New scope

[paul f. campbell]

Hi I am getting ready to buy my next telescope and Camera.
The scope I have chosen is the Vixen VMC200L with the GPDS 2 mount/tripod with Starbook. The camera is a Pentax K-100D. Can/would anyone please let me know what they think of of picks. Thanks Paul.

[RickJ]

It certainly will be a big step up from your ETX 125, especially mechanically. Should be a good planetary scope. I know nothing about DSLR's so can't comment there. I've not used the mount but it should be a big improvement on the ETX and super for planetary work. My general rule says it might be a bit light for deep sky imaging with that scope. Camera and scope would only come in a couple kg below its max weight. My experience with other mounts has been that that is cutting things a tad thin for major deep sky imaging. For casual deep sky it should be fine. The short tube will help it cope with the weight as the lever arm is short. I don't know how concervatively Vixen rates its mounts. Maybe others who have experience with the mount will chime in.

I've only had a short time to work with the scope but it certainly looked like a winner the short time I used it. It easily beat the two 8 SCT scopes in the field that night. I can't recall what the mount was. It wasn't a Vixen is all I can recall.

Rick

[paul f. campbell]

Hi Rick.
Thanks for the imput. Yes this is a major step for me, I looked at the rest of the 8 inch field and I think this is the best. I am going with an 8 inch scope because of medical issues. Thanks again for your imput.

[victor003]

I just got the Pentax K-100D you mentioned last month, I took this camera on a trip to Europe and found it to work really, really well. The shake reduction was perfect for our visits to dimly lit museums. The flash also works well when you need it, and it doesn't overexpose your images.
And I found it drop a lot on some deal sites
http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=77219&ru=290
The 18-55mm lens is really good for a kit lens. At 18mm, I found that I could usually get a decent picture of a building or room. It worked great for scenery too.

[paul f. campbell]

Hi Victor003.
Thanks for the info and the link. Clear skies to you Paul