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Newbe from Western New York


Tim99

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Hello Stargazers,

I started looking at the moon when I was about 5 yrs old with my grandfather and his home made 6" reflector.  I gotpost-45511-0-65731800-1435527838_thumb.jpost-45511-0-65731800-1435527838_thumb.j my first reflector- a 3" when I was about 10 yrs old.  Oh those were wonderful times.

I am retired now and have returned to my love of Astronomy.  Bought my first Refractor (80mm ED) and have been taking some pictures through it with my DSLR.  Some pretty great pictures of the moon, I'll tell ya!

Now, I am ready to get a scope for Planetary and Deep Sky observing and photography.  Looking at Celestron Edge because of the somewhat portable package.  But ... what about a large reflector or Dob?  I'm driving myself nuts trying to sort it all out.  haha.

I've been doing lots of reading on the subject and definitely want a large aperture scope.  I'm looking for friends with experience!  LOL.  Before I spend a bundle.

Thanks.  Glad to find this forum

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Hi and welcome to SGL - The difficulty here is that there is no one scope that will do planetary and deep sky photography (Can't speak for visual as I've never done it!) - DSO imaging (my poison....) benefits hugely from a very good mount and a short focal length refractor that places minimal stress on the whole imaging train. If you can get hold of the book 'Making Every Photon Count' - It is something of an imagers bible. Read it once, twice and thrice before spending a penny ...... then think about what you need and why. If you understand the what and why then go ahead and spend, spend, spend!!!!! If you don't...... read it again!!!

That's my 2p worth on DSO imaging - Yes it can be done on other equipment, but make life easy for yourself, you will be grateful for that ease in the long run :D

Can't help on planetary imaging either I'm afraid.......... I'm a bit of a one trick pony :D

Look forward to seeing you around :) Hope that helps.

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Hi Tim and welcome to SGL. Many imagers use the APO or ED 80mm refractor as their scope of choice, if you have a look through the imaging sections I am sure you will find many examples of its capabilities. Sara has mentioned "making Every Photon Count" as a must have, copies reside on the many book shelves of the majority of our imagers, from the very experienced to the newcomers just setting out. If you want to avail yourself of a copy it is obtainable here.. http://www.skyatnightimages.co.uk enjoy the forum and your Photography :)

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The Edge will be fantastic for planetary imaging and DSO observing! Will give you cracking views of the heavens! 

However making SCTs work for astrophotography can be a little daunting in regards to anything other than planets. You'll need a focal reducer (I believe the Edge versions are around £280) or a hyperstar (From around the £600 mark and from what I hear very tricky to use and not for the faint of heart) and a good quality EQ mount (NEQ6 or CGEM should do the trick) 

As I'm rapidly learning there isn't a 'one for all' kind of scope, they all have their strength and weaknesses. 

Good luck in deciding and welcome to the forum, great pics by the way!)

Regards, 

James

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Welcome to The forum Tim.

What mount do you have.

For deep sky your dslr and 80mm ED are a great start.

You just need a ccd guide camera and you could use a finder scope as a guide scope.

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