Hi All. First Time Here & I'm Confused :) - Pembs Wales UK

[iLMio Stef]

Hi Everyone,

First off a little about myself, I live in Pembrokeshire Wales UK. I Am approximately 10 miles from the coast and also near a military firing range so not much light pollution. i'm currently in the process of setting up a photography business as well as my other work as a Shift Supervisor on an LNG Terminal & a Crew Manager with the local Fire Service  :angry4:so quite busy, on my spare time i want to be taking and editing both equally images of the solar system. The name iL Mio Photography is taken from the Italian for MY therefore MY Photography. you can check out some of my recent images below if you like. 

 https://www.facebook.com/ilmiophotography

Im hoping to get as much out of the SGL as i'm willing to put in. Which is a lot. My only real attempts of capturing the solar system is with a wide angle of the milkyway and last month the super blood moon with a 600mm F4 canon lens. I will try to post some images on here for you to check out.

So this brings me to a dilemma....... I'm confused  :icon_compress:to the whole Astrophotography subject and have ordered three books so far to read up on the subject.

I currently own a Canon 5dmkiii and would like to use this from the start initially to capture images of our beautiful solar system. moving on eventually to a CCD Mono camera for the deep space stuff. 

Like i said above i live 10 miles from a good spot with minimal light pollution i want to use this location as my main spot to take images. Hence i need to be able to move my equipment. I am quite a meticulous person and if setting up a mount, it will be done right even if it takes hours each time. 

Ok so for the equipment and i need to stress i'm open to suggestions. Please....

i was initially looking for a SKYWATCHER REFRACTOR STARTRAVEL 150 TELESCOPE on an EQ5 EQUATORIAL MOUNT

Bearing in mind i want it for 90% of the time to take images.

I have read and read forums for days saying go with an 80mm ED Telescope as its easier. This is where i'm getting confused i want this telescope and stand to last me for years to come and like i said above eventually updating to a CCD Mono camera and a guider on the side. I want the telescope to be able to capture far away images as well as not so far away images.

Q1 ? Can you get a multiplier to extend the focal range of these things and does it work with a DSLR.

Q2 ? What would be the best set up to get. firstly for the telescope

Q3 ? What would be the best mount i was looking ate either the NEQ5 basic or SynSync

Q4 ? If you had a budget of £1000 - 1500 tops what would you buy for Astrophotography?

I Know this forum is full of the same questions but i feel that i want something to last and i'm not afraid of the unknown or the trial and error and disappointment of failing to get supper sharp images from the get go. i'm used to it lol. Last week only got a new 14mm and decided to do the math in my head to calculate the non star trails to find i was 10 seconds over lol however first exposure to check focus i only did for the correct time so didn't check again.   schoolboy error wont happen again lesson 1  and that was me giving myself a bollocking for getting it wrong.

I hope one or two of you maybe able to shed some light on the subject as i want to get this set up by the 1st of November and sharing images within a week.

Thanks for taking the time to read this epic introduction

Stefan. 

Images taken with Moon 70-200ii f2.8 / prior to BloodMoon 600 f4 / 600 f4 / Moon Day 70-200ii f2.8 +2xMkiii / Milkyway + Stackrocks 24-105 f4

[xtreemchaos]

hi mate and welcome from charl in south wales, great images mate, well done.

[Psychobilly]

HI Stefan Welcome to the forum...

With the camera and lenses you already have I would put more money into the mount  it's the "rock" that your Astrophotography ambitions will be built on...  I would look to go for a minimum of a Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro or even an EQ6 Syntrek and computer control.

I wouldn't worry about a scope for now.... Your 600/f4 will outperform the Startravel 150... Especially if you have a DSLR on the back and control the combo from  a laptop or Tablet with something like APT or BYEOS  and look to go for  a "guided" setup

http://www.ideiki.com/astro/Default.aspx

http://www.otelescope.com/index.php?/page/index.html

Before you do anything - I would get hold of and digest "Making Every Photon Count" by Steve Richards - Our very own Steppenwolf...

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

I have shot nearly all my astrophotography to date with DSLR's  some of the lower end models "modified" for asrto use are superb VFM.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/albums/72157634027115413

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/albums/72157649070680330

I shoot Canon 5DIII , 7DII and Full Spectrum 7DI bodies with mainly L series Glass including the 600/f4L IS USM...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/

Peter...

[iLMio Stef]

hi mate and welcome from charl in south wales, great images mate, well done.

Thanks Charl

Thanks for the compliments on images.... i need to get my head around all this info sharpish i think lol.... is there many from Wales into this BTW?

Stef

[seo]

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL. You've got some really nice work and images

[iLMio Stef]

With the camera and lenses you already have I would put more money into the mount  it's the "rock" that your Astrophotography ambitions will be built on...

