Icesheet

Yeah, I see their ACL 200mm lens is probably more of a RedCat competitor. Interested to see how it compares to my Samyang 135. Also looking forward to see how it does with a 1.25” star diagonal attached. Since it’s modular I’m hoping it will be a very compact travel companion. 

Probably right. I’ll find out anyway as I couldn’t resist temptation and ordered one 🙈

11 hours ago, blinky said:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/705428-new-askar-fma180-180mm-f45-multi-function-astro-ota/

I see there’s some discussion there about their quintuplet apo too. Be interesting to see how that pans out. I believe there’s been problems with those designs in the past. 

Ah, I’m not on FB anymore. I did see the lens on their product page too. Looks like some interesting stuff. 

I’ve been looking for a compact scope that could double as an astrograph and terrestrial spotter and came across this. As far as I can see it’s manufactured by SharpStar

http://www.askarlens.com/index.php/wap/class3/186.html

It’s not what I was looking for to be honest but I’m interested now. It doesn’t say what the ED elements are so I’m guessing not FPL-53. Maybe someone can explain the spot diagrams, is it regarding colour correction?
 

Anyone know anything about this? Potential RedCat competitor?

It’s available at Teleskop Express. I feel the urge to pull the trigger on this!

I can’t say anything about any of the scopes personally but perhaps you should think of what exactly you want from wide field. 
 

Your 150PDS is 750mm FL I believe? The 80ED is 600mm native. Not sure what the FF/reducer brings it to but maybe it won’t be as wide as you want?

The Evo72 and Zenithstar are 420-430mm native. With reducer you’re probably at 300 something. That will open up a whole lot more to you. 
 

You should check what you can frame with each of them and your camera. Will maybe make the decision a bit easier!

http://astronomy.tools

11 minutes ago, Adam J said:

In respect to the Esprit 100 on galaxies it depends on your definition of not great....

What camera did you use for that Adam?

50 minutes ago, robhatherton said:

Some spotting scopes like the Celestron regal take 1.25 Astro eyepieces so I’m sure you could attach a camera. 

The Regal M2 80 was another on my list. It’s whether it would be suitable for imaging like @Ricochet says. 

I think I’ll probably go down the small Ed doublet route. Should give me a nice balance on both fronts 

Actually the Pentax 65ED and 80ED were on my spotting scopes list. Not actually sure how spotting scopes would do for imaging though. 

1 hour ago, KevS said:

One of the things you have to bear in mind is do you intend to remain in one spot or are you mobile. For most terrestrial use a 80mm spotting scope is overkill, especially if you are carrying it the tripod and other kit for a day out twitching; although you can buy specific backpack type carriers to alleviate the load. I have a 85mm Zeiss that very seldom leaves the house for that reason. I have a 65mm Vanguard HD, which is of reasonable quality that is the go to workhorse for a day out walking and mobile twitching, but even that starts to grate after about 5 miles or so. 

I will mainly be observing from one spot but I did want it to be compact enough to take on the occasional trip either for spotting or imaging. Maybe you want to let your Zeiss go! 😉

2 hours ago, Alien 13 said:

The trouble is that even a small 70mm frac will require a 2 inch correct image diagonal (which are as rare as hens teeth) to get decent low magnification views so it might be better to get a dedicated imaging scope and a pair of binos.

Alan

I’ve been down the bino route, with a pair of Swarovski EL’s no less. The optics were first class but the 8.5x just didn’t cut it for what I was observing. I’ve also bought a second hand pair of 100mm BT binos but that’s not turned out as planned and  I’m ready to cut my losses there. 
 

I can live with left/ right inverted  images as long as they are the right way up which is what I believe I will get with the 2” star diagonal I already have. I know I’m compromising whatever I do really. 

Hi @cavelltodd and welcome to SGL!

I have no experience with reflectors for astrophotography but there are numerous people on here that have great success with them. Search for SkyWatcher 130 and 150PDS in particular as there are extensive threads on these two. I know Synta manufacture for SkyWatcher and Orion so there is a good chance they are fundamentally the same scope. Just double check you can get prime focus with a DSLR on yours. You will also likely need a coma corrector to get the most of your imaging circle, especially with a DSLR which typically have bigger sensors than dedicated astro cameras.

