Hi SGL,
I've been imaging with a Newton 8" on a EQ6-R Pro for quite a while now, using a OSC, the 6 megapixel QHY8L. Here are some results, just for you to see where my level is at (and we always like to share our work anyway eh?!)
I'm taking the next steps in this wonderful (and sometimes frustrating) hobby. The budget is around 4000 dollar/pound.
The need:
I have developed a special interest in nebula and wider field targets (like Horsehead, Heart/Soul, Rosetta, M42, M45, larger clusters, etc)
I want to up my game, by getting more and finer detail in my images and don't like the collimation process too much to be honest
I would like more control over the colors and being able to, for example, pull out more detail on Ha, OIII and SII spectra. Also I'd like to play with the Hubble palette
Easier guiding by reducing focal length
Therefore, I've decided to get an APO refractor for the first time, in the range of 400-600 mm (to complement my 1000mm Newt). To keep a good pixel size and do narrowband imaging, I also need a new camera, and I'm kinda set on a mono CMOS, the QHY163M with 36mm filterwheel with LRGB, Ha, OIII and SII filters. That's 2000 dollar/pound spend.
As for the scope, I thought, why not get the best of the bunch within the 2000 dollar/pound price range: the F5.5 Esprit 100ED? I've been pretty much set on this beauty and have already placed a pre-order.
BUT, then I saw this review by Astrobackyard on an interesting new scope, the RASA 8", which is 400mm at F2!!!! His review was very positive (like most of his reviews to be honest) and I was blown away by the speed. I live in Denmark and getting long subs in is sometimes a problem with clouds and fog/dew, but then again, I'm not in a rush with this hobby to be honest. The price is similar, but the light gathering of the RASA is so much better on paper. I know there is some tricky focusing because of the speed, and you can't attach a filter wheel, but using 60sec subs instead of 10 minutes ones more than compensates for this and you can do mono with a filter drawer right? The thing is however, I can't find really amazing images from this scope (or it's bigger brother the 11") on astrobin, while the Esprit 100ED comes up with a lot of pretty, fine detail images; the stuff I'm after. Ease of use also is a big deal for me, I love fiddling around during the day and home, not in the field.
It's a first world problem, but what would you do in my situation?
(btw, I'm not interested in using the new scope for visual btw)