Gimboid

Heya, Welcome to SGL  

On 15/11/2019 at 12:17, Adam J said:

You dont need a guide scope over 50mm aperture  / 200mm focal length unless you are guiding a imaging scope of more than 1000mm focal length. 

Anything bigger is a waist of money and more importantly weight. 

The Skywatcher EVOGUIDE 50mm is a great permium option, but I have used this for the last 5 years with perfect guiding results:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-Deluxe-Guide-Helical-Focuser/dp/B00B1N7576/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=50mm+guide+scope&qid=1573820385&sr=8-23 

So what mount do you have and what imaging scope / camera are you using?

Adam

 

I haven't got anything yet....  well, that's not exactly true.. I have a SW150pl on a EQ3-2 mount however that's going up for sale shortly and then I will start to look around for the best bargains I can find to put a suitable kit together for AP..  I bought the current equipment a year or so ago, haven't hardly used it and still a complete beginner but after only a couple evenings playing around, reading up online and looking through these ere forums I quickly decided that it's AP I want to get in to and ofc realised I don't really have the best gear to start with.  So basically starting from scratch besides a cheap canon 1100d I picked up recently.  Only reason I picked this scope was because I came here and was told just like pretty much everyone starting off.. buy this book.. so, bought book and was simply going on the advice within... It recommended the 80/400 scope and as this seemed very similar to the SW version I wondered if good value as a starter....  at the mo I haven't got my eye on anything in particular, I just browse around to see what is about.. money not great at the mo so figured I would buy various pieces as I go until I have what I need...  however, I was thinking along the lines of a sw 150pds and the best mount I can afford but again, that will depend on what comes up at the right price at the time. 

On 15/11/2019 at 13:50, x6gas said:

Have you considered an off-axis guider?  You could go down that route for similar money and you'll never have to worry about differential flexure.

 

 

off-axis guider..  no because I haven't a clue what it is lol    Im reading a book and it has touched on the subject but that's as far as I have got... I have been reading up as much as possible of late trying to learn but I'm simply not a reader..  Watching videos, shown or told.. no problem but all my life when it comes to reading I just hate it and don't seem to absorb the information quite the same but if it's worth considering then I will do my homework. 

Reason I came across this scope... I'm currently reading the book 'Making every proton count' as this size telescope used as a guide scope comes recommended in the book so I had popped on Ebay simply out of curiosity to look at prices and ofc found this one... The book also covers the subject of the tube rings, to save money and weight I would make an adjustable set of my own out of aluminium. As for my telescope..  I currently have SW 150pl on a eq3-2 which I bought before considering AP so the plan is to sell the current set up and purchase either a 150 or 200 pds and ofc a much better mount.

Hey all.. If I may I would like to pick some brains....

What would be folks thoughts on this as a future guide scope?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HELIOS-ST80-Helios-Sky-Watcher-Telescope-D-80mm-F-400mm-Coated-Optics/113726201256?hash=item1a7a9c1da8:g:pjwAAOSwV9RcnOUG 

I have had a quick look online and at a glance it seems very similar to the Sky Watcher Startravel 80 which I have seen recommended as a being used as a guide scope.. The cheapest ST80 I can find is £98 + post. Now the seller doesn't want to offer postage due to total weight but I was thinking that maybe he would consider posting everything but the mount and maybe to sweeten the deal offer him the same price without the mount.. actually I got a 5% discount with ebay at the mo so if the seller was up for it then i'd have a new guide scope for £60.80p plus postage..  Obviously being very new to all this I wouldn't have a clue as to the difference in quality between the Helios and SW scopes so was wondering would this be a good buy?

Heya.. Welcome to SGL  

Heya... Welcome to SGL 

7 minutes ago, wimvb said:

Did you read the edited reply? 

Unless you get the synscan upgrade, you won't have goto. This upgrade is more expensive than the other offers. But regardless of which upgrade you get, if it includes dec, you won't have to touch the mount to center a target. Hence less vibrations that can throw pointing off. 

Also check which upgrades allow guiding (st4 port). 

No I didn't see edited reply..  but think im with you now lol  If I get the enhanced dual motordrive I can use that with a guide scope which can be controlled via a laptop using  APT

19 minutes ago, wimvb said:

Go for dual. Only if polar alignment is spot on, will tracking in RA only suffice. Plus, if you have dual motors, you will