Skyline

RC scopes are all used for galaxy imaging, but for ease of use my own preference would be a long focal length refractor or a smaller camera chip.

I am currently using a celestron 100ed with a tsred279 reducer which brings the scope down to f7.1 coupled with the ASI294MC Pro with my heq5 pro.

You can easily run something like a 6" f5 newt with other imaging kit on the heq5.

I think having anything above a 6" reflector without modifications to your mount is overkill IMO.

Another option is to use a camera with a smaller chip, like a Atik 314L+, ideally the more longer focal length with this camera, the better resolution. 

Certainly a longer focal length scope. What camera and mount will you be using?

In smaller apertures maybe, as you go bigger its becomes more apparent.

The old William Optics ZS66SD - White trim model with black focuser was equipped with FPL51 glass but the mating element must have been a good one as there was no bloat or any blue cast around the stars. 

Similar results I found with the SW ED72, wonderful optics no blue casting around the stars but the build quality could be better.

Other options are on the market, but I am still weighing up should I need to buy another scope?

That's why I stuck with my Celestron ED Refractors and probably still will.

You could really have a good refractor optic with glass other then fpl53 so long as the mating element(s) are of good optical quality and correction  as well.

Take for example the WO Megrez 72, the original design of the scope belonged to long pern (probably still does). It was equipped with FPL51 with another glass element but showed some blue  bloat around stars in images (I know because I had one).

Another telescope manufacturer now manufactures them with a modified lens cell which does not pinch the optics with FPL53 and NBM51 glass, looking at the test images there's now no blue bloat and more likely better now for the optics to handle using a scope with a quality reducer bringing the scope down to f4.7 from f6.

It's all swings and roundabouts. Marketing Hype is included for free !

Just my 2pennies worth.

Don't use a laser collimator and be prepared you might have to invest further. 

Just the facts.

I would not bother with the SW 0.85x reducer, if you can afford it go for something like a 0.79x TSRED279 from TS. I recently done an image using a heq5 pro with my Celestron C100ED with the TS reducer at f/7.1

A 4" scope without a central obstruction with better contrast then my 130PDS.

The quality 4 element reducer gave a nice image of the M3 Globular cluster.

2 hours of data at 180sec subs no calibration files were used.

Zoom into the globular.

These are either pinched optics (send the scope back) or reflection of the spacers in the lens cell which is not a bad thing, depends how crucial you want to be with your images.

Usually with pinch optics the stars look more triangle.

Do you see these when a dew strip is fitted ?

Can't comment on the bloat I'm afraid. 

Is it not better to be oversampled then under sampled ?

2 hours ago, johninderby said:

The Skywatcher Ed100 f/9 can be picked up quite cheaply and not that expensive new and not too heavy.

I find my StellaMira 80 just hits the sweet spot for me. Not too big and has great optics and build quality and when looking through it it feels bigger than 80mm. Definately a keeper. 🙂

There's an equinox 100ed on ab&s atm.

Mainly a Celestron C100ED f/9 for visual or planetary work, I love the quality of doublelet optics and no CA.

I use my 130PDS and C80ED for mainly imaging.

Yes I ordered an item, after a week it has landed on our shores from Sweden - via Postnord.

Now have to wait delivery from Royal Mail.

I Have the 130PDS on the heq5 mount on a pier with ASI294MC pro and guide scope. 

Certainly not like a 200m like a sail. Far from it actually.

Have you looked at ZWO OSC Cameras? I went from a Canon Modded 1100D after 5 years to a ASI294MC Pro. 

It's a very sensitive camera and a lot cleaner in noise then the 1100D with set point cooling.

Just a general question really, thinking of your backotders, to be fair looks like I might have to wait until your Backorders are fulfilled before I order.

How much % ?

I sold an item to a person,  5 days later they have asked for a refund as it has not arrived. Even though the tracking number indicates is still processing through their system.

I did insist that delays are more likely to Covid-19 and for them to wait a little longer before IU grant them a refund.

I gave up using laser collimator's long time ago regardless how fancy the name is. Now I am using a 2" collimation eyepiece for the secondary and a chesire for the primary, not since have I had bad collimation.

N.

Yes Steve, thanks for giving us the heads up. Like with anything at the moment think twice or thrice before I buy.

Would love to buy a few things, need to have a think now!

2nd image is a lot better. I am quite keen on the camera your using Mick ? What is it a 314 perhaps?

Nadeem.

That's a nice image mick, have you tried adjusting the hue/saturation as it looks quite purple.

Nadeem.

Record sales can only be a good thing. 

I had a wonderful imaging session last night.

Wow - what a difference in seeing conditions, from the reduction of Air Traffic.

Never seen the sky better.

Have you noticed a difference?

Nice scope, for a cheap price

On 18/03/2020 at 17:00, Dr_Ju_ju said:

If you want to only take images, have you tried ASICap or ASIStudio....

I don't think ASICap is used for dso imaging I have look at ASIStudio.