Alien 13

Difficult one to compare, what is true is that camera manufacturers dont put in IR cut filters etc for fun or to be awkward, there is a reason which is due to the camera lens its likely to be used with.  I cant comment on Fuji cameras specifically but even with the canon range the Ha sensitivity difference between models is certainly significant but still limited by what a lens can handle.

The reason that Canon and to a lesser extent Nikon are the most popular for AP is down to third party software availability which is in some cases critical.

Alan

23 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Well, if you've got a counterweight rod like the following image:

You could get a green laser sight and use the rifle barrel clamp to attach it to the rod.  You may need to wrap something incompressible around the rod to build it up the correct diameter for the clamp (1 inch).  That's how I attached one to the handle of my DSV-1 alt-az mount.

I have several laser gun sights, all at reasonable prices and all with micro adjustments with the ability to mount on most things not just my pistols and rifles..

Alan

2 minutes ago, Toaster05 said:

Canon's naming system for their camera products is utterly bewildering.

I'm finally get my head around it but it's a bonkers system. I'm sure if you are in the ecosystem you just get it but as an outsider looking in its pretty awful!

Its simple realy, the fewer the digits the better the camera and the higher the number in the range the newer it is.

Alan

+1 for the 60D, the usual recommendation for a starter camera used to be the 600D but since the release of the 60D upgrades i.e. the 70/80/90D the used price has become very attractive and its a whole lot better in build and performance over any of the ****D or ***D models...

Look at WEX and MPB photographic for used bargains with decent warranty etc.

Alan

Palms of the hands always work for me, equal pressure is the key but if you must try something else then a pair of table tennis bats....

Alan

The Canon 60/70/80D range are all good cameras for AP, the older 60D has video crop mode for Lunar/Planetary imaging and Canon even made a dedicated Astro camera based on it with the 60Da.  The 80D has much better noise performance than the others so holds its price well, it also can be fully operated over wifi if one wishes. All three cameras also use the "pro" LP-E6 batteries as per the 5D/6D/7D range which last for ages.

Alan

I do like my 70-200mm f/4 L and have found that its fine for AP wide open but I usually only use the 100-200mm range for that. It is however very useful as a walkabout lens for daytime shots or video.

Alan

Another happy Coowoo user here, mine fits my lenses and is long enough to wrap around my C90 Mak too and has three power settings.

I like my rig to be self contained so the Canon camera is self powered, the EQ3-2 and dew heaters run off 5.2V mobile phone power banks... 

Alan

I would look at the 450D, 550D and the 600D as good entry level cameras especially if you are considering any AP with it, the 600D has the flippy screen which will be a big benefit when focusing with your Mak.

Alan

9 hours ago, Gazereths said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but do you have any pictures of the mods you've made and how you did them? I'm all about modding stuff to get the best possible performance out of anything.

I think the newer versions of the Celestron C90 have (mine has) a matt black focus tube as standard rather than the shiny plastic one on the Skywatcher version so modification is unlikely to show major improvements.  Flocking the main tube should help especially if you can get hold of some "vanta black" or similar material/paint that is available now.

Alan

Most EQ mounts have a threaded counterweight bar so a simple adapter to a camera ball head for your DSLR should work..

Alan

The laptop in a box can work well and if its going to be realy cold try one of those heated pet cushion thingies..

Alan

2 minutes ago, Philip R said:

To get a Panasonic ToughBook CF-19 with a good spec. and running Windows 10, you are looking at least a minimum £1000 for refurbished. As the CF-19's do not include a built-in optical drive, you may need to consider buying an external one as well, unless you already have access to one. 

I have a CF-19 Mkll running Windows Vista (Business) and two Linux distro's on the HDD, though I am planning on getting a larger capacity HDD and RAM in the next few weeks/months.

Mine has survived a one metre drop onto a solid surface a few years ago. It is still working OK, including the LCD screen and HDD.

