Mr Green

The camera does recognise and change the f ratio with a lense attached, just can't be manually adjusted but if "0" is correct, guess there's nothing to worry about. I have the below field flattener at the front of the imaging train therefore assumed a 2" filter would screw into this. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-2-field-flattener-with-m48-adapter.html I also assumed I'd still need the flattener when switching to an astro cam down the line therefore any filters purchased wouldn't be a waste of investment.

Great advice thanks, it probably makes sense to go with the L-Extreme based on what you've said. This would also be a benefit when I finally do move over to a dedicated astro camera. One other thing I forgot to mention is that my DSLR has seen better days and the F ratio is set to 0 and can't be changed due to the adjustment wheel being jammed. I've had no issues getting images of a couple of galaxies but not sure if this would create any issues after adding the L-Extreme filter and targeting emission nebs?

Thanks for the response. I won't be modifying my DSLR, just wanted to know if it's possible to combine what I have with a filter that would provide decent results on emission nebula. If not possible, I'll stick with galaxies, reflection nebs etc until I have the funds for a replacement camera.

Hi All, I've recently got back into the hobby although only used to observe rather than try my hand at imaging. I now have a Sky Adventurer GTI, SW 72ED doublet refractor plus a few other bits and pieces including ASIair plus and guide scope (which I haven't used as guiding is worse than unguided for some reason)... mount perfectly balanced etc.. I've had a couple of short imaging sessions on both the Triangulum galaxy & andromeda galaxy but any attempt on immission nebula has been a complete failure. I think this type of nebula is going to be my main focus and wanted some advice on filters that would work well with an unmodified Canon 500D. I'll probably look at getting a color cooled camera in the future but after spending far too much on getting setup recently, I need to be a little sensible. I'm interested in the Optolong range of filters and just wanted to know if anyone has experience with these and an "unmodified" DSLR. The L-Enhance or L-Extreme seem to be the ones for shooting the targets I am interested in (immission nebula) but not sure if I'd see the benefit over a cheaper filter like the L-Pro. I've read somewhere that polar alligning a stock DSLR camera with certain filters is near on impossible in the ASIair app and this would be off putting for me as Polaris is blocked from where I setup. I think I live in a bortle 7 area BTW. Thanks, Jon

Hi All, just wanted to confirm that I've managed to balance the scope (Skywatcher Evo 72ED) with a William Optics 210mm dovetail. I think a few people have had this issue with this particular scope therefore the link is below as an FYI. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/william-optics-dsd-210-plate.html Although I now have the scope balanced, I haven't been able to use it because of the damn clouds. Below are a couple of images I managed to get processed from earlier in the week and please don't judge, they're my first ever images.

Thanks for letting me know. I don't have the tools to be modifying dovetails so it's good to know that I need to look at alternatives. The askar dovetails look like the best option for me personally. Just need to work out whether 200mm is enough and if 300mm will be too much.

I definitely don't have the tools to be drilling holes into dovetails so will drop a message to FLO and have my fingers crossed they can recommend a solution. In the meantime, today has presented us with clear skies where I am so I'm hopeful to get outside later. No Dec balance will hopefully still let me take some guided images for at least a couple of minutes.... probably not.

I have a couple of tripods somewhere so will check. Moved up North a few years ago and still not fully unpacked. The longer dovetail was what I was thinking of trying but not sure what size I'd need. The one supplied is 12cm and I didn't think that I could use the medium size (21cm) because of there not being enough length on the scope for the tube rings. The above image is very helpful though.... guessing you just use the middle screw holes of the dovetail for attaching the rings and this is the 21cm size?

I'll have a look and see if I can find a longer dovetail online and if I get stuck, I'll ask Alex at FLO which one I need as he's been amazing helping me get setup.

Very kind of you to offer, I'll drop you a pm if I struggle at all with focusing as I wouldn't want you going out of your way. Hopefully I'll manage although dec balancing the 72ed with the dslr attached is impossible!! Very weighted on backend but hoping I'll still be able to image as everything stays put when clutch is tightened.

DSLR is stock but good to hear I should still get some decent results. I don't have a Bahtinov mask, totally forgot to add one to my order so was going to try and focus as best as I could through the DSLR view piece and see how I get on. If it's a struggle, I'll order one. Also need to order an LED light pad for taking flats but was going to try and wing it somehow..... blank white screen on ipad etc

Guiding factored in, I should have been more specific when saying I ordered the ASiair bundle... I'll have the air plus, guide scope and mini camera arriving with the scope and mount. The only thing I've not ordered are filters which I will probably need but I don't expect amazing results from the outset. I'm also not too keyed up on back focus as I'll be using a DSLR with a flattener. If I can't achieve focus or struggle with imaging in any way, I'll be sure to do more studying.... trial and error is all part of the fun!

Evening All, I've decided to go with the SW 72ED, GTi mount, field flattener and a few other accessories including an ASIair bundle. Order arrives on Saturday therefore fingers crossed we have clear skies. I think that this will do me nicely to start with although went over budget.... whoops

I thought that the EQM35 had a higher imaging capacity (7kg) vs the EQ5's 6.5kg. I've seen YouTube videos advising that the Go-To functionality is poor on the EQM35 so guessing that's the reason why it's to be avoided? I'm a little confused as the EQ5's reviews aren't so good on FLO's website vs the EQM35.... Maybe II'll just stick with the Star Adventurer and SW 72ED as per the list I provided in my last message. Any thoughts on my list would be appreciated.

