I am very new to astrophotography but have been in photography for a very long time. My question is what setup do you recommend for a beginner. I would like to get something that can handle the moon as well as deep space (eventually). I will be using a DSLR for the photos. I really dont want el-cheapo equipment but something that is good quality and will last me for a long time. So if you can provide some comments and list of equipment / parts or whatever i need that would be great so i can start researching.

Hi Malvey

I am too very new at this and have spent some money last week on some equipment
What telescope & camera are you using
I have been able to get some nice moon shots over the weekend, but I am having trouble with deep space, that is a whole other ballgame which the board members here will help you with, they are very helpful and knowledgeable on the subject

Clear Skies
Gina (Starchild615)

Here is a moon picture I grabbed on my camera/scope tonight

Attached Images

moon21908.jpg (37.7 KB, 16 views)

First of all, what is your budget? You could be looking into spending hundreds, or thousands! Deep sky imaging equipment can cost tens of thousands, or just a few hundred.

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"Eccentric" is just a nicer way to say "schizophrenic".

Hi,
Thank you for the reply. I was thinking of staying around the $2500.00 range or less if possible. I have Leica, canon 40d , 30d bodies which i would like to mount to the telescope eventually.

Maybe that would be enough to get a nice scope and a decent mount and accessories. I do not have a scope at the moment and have never owned one.

I am not expecting to much from the photographs in the beginning as I know how difficult it can be and the good shots only come with experience and practice.

Hi Malevy

I have a horrible scope at the present time, I have an 80MM celestron Nexstar, I am lucky enough to see the Moon and Sun. So I just ordered myself an Orion Skyview Pro 150MM Mak-Cass 6". It cost me with the shipping around $1005.00
My current scope is cruddy, it was $189.00 at a local Costo store and I picked that up about 4 years ago. Planets look like dots in it, so stay away from a cheap scope. Like I was telling another board member, the box for the 80MM showed these beautiful planetary photos on the box and then when you use it you get (ie: Mars) as a pink dot. The telescope I have is a refractor which I am now getting a reflector instead. I had been doing some reading on which scope is best to fit my budget. I made sure I purchased an equitorial mount with tracking, which is important for Astrophotography.

I read that the Mak-Cass scopes are really good. My new scope is due here Friday. I am using a Canon Eos 300D, you have the 40D and 30D which I am reading is great for asrtophotography, so you are set there. Pick yourself up a right angle finder for the camera as well, which generic brands run about 100.00 and the canon brand is 180.00, a remote for the camera is important as well so you dont touch the scope when you snap the photos, I bought the wired one and I should have gotten the wireless. I bought some books, the T Ring and T Mount as well, so this weekend cost me around $1,250.00 to get started between all the equipment and the scope.

Do you also have Adobe Photoshop in your computer, that is needed as well for processing your digital photos, I am learning about stacking. Its pretty fun and this is an interesting hobby and I sure it will be rewarding as well once I learn everything, its going to take some time but I will get there and so will you.

Let me know what scope you buy

Gina (starchild615)

Wow. Then you certainly have enough money for an awesome DSO imaging setup!

First of all, you will need a nice equatorial mount. Preferably a German equatorial mount.

As for the actual telescope, you must realize that there are several types of scopes to choose from. Three basic designs are reflector (usually Newtonian), refractor, and catadioptric (usually cassegrains.) I use a catadioptric Schmidt-Newtonian, a design that is currently only offered by Meade on their LXD75 German equatorial. If you want to do dedicated deep sky imaging, then probably best is a small apochromatic refractor. If you want to do several things, catadioptrics and reflectors are the best all around scopes.

I really can't decide for you, though. The best thing for you to do would be to talk to your local astronomy club and get familiar with different types of scopes.

Basic elements to a deep sky imaging setup: German equatorial mount, main scope, guidescope, CCD camera for automatic guiding though guidescope or illuminated guiding eyepiece (rarely used nowadays), laptop to control mount and autoguiding software, DSLR camera or CCD imager, image processing software, you.

Also, whatever you do, DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THE MOUNT.