Again I’m not familiar with the mounts you mention but they appear to be the same as SkyWatcher’s HEQ5 and EQ6 models. These are regularly recommended to people starting out in astrophotography so you’re on the right path there. The Atlas is probably the better bet in the long run if the extra $ isn’t an issue. If you are serious about getting into astrophotography I would consider getting the mount even before the DSLR. 

If/ when you do get a DSLR try and get one with some lenses included. This really would be the best way to start taking images of DSO’s. The shorter focal lengths will be a lot more forgiving and a lot less frustrating when starting out, speaking from experience!

It’s a steep learning curve, even more so with a reflector I would imagine but stick at it. There’s plenty of resources and support on here when you need it and good luck 😊

1 hour ago, Moonshane said:

How can it be waterproof?

Most good spotting scopes these days are weather sealed and purged with nitrogen. 

@Philip R I did consider an SCT/ Mak but that was too much of a compromise for imaging. Too long FL and asking too much of the small mount I would use. I do have plans for a bigger SCT in the future though. Would love to do some serious planetary imaging. 

 

10 minutes ago, robhatherton said:

A decent Ed spotting scope would of course be waterproof if that matters. 

I’m more of a fair weather spotter so while being waterproof would be nice it’s not vital. I would rather get more in terms of my optics. 

10 minutes ago, Moonshane said:

Bear in mind you will need a correct image diagonal (prism) for terrestrial use or your image will be left right reversed. Maybe this is not an issue though for stated use.

Yeah, I read about that. I think I’ll get my head round it and I will just be scanning landscapes mostly so either way I don’t think I’ll be fussed. 
 

That looks like a nice set up @Highburymark. Wouldn’t mind your view and climate too! You don’t mind the 90deg diagonal for terrestrial stuff then?

Yeah I’ll be looking at an ED model as I’ll be using it for imaging too. I’m thinking the SkyWatcher EvoStar 72ed could be the way forward. The OTA and reducer/ flattener would be in budget. 

Actually it will mostly be used for views out over water. To some islands a couple of miles away and a distant glacier. I’m curious to know how far you’ve been able to push it when looking out over water? I suppose early in the morning or later in the evening is best

As the title says I would like a scope that can be used for terrestrial observation and for astrophotography. I know there is no solution that is ideal for both and that I will be compromising somewhere. I initially set out to get a spotting scope and a small astro refractor but ultimately that will cost more than I want to pay (~£500). 
 

So I’m wondering how many here use their small refractors for terrestrial observation too and how it stacks up against a decent spotting scope if you have one? I’m thinking along the lines of EvoStar 72ed, WO Zenithstar 61 etc. 

Edit to add: 

I already have a 2” star diagonal with 1.25” adapter and various eye pieces so I’m covered in that department. Would take recommendations on a good zoom eyepiece if any though!

Thanks! I’ll fire a message off if I’m having issues 👍🏻

Thanks Peter. I also got some instructions from another source so I’m going to give it a go myself... if that doesn’t work out,  I think your link may come in handy!

I took a punt on a second hand pair of 100mm semi apo binoculars. They were going for ~£200 with a half decent, although probably unsuitable tripod. They are branded ‘Astro’ which I believe is a Danish optics company, however they appear to be the same as the APM branded 100mm semi apo 45deg. 
 

I now have them and tested them and they are clearly out of collimation. I’ve never had to collimate anything before so hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Picture of the binoculars posted also. 

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with landscape astrophotography with a cooled CMOS? I'm off to Utah later this year and I'm wondering if I should consider pairing my 14mm Samyang lens with my ASI1600mm instead of my DSLR. If anyone has any examples I would love to see them!

I had a pair of these and let them go which I regret now. There was quite some discussion about this on the bird forum. However, at their price point the optics compete with the top of the line compacts binos so I guess they had to cut costs somewhere. For me that is evident in the slightly cheaper housing, lack of accessories and narrower FOV. That is something well worth living with if you don’t want to shell out nearly 3x more on the Zeiss Victory or Swarovski CL compacts. There were a lot of suggestions where to pick up suitable accessories at a reasonable cost. Enjoy them, great little bins!

Check this video posted on Twitter. He claims they would only be visible at dusk and dawn 🤔

5 hours ago, knobby said:

It guides my reduced 72ED ok, about 335 mm

Thanks good to know 👍🏻