I wouldn't worry about a scope for now.... Your 600/f4 will outperform the Startravel 150... Especially if you have a DSLR on the back and control the combo from  a laptop or Tablet with something like APT or BYEOS  and look to go for  a "guided" setup

http://www.ideiki.com/astro/Default.aspx

http://www.otelescope.com/index.php?/page/index.html

Before you do anything - I would get hold of and digest "Making Every Photon Count" by Steve Richards - Our very own Steppenwolf...

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

I have shot nearly all my astrophotography to date with DSLR's  some of the lower end models "modified" for asrto use are superb VFM.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/albums/72157634027115413

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/albums/72157649070680330

I shoot Canon 5DIII , 7DII and Full Spectrum 7DI bodies with mainly L series Glass including the 600/f4L IS USM...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16736484@N07/

Peter...

Hi Peter

The 600mm is not mine im afraid and i dont have 4K to get one. i also found it awkward at f4 to get it all into focus. 

Anyway i see you shoot with the 600mm F4 do you find it ok ? i think its a little out of my price bracket at present and was thinking this will be the only time i will use such a long lens. in all fairness mind i only got lens off my mate an hour before the moon was up so maybe i didnt have time to get used to it.

So would have an opinion on what telescope would suit my needs for astrophotography and if i were to get a 600mm or 900mm focal length can this be increased with a converter or anything if i require it in the future? im going to check out your Flickr account for info i thinks

Stef

[Psychobilly]

I would seriously dip your toe in the water around 300-500mm FL to start with longer FL are going to require and  decent mount and autoguided setup from day one if you are going to get the results you are after...  There are a lot of winter targets were 300mm is plenty of FL...

The vast majority of my telescope based imaging was done with a Megrez 72 and 0.8X Focal reducer so working at 345.6mm and f4.8.. Longer FL is better for  the more distant galaxies .

Peter...

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL.   Great set of photos too. 

[iLMio Stef]

I would seriously dip your toe in the water around 300-500mm FL to start with longer FL are going to require and  decent mount and autoguided setup from day one if you are going to get the results you are after...  There are a lot of winter targets were 300mm is plenty of FL...

The vast majority of my telescope based imaging was done with a Megrez 72 and 0.8X Focal reducer so working at 345.6mm and f4.8.. Longer FL is better for  the more distant galaxies .

Peter...

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL. You've got some really nice work and images

SEO thankyou very much....

Peter do you think with this set up http://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-pro-heq5-pro.htmli would struggle from the off.... i was looking for more 900mm FL's so sort of put myself off a little.

I was looking at an easy option of guider like the auto guider from SW SynGuider and a basic 80mm... would that work cus with the above model i would maybe add this straight away!!

what you think matey... perhaps we need to have a welsh meet on top of the brecons.

stef

[Psychobilly]

I have owned the HEQ-5 Pro  and used an  Skywatcher ST-80 Synguider to guide it...

What's your choice of 900mm FL  for a first scope based on - do you have targets in mind?

The local have a startparty in the next few weeks... checkout the South Wales Valleys social Group...

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/241131-south-wales-star-party-october-2015/page-2#entry2760506

Peter...

[iLMio Stef]

I have owned the HEQ-5 Pro  and used an  Skywatcher ST-80 Synguider to guide it...

What's your choice of 900mm FL  for a first scope based on - do you have targets in mind?

The local have a startparty in the next few weeks... checkout the South Wales Valleys social Group...

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/241131-south-wales-star-party-october-2015/page-2#entry2760506

Peter...

Thanks Peter 

Just posted in there im not working that weekend so could be a chance to talk face to face with some knowledge.

Stef

[glowjet]

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL, your camera work is very nice, lovely images, enjoy the forum

[iLMio Stef]

No No targets in mind peter but i want the best of both worlds with one scope....

I know thats difficult to say peter but i'm not that bad on LR & PS cc so dont mind stiching if required. unless of course you can get like a 2x converter or even a 1.5 or 1.25 and still use DSLR effectively for the longer distances ie pluto etc. im looking forward to the editing side as much as viewing capturing to be honest but if its clear ill be out and if not editing.

stef

I have owned the HEQ-5 Pro  and used an  Skywatcher ST-80 Synguider to guide it...

What's your choice of 900mm FL  for a first scope based on - do you have targets in mind?

The local have a startparty in the next few weeks... checkout the South Wales Valleys social Group...

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/241131-south-wales-star-party-october-2015/page-2#entry2760506

Peter...

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. Lovely images btw. The best idea is definitely to go and talk to people at the star party. In the meantime you can look at the images on the forums. You will see the equipment used to achieve them and this will give you an idea what can be achieved.

[swag72]

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL - Some great images there Well done!

You've not said what books you have bought - If you think that your interest may lie in Deep Sky work (such as nebulas and galaxies) then get hold of a copy of 'making Every Photon Count' from the FLO website in the book section. Something of an imagers bible, it should be obligatory for those wanting to start on imaging (DSO's) - Read it once, twice and thrice then think about what you need and why ...... Then you can spend some money!

Good suggestions so far - The imaging section is a good place to start as it will give you a feel for what people use and what sort of images you want to capture. 

Hope that helps

[Psychobilly]

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL - Some great images there Well done!