Funnily enough, I can access classifieds as I've been a member since 2009 and was active on the forum at the time. I did see the HEQ5 up for sale but it's collection only and a 600 mile round trip which is too far. The GTi appears to be in the same area which is a shame. I'll stick to the 72ED if anything bigger will be pushing my luck. Below is what I've now come up with to get me started so hopefully sounds like a great option for my max budget. SW 72ED - £329 SW Star Adventurer GTi - £559 12v Power Supply cable - £39 Stellamira 2" field flattener with M48 adapter - £79 M48 camera adapter - £18 SW 9x50 right angled erecting finder scope - £75 Astro Essentials 90 degree mirror diagonal - £19 BST 18mm ED eyepiece - £55 Intervalometer - £15 With shipping, this comes to my absolute max budget of £1.2k. If I have missed anything or anyone disagrees with my list and thinks I should go for the EQM35 over the Star Adventurer etc.... let me know.

The reason why I asked about the 80ED in my last message was due to the scope coming with a diagonal, eye piece & finder scope as part of the package. This would surely make life a little easier having a finder scope and the ability to be able to have visual capability via the eye piece is a bonus. I think the 72ED will be more costly than the 80ED once adding a finder scope, diagonal & eyepiece. If you guys think that the Star Adventurer GTi is a better option than the EQM35 to support an 80ED, I'll go with that as it's cheaper which is a bonus.

Would the Star Adventurer GTI work with the SW evo 80ED refractor or is 4kg for the scope alone too much weight for imaging when adding the DSLR and potentially guide scope/camera in the future? This option along with a field flattener and M48 ring totals my max budget of £1.2k. I always thought I needed the EQM35 as it can image up to 7kg which I don't think I would exceed.

Thanks all for your thoughts and input on the spec that I provided. I wasn't keen on Newtonians but thought that it was a cheap affordable way to get started. It's a shame that the EQM35 isn't recommended, I can't justify the cost of a HEQ5 when just looking to get started. I think I'll do some research on using nothing but a tripod and DSLR and see if that interests me..... I had my heart set on a scope and go to mount but seems its not meant to be. Thanks again for the advice. Jon

It's a shame that the SeeStar S50 is impossible to get hold of unless going on a waiting list for an unknown length of time. I did ideally want to use my camera although must highlight that I don't have a decent lense for it, hence why I am looking at a mount and scope combo. As an attempt to try and nail down a solution within my budget, would the below be enough to get me started or am I missing anything that will stop me from being able to start imaging? SW EQM35 mount - £659 SW explorer 130PDS - £239 12v Power Supply - £39 Astro Essentials T Ring for DSLR - £15 Astro Essentials 2" T Mount camera nose piece adapter - £15 StellaLyrra premium Cheshire Collimating eyepiece - £37 Intervalometer- £15 This all comes in at £1k but I am not sure if I have missed anything crucial and if both adapters are correct for connecting camera or if I'd have what I need for collimation.... Hopefully me being more specific with where my head is at on kit will make it easier to offer advice. Thanks All! Jon

I definitely think widefield would be what I'd aim for as I'm assuming that tracking would be easier and more forgiving on a cheaper mount. With that said, any suggestions for a full kit list to get started would be much appreciated. If a budget around £1k - £1.2k is unrealistic, it'd be much appreciated to be told and put out of my misery haha.

Thanks for the replies so far, I've looked at the ZWO seestar and also the other similar do it all scopes and they're great. I just personally want to utilize my DSLR. With regards to types of pictures I honestly didn't consider this when just starting out. Orion, Horsehead, pleiades & andromeda are the types of things I had in mind... guessing these all require a different setup?

Good afternoon All, I used to have a SW 200p Dob years ago and didn't even realise that I was a member of the forum since 2009 with a few dozen posts to my name. I've not had a scope for what must be 10 years now and the itch returned about a year ago. My experience with the Dob always made me want to take the leap into connecting my DSLR and taking images of DSO's but this obviously wasn't possible with what I had at the time. I'll say from the outset that I probably don't have a realistic budget and I've been speaking to Flo over email who have been incredibly helpful as always. To spread the burden of a complete amateur with the dream of getting into astrophotography, I wanted to request advice on whether its possible to get started on a budget of anything between £600 - £1,000. I realise the lower end of the budget is wishful thinking and I could possibly stretch to £1.2k if I could get "everything" to get started. I appreciate that the mount is the main investment but think that I'd be forced to look at small refractors therefore a low payload for imaging. Please treat me as a complete newbie as I have no idea what I need to connect my camera (Canon EOS 500D) to a scope as an example. It seems to depend on the scope although could be wrong. My current shortlist is below (minus any cables/adapters etc). SW EQM35 pro go to mount SW 72ED or SW 130PDS 12v Power Supply for mount I'm hesitant with the 130PDS and collimating as every tutorial I've watched is different with multiple tools and methods being used... I just get confused the more I look into it. Thank you in advance to anyone willing to take the time to share advice and help me out. I'm on the verge of giving up. Thanks, Jon