<--- Panasonic ToughBook CF-19

Nice, never found a lack of optical drives on a laptop an issue, one less thing to go wrong and more space inside for important stuff like extra HDD/SSD drives.

Alan

5 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

not on the panasonic range  nearly had a heart attack at the prices. Have you looked at the stellarmate/astroberry route with the  Raspberrypi4 

I agree on the panasonics but worth every penny if thats what you need...I too would look at your suggestions as well as one of those fan-less mini PCs.

Alan

14 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

Normally laptops like a temp of between 10 and 35 degrees C unless the toughbook versions i.e outdoor throw it around type Mil spec etc..

So true, laptops are realy indoor devices... I do like the toughbooks though had to buy 20 for a military project I was managing and  got to play with install software on, was so sad to let them go.

Alan

I dont think that they have invented a scope yet that isn't a series of compromises.. 

Refactors get very heavy with size meaning very expensive mounts for the realy big ones..

Maks are probably closest to refractor performance and easy to mount but size is limited and comes with the dreaded cool down.

Newts are biggest bang for the buck but get unwieldy with size and of course those dreaded spikes.

SCT scopes overcome some of the size limitations and cool down issues as well as being easier to mount but is it a case of one compromise too many?

The new breed of classical cassegrains and similar designs that are very popular at the moment that look to be a threat to all the other types.

Alan

5 hours ago, Jiggy 67 said:

I like that, do you have a link to that particular case?

Cancel above, found it 

Noooo would love to see the link..

Alan

3 minutes ago, BogdanMD said:

Thanks a lot, this seems to be the way to go! I'll also get the bigger mount (Star Adventurer 2i). This will be my late Christmas present, I knew I was saving money for something, should have expected it would go this way. 

Sounds like a good plan to me..the lenses will be useful for daytime stuff too which is always a bonus.

Alan

7 minutes ago, wxsatuser said:

The Canon 200mm f2.8 is a nice lens.

If you get a really good one f2.8 is achievable.

Agreed, at f2.8 the aperture would be 71 mm ish, thats telescope country 

Alan

Just now, bsshog40 said:

Very nice pic! I think the 600 series of Canons were more designed for astrophotography. The pic I took is on my tripod that really can't handle the weight of the scope and camera. Hoping the new mount will help. Yea, it was 2 reasons that I bought the C90. One was for a quick look at the moon and such and the other was for a spotting scope at the gun range. 

The tripod is critical to good Lunar images as is remote shutter release and mirror lock up if you have it.. The sky conditions have a big impact too, some days it will be impossible to get a good image. 

I would also always use live view X10 for final focus adjustment even though it can be tricky hitting the sweet spot.

Alan

I have the C90 and find it very versatile, extremely good on Lunar as well as being truly grab and go...I also use it for daytime shots and it would make an very effective white light solar scope (with the appropriate front mounted solar filter).

This is one of mine taken with a Canon 650D, single shot with a play in Photoshop.

Alan

5 minutes ago, Hals said:

This is an unmodded Canon 80D image, stock camera. Is a modded camera needed, no of course not...but it is desirable. It all depends on what you want to get out of the hobby. Initially I was like you, happy to get anything. Now...not so much 😉🤣

Nice, I would add that not all Canon cameras are created equal regarding Ha response...I would always try first before going down the modding route.

Alan

Very nice, the cloud looks a bit like a Klingon war bird in the process of de-cloaking..

Alan

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM is probably the best option for wide field although the kit 18-55mm STM is good too. 

I agree with alacant regarding adapters, any of the std M42 to EOS will be fine provided they specify infinity focus, you might even be able to get a "chipped" one but check that your 60D is included in the details.

Alan

I think every scope has its uses, you certainly cant see things in a 30 inch dob that you can see with the 6 mm scope in your eye and vise versa.

Real science can be done with tiny optics, remember the Russian meteorite that was tracked by security/dash cams..

Alan