If you want to go the old fashioned way, just get a huge reflector on a beefy mount and a manual guidescope, you'll be all set to go. :P

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"Eccentric" is just a nicer way to say "schizophrenic".

Hi,
I was not sure how much all the accessories will cost so that is why i came up with a number like that. I am joining our local club here in las vegas and that will give me a chance to try out different scopes and to learn the differences. Do the mounts usually come with the scopes or are they purchased separately ?

I am excited to hear about your new telescope. I wish i had one coming but i have to wait so i dont buy the wrong one.. the 3 payment method at orion would be great if i knew which one to buy.. are you going to be using a camera with yours ? does the adapter connect where the lens goes ?
I do have photoshop and every other photo program imaginable but i dont use it much as i really get bored with it. I just like to shoot the pictures and maybe a little touch up but thats about it for me. I am not sure what a t-ring and t-mount is yet but I guess i will find out soon enough.

Hi Malevy

Yes I am using my camera with the scope
I used the 3 payment method from Orion, if you are also going to use it, hurry as the offer expires on 2/24 or 25, its great that I can do this in installments.

The T Ring goes on the cameras body where your lens usually is and the T mount screws into the T ring (17.95) my T Mount (39.95) came with a 2X Barlow Lens it, I will attach a picture of the mount and ring so you can see it, the mount goes into the scope, you will need this for astrophotography. Photoshop is essential for processing, I just learned about stacking, I am doing some exercises on line. The Book I bought has a link in it so you can get the books image and learn to stack them, I will also attach that photo ( the photo was not taken by me its just a stacking exercise ). The exercise shows you how to stack and the results are star trails.
My next learning experience will be tracking.
I wish I knew of an online astrophotography course but I cant find one.
If anyone knows of one, please post it for me

Thanks
Gina (starchild615)

Attached Images

	tringtmount.jpg (40.1 KB, 7 views)
	StackingEx1.jpg (67.2 KB, 10 views)

Mounts usually come with scopes unless you buy the optical tube assembly (OTA) alone.

There are two main types of mounts: alt-azimuth and equatorial. An alt-azimuth mount goes up and down, left and right. An equatorial mount is aligned with the celestial pole so that it can compensate for the earth's rotation. For astrophotography you will want an equatorial mount. The most common type is German equatorial, but some alt-azimuth fork mounts can be wedged.

__________________
"Eccentric" is just a nicer way to say "schizophrenic".

Hi,
Now that were on the subject of mounts. Did the one you just purchase come with a mount or do you have to buy it separatly. The 3 month payment is a good deal I would buy probably the same scope i just want to make sure it is something that will grow with me as i get better with astronomy

With Dob mounts buying a scope and mount together is usually a good deal. Even the worst Dob mount is usually very good. Not so equatorial mounts. There is a tendency to under mount these. I've seen too many very shaky newtonians because they were put on mounts way under designed to carry the scope. Good equatorial mounts are expensive and to keep costs down manufacturers of lower cost scopes tend to cut way too many corners on their equatorial mounts. When you see them using the same mount for their 6" through 10" scopes you know the 10" will be in big trouble. Often even the 6" is shaky. For deep sky photography rock solid is a necessity.

One reason Dob's are so popular is the Dob mount is great. Even the best scope is no better than it's mount. I'll take an average scope on a above average mount before I'd consider an average mount for an above average scope. Only if the scope alone was worth the price would it be a deal to consider.

For deep space photography you need a top mount if you want good results. If you are a good tool man you may be able to fight a cheaper mount (but not a cheap one) into submission but it will be a chore. The longer the tube the more the lever arm on the mount and the better it must be. This has caused a strong shift to SCT scopes for astrophotography. The short tube can cut thousands off the cost of the mount, especially for 8 and 10" SCTs.

One way to begin is start with a Dob mounted 8" f/6 and then save for a great mount and move the tube to it. Others with bigger budgets start with the SCT on an equatorial mount if deep sky work is the eventual goal.

Most serious imagers buy mounts and scopes separately. That usually means a very expensive mount in the $2000 and up price range depending on the weight and especially length of the scope put on it. The top ones use mounts more in the $9000 and up range unless using small wide angle scopes. It's not at all uncommon to see the scope (OTA) costing one third what the mount it's on cost. An even greater difference is seen. For serious deep sky imaging the mount can be that important. Obviously not the place to start!!