You've not said what books you have bought - If you think that your interest may lie in Deep Sky work (such as nebulas and galaxies) then get hold of a copy of 'making Every Photon Count' from the FLO website in the book section. Something of an imagers bible, it should be obligatory for those wanting to start on imaging (DSO's) - Read it once, twice and thrice then think about what you need and why ...... Then you can spend some money!

Good suggestions so far - The imaging section is a good place to start as it will give you a feel for what people use and what sort of images you want to capture. 

Hope that helps

Sound advice especially the bit about reading MEPC before deciding on the kit to purchase.. I wish it had been around when I started out....

Deepsky images need many hours of exposure usually made up of multi minute subs possibly gathered over several nights during which the camera & scope combo has to track the target across the sky with very high precision especially when your working at long FL's... Then the fun begins....

Peter...

[iLMio Stef]

Also i will do an about me;-

Married to nikki and owners of two little Alaskan Klee Kai which are in other forms Mini Huskies

Our life revolves around these two nutters and whenever off with the camera they are right next to us.

Image at Brecon Beacon on jacobs ladder & Presseli mountain & last on the stairs at home 

Thanks for making me feel accepted to the threads/group allready.

Stef

[iLMio Stef]

Sound advice especially the bit about reading MEPC before deciding on the kit to purchase.. I wish it had been around when I started out....

Deepsky images need many hours of exposure usually made up of multi minute subs possibly gathered over several nights during which the camera & scope combo has to track the target across the sky with very high precision especially when your working at long FL's... Then the fun begins....

Peter...

thanks Peter will be looking to order this book as well.. i will post what books in reply to Sara.... i thrive on challenges and if it doesn't work i will be even more determined to get it right. i actually enjoy the editing part as well.

BTW do i have to multi quote every message i'm responding too or will people pick it up if i mention the name ..... sorry dull question i know but you have to start somewhere... 

Hi Stefan and welcome to SGL - Some great images there Well done!

You've not said what books you have bought - If you think that your interest may lie in Deep Sky work (such as nebulas and galaxies) then get hold of a copy of 'making Every Photon Count' from the FLO website in the book section. Something of an imagers bible, it should be obligatory for those wanting to start on imaging (DSO's) - Read it once, twice and thrice then think about what you need and why ...... Then you can spend some money!

Good suggestions so far - The imaging section is a good place to start as it will give you a feel for what people use and what sort of images you want to capture. 

Hope that helps

Sara thanks for the comments books i purchased but not received all yet are:-

Phillips Astrophotography with Mark Thompson The Essential Guide To Photographing the night sky

Getting started Long exposure photography Allan Hall

& Astronomy Now Shooting Stars the ultimate guide to photographing the universe

ill try to look for the imagining section now see if i can find what im looking for. 

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. Lovely images btw. The best idea is definitely to go and talk to people at the star party. In the meantime you can look at the images on the forums. You will see the equipment used to achieve them and this will give you an idea what can be achieved.

Laudropb thanks for the info do i find it under gallery then?

Stef

[Psychobilly]

@stef - Some people use the @username instead of quoting  - whatever works for you is fine ...

Peter...

[iLMio Stef]

thanks @Psychobilly

Ill have to change user name as had a warning off the SGL Police    read the small print lol  

[Psychobilly]

thanks @Psychobilly

Ill have to change user name as had a warning off the SGL Police    read the small print lol  

Yeah no worries ... they aren't that bad honest...

Anyhow got to sort my kit out for a circular trip up through The Black Mountains, Mid Wales to Elan Valley, then down through  Cwmystwyth to the coast at,Aberystwyth, Fish and Chips in Aberaeron and  maybe even a detour to Cenarth falls... Who knows where I will end up...

Peter...

[barkis]

Hello and may I add my welcome post to go with the other Guys Stef.

Lots of well deserved accolades for your Images, and I'm sure we can look forward to many more from you in the future.

 SGL's membership has another fine addition, , and I hope you enjoy it here.

You live in a lovely part of Wales, I had the privilege of staying in Pembroke Dock for almost two years, and loved every moment of it,

and the people too. Great times there.

Best Wishes.

Ron.

[RT65CB-SWL]

thanks @Psychobilly

Ill have to change user name as had a warning off the SGL Police    read the small print lol  

How about... ILMio

[Dave In Vermont]

Greetings and welcome aboard, Stef. It's nice of you to join us. We're a friendly bunch that loves helping to find answers to questions on any of the vast sub-fields of astronomy - so pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

Very good pictures, and clear skies to you,

Dave

[iLMio Stef]

Yeah no worries ... they aren't that bad honest...

Anyhow got to sort my kit out for a circular trip up through The Black Mountains, Mid Wales to Elan Valley, then down through  Cwmystwyth to the coast at,Aberystwyth, Fish and Chips in Aberaeron and  maybe even a detour to Cenarth falls... Who knows where I will end up...

Peter...

Ok Peter 

we will have to keep in touch especially as your a traveller

have a good night