Check list for DSO imaging

[stargazerlily]

Hi everyone,

I appreciate that getting started with DSO imaging has been covered at length on the forum ... and yes I have used the search option to get some information ... but sometimes there is just too much information returned by the search and it takes for ever to read each returned post for that one bit of critical information that I'm looking for.

I was wondering if a sticky thread or equivalent could be set up that simply lists what minimum equipment is required for DSO imaging.

For example, I have the following:

SW150PL - blue tube

SW200P - black tube

Canon 1000D

Canon T Piece

Bahtinov mask for 200P

A check list could show me that I'm good to go with either scope or that I need a 2" nose piece for my 150PL etc etc.  Perhaps such a list already exists ... sorry if it is already there but I've not found it using the search tool (perhaps someone could provide a link).

Just a thought

Thanks

Pete

PS: In my case, what extra equipment do I need?

[Carina Lass]

Eq mount?

guide camera?

laptop?

[D4N]

I think there is no checklist because it's not as simple as that I'm afraid.

There is more than one type of DSO and a scope that is good for doing the tiny planetary nebulae will be bad for doing larger nebulae that can be much bigger than the moon.

At F8 the 150PL is a bit on the slow side for DSO imaging, the 200P being F5 is the better choice.

It's a big scope though so a HEQ5 would be needed as a minimum.

Is your camera modded?

Have you got a coma corrector?

You may also need a LP filter.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[blueangel]

It never ends. Next stop, an observatory so you can leave everything in place and ignore the first five checklists. :-)

[VikN46]

Coma corrector and M48 ring adapter for the camera

[hjw]

I guess there would be any number of lists each with a different level of sophistication

Option 1. Camera (DSLR) on a barndoor mount, a motorized camera mount like the SW Star Adventurer or the iOptron Skytracker, or another tracking device like the Pentax O-GPS1 (that's what I am using). Allows tracking in the sub 1 minute range which is good enough for some brighter objects.

Option 2. (my current aim - and a lot more expensive) A motorized EQ mount (preferably HEQ5 or equivalent and up), a short focal length refractor (SW ED80), a T-ring for the DSLR and a T-adapter and a portable power source.

From option 3 on I am out of my depth: but obvious improvements are: a modded DSLR or a CCD camera, a guiding scope, guiding camera, control computer, set of filters, better scope, better mount, larger scope for smaller targets, pier, observatory shed, payload on a space shuttle.... The sky is the limit!

It's a long and expensive road - to be taken one step at a time.

[stargazerlily]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Yes ... I totally agree about it not being as simple as my original post implied.  Perhaps I should have asked the question the other way round and said what type of DSO I was interested in (e.g. wide field or galaxy clusters etc etc).

I do have a motorised mount (HEQ5) and a laptop and I fancy taking images of M42.

Cheers

Pete

[stargazerlily]

Coma corrector and M48 ring adapter for the camera

Hi VikN46,

Thanks for your reply.  Which Coma corrector would be most suitable for my SW200P?

Cheers

Pete

[ollypenrice]

For M42 the most important bit of kit is Photoshop! 

Well, OK, a scope, camera and mount might come in handy but the high dynamic range does need some processing!

Software and knowledge of how to use it is fundamental to DS imaging.

Olly

[stargazerlily]

For M42 the most important bit of kit is Photoshop! 

Well, OK, a scope, camera and mount might come in handy but the high dynamic range does need some processing!

Software and knowledge of how to use it is fundamental to DS imaging.

Olly

LOL ... thanks Olly.  For a moment back there I thought I just needed Photoshop :)

[ronin]

Where does Patience come on the list ?

[Aussie Dave]

and where do you buy this Patience?? I'll take 5 for starters.

[JemC]

And what about clear skies  , I see that's not been mentioned

you could also get your hands on "Making every photon count" and have a good read of that, the site sponsor FLO sell it, it comes highly recommended.

Regards