SkyDave

Thank you @Miguel1983, very helpful, althought the AZGTI mount isn't very appealing to me, I'd prefer to stick with a decent Eq mount. The Skywatcher 127 you refer to, that ís a Mak, is it?  I live not too far from the Polderster group, so I might visit them next week when they have a public evening.

To sum up, I note the following (as I understood)

- Planets and small DSO: go for a Mak or something else that will give higher magnification. Planetary AP should be possible (film or photo?). Longer focal length. 
- Large DSO: go for wide-field scope (so short focal length). For AP purpose: sturdy, proven mount. 

More reading to do...

Hi everyone, thanks a lot for your advise. Here some answers so far...

Very helpful comments, @Cosmic Geofff. I like what you wrote, it gives me more insight in how I should refine my requirements... (and choosing is sometimes a bit of loosing...). Some answers/thoughts in colour in your message...

On 26/05/2019 at 12:47, Cosmic Geoff said:

Your requirements are contradictory - I suggest refining your requirements or looking at multiple setups. Thanks for putting my feed on the ground. I'll have to choose indeed and invest a bit more than what I was foreseeing (and convince my wife). 

Re the mount: portable means lightweight while suitable for astrophotography means solid and heavy. I need to start somewhere, and coming from nearly nowhere, I'm not aiming at the 20 hour illumination in 4 bands type of astrophotography (my free time is not that extensive anyway). That said, it is indeed a good thing to (re)consider what I really would "need" (well, rather a want if you know what I mean).

Nothing wrong with the Meade LX85 AFAIK but I would not have described it as 'lightweight'.  I don't have a full spec for it but with 33bs capacity I get the impression it is on the limit of what I would like to drag outdoors and assemble without assistance. Indeed, after reading a bit more this week, I took it of my longlist.

What kind of astrophotography? Planetary and deep space have totally different requirements. Very good point, I need to clear that out! Actually, I'd love 

Re the scope : portable is easily managed (buy a small one), but multipurpose does not work.  OK That is very clear. Deep space astrophotography points to a small high quality refractor, general observing, depending on who you listen to, means any sort of scope (within reason), planetary observing likewise, while planetary astrophotography seems to require the biggest SCT you can afford and get mounted up.  

The SCTs score on usability - they are shorter and lighter than the equivalent in other designs, the eyepiece remains in a convenient position regardless of where the scope is aimed, and they have a great depth of focal range facilitating the attachment of various accessories. OK, so in terms of quality and so, I'm convinced but my budget and wife may think otherwise... 

@happy-kat, I'm very modest in my gear: I have a (standard) EOS500D, a Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8  and a 50-200 mm standard kit lens (quite slow).

On 26/05/2019 at 15:18, happy-kat said:

Assuming the chosen mount is suitable you can image many DSO using a camera and lens. So what camera and lenses do you already own?

@cletrac1922 Very nice setup you have. I'll have some deeper read into the "reflector" vs "refractor". As also suggested by Geoff, I'd might take a look itnto reflectors, which I have neglected so far, for no apparent reason. I thought they were no good for DSO...

Thanks everybody for the greetings & first advise!
And happy to see a lively community!

C U around...

On 26/05/2019 at 09:00, Miguel1983 said:

Hello Dave !

Is het goedendag ou bonjour ?

Het is goedendag!

Hi,

My 23 year old Meade 4500 4.5" reflector is end of life, so it's time to replace with some new equipment. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the following thoughts. I have a bit of spendable money ($1000-$1500), so I'd buy a new sturdy mount, and a Newton or SCT with larger aperture. Leave some room for decent oculars and other accessories.

Question 1: For the Mount, i have following requirements: 

1. it should be portable,
2. goto,
3. fit for astrophotography,

so I was looking in the direction of the Meade LX85. Is it good, are there better alternatives for this or a lower price?

Question 2: For the OTA, I have some requirements as well:

1. it should be portable
2. multipurpose: fit for astrophotography, fit for normal observing, fit for lunar, planetary and a shot at AP of dso; 

would I be happy with a 8" reflector for a couple of years (compared to the 4.5" newton) or should I save some more and wait for an SCT? I'm not sure what I want/need here...
Put otherwise: what is the added value of the SCT at a higher cost, anyway? (and, which focal ratio?)

I have many other questions, but I'll save those for other topics once I have a clear view how to invest (or spend 😉 ) on my new mount and ota.

Reading suggestions welcome too !!!

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!

Hello,

I just joined SG and wanted to say hi to the community.

Living in a fairly light polluted area, I still want to make the best of a hobby I have for over 25 years: stargazing.
At around my 16th birthday, I bought a Meade 4500 (4.5" reflector of about then 250 euro's (well, still paying in Belgian Francs though) AND I STILL USE IT! I'm 39 right now 🙂 

The Meade 4500 is now at the end of its life: the focusser rail is crumbling, the rails on the mount idem, so it's wobbly and creeky, ... but it gave me 25 years of joy watching the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. I attach my EOS500D trying to make some images of the moon, and once tried filming Jupiter and making a picture out of it (with Deep Sky Stacker if I remember well).

Anyway, it's time to revive my hobby a little bit. Step one is joining this forum. Step two will be asking some advise for a new OTA and mount. Step three will be sharing...

Clear skies!

Dave