece work well at F4.

alistairsam · #12 14-02-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydenc

P.s,

Is there a cheap guide scope that you would recommend?

Depends on where you're imaging from.
if skies are reasonably dark and you're using a sensitive guide cam like the orion SSAG or the qhy5, you could use a 50mm finder. have a look at the classifieds, I bought mine from there.
but any short focal length refractor with 50mm or bigger aperture will do.
the guidecamera is the crucial bit. it needs to be sensitive enough to pickup guide stars, and if it has the st4 port you can use that with your mount and phd. edit, you can also use pulsguiding, bit st4 is pretty easy.
As for the HEQ5, I believe you need the eqmod driver to interface with the PC. I'm not sure, do check that as well.

alistairsam · #13 14-02-2012, 02:00 PM

I'd also suggest swapping the stock straight through finder scope for a right angle one if possible, so much more easier on the neck.

haydenc · #14 15-02-2012, 09:01 PM

I think i might just go wtih the Baader, rather than risking it on the gso cc. I was looking at the Orion SSAG its within reasonable price range as well. Sorry, I live in Newcastle which Is quite a drive from Melbourne unfortunately. Thanks for the offer

Does that eqmod adaptor allow for the guide cam to communicate with the mount for tracking? And does the mod replace the hand controller, for a computer?

Sorry for the late reply, uni orientation as well as working

alistairsam · #15 15-02-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydenc

I think i might just go wtih the Baader, rather than risking it on the gso cc. I was looking at the Orion SSAG its within reasonable price range as well. Sorry, I live in Newcastle which Is quite a drive from Melbourne unfortunately. Thanks for the offer

Does that eqmod adaptor allow for the guide cam to communicate with the mount for tracking? And does the mod replace the hand controller, for a computer?

Sorry for the late reply, uni orientation as well as working

Hi,
For autoguiding, you should be able to use the ST4 port on the Orion SSAG, plug the ST4 cable to your SSAG and the mount's guide port.
Phd will then use the USB connection to your guide camera to send correction pulses via the ST4 port.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=46361
As for what you will choose in phd for the telescope, I'm not sure.

suggest you ask Bintel or andrews if you're getting the mount from them.
If using ST4, remember to get the correct cable for your mount and scope.

The eqmod from what i've read, is a driver to control your scope with your PC using software like stellarium scope or CDC and gives you additional options and features and autoguiding as well.
The EQMOD page is here http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/EQMOD/

Do try and visit your local astronomy club, they'd be more than happy to help and you would get to see how things work first hand or just ask your supplier.

I'm surprised there haven't been many replies to this thread. heaps of people here use the setup you're looking at.