Rick

Hi Malevy

Yes the mount comes with it
It is an equitorial mount
I will list for you what is included, I am not ready for an expensive mount right now, I want to learn first and then in the future I may buy a more expensive one.
Optical tube assembly
25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (1.25")
10mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (1.25")
90-deg mirror star diagonal (1.25")
Tripod
Equatorial mount
IntelliScope object locator hand controller
8x40 finder scope
Finder scope bracket with O-ring
7.5 lb counterweight
4.0 lb counterweight
Counterweight shaft
Tripod accessory tray
Slow-motion control knobs
Dust cap
R.A. axis rear cover
Latitude adjustment L-bolt
Hand controller cable
Right ascension encoder
Right ascension encoder magnet ring
Declination encoder
Declination encoder magnet ring
Declination adapter
Socket-head cap screws
Encoder-to-encoder cable
Counterweight shaft lock nut
9V battery
Nylon hook-and-loop strip
3/32" hex key
Loctite single-use liquid thread locker
Starry Night special edition software

Thanks

Starchild615,

I am very tempted to buy this scope. Can you send me the link to the exact one you purchased. My only problem at the moment is I just had major back surgery and I am not able to lift more then 10lbs for the next 3 months. I guess my son can setup the scope and move it as needed and hopefully ill be able to lift it in 6 months or so..

To everyone else:

In regards to this being the right scope for astrophotography and a good quality scope I am curious as to what others think about this scope and is it a good choice for someone starting out that wants a unit that will grow with me and be able to handle photography well. What if any upgrades should be done now or in the future to make this a top notch telescope.

Is there something that would be better to buy instead of this. This is alot of money so i just like to hear what others with more experience have to say about this.

Orion Skyview Pro 150MM Mak-Cass 6"

Hi Mal

Here is the link http://www.telescope.com/control/pro...oduct_id=24655

I researched a lot of scopes and this one fit pretty well in the 1000.00 range

the board members here have some really nice scopes and I am sure they are more than 1000.00 I figured I would start out with this one for 1-2 years and then move up as necessary. Another board member advised me that to see the planets good, a 6" or more is essential. I cant see a thing with the scope I have right now which is an old 80MM Celestron. I should have the new scope set up Saturday night as it is due here from FedEx on Saturday morning. BUT my weather forecast for Saturday evening is snow, so no clear skies for me to try it out. But these weathermen in NYC have been wrong this whole winter, lets hope they are wrong again.
I am also purchasing for the new scope an Oxygen III filter because I live in the worst light polluted area you can get, NYC.

I am also wondering if Orion is the same company as Celestron, if anyone knows that answer please post

Thanks
Gina (starchild615)

No, they are not the same company! I believe they were both bought by Chinese optical giant Synta, but I could be wrong on one or both. Last I heard, Celestron SCs (and some of their other top line scopes) are still made in the USA.
Orion sells many Celestron scopes both as Celestrons and under their own name.

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T. Anderson

Hello,
Im sure you will be more then happy with the new scope. I cant wait to see pictures of it when you get it setup.

I spoke with our local club here in Las Vegas and they advised me to attend a few meetings and try out some scopes to see which type i really like. Its probably a good idea since I have never owned one and I want to make sure i get something i really will enjoy. They even have some used ones that are like brand new for sale - about twice the price of what i wanted to spend but at least its an option. I can tell you that from being a Leica camera dealer for many years that the quality of the optics is very important.

I dont know if orion and celestron are the same. I wouldn't think so but then again i really have no idea. I was thinking about becoming a dealer for celestron since my sales rep for leica was asking me if i was interested in it a few months ago but i just never pursued it. Hey we could all get there scopes at wholesale prices .. hmmmm anyways still curious to hear what others have to say about the orion scopes for astrophotography. Maybe we will get some advice tonight.

What would be the next step up from the Orion Skyview Pro 150MM Mak-Cass 6" that you just purchased ?

Only 3 more days until your scope arrives. isn't waiting for packages the worst. Sometimes ill pay the extra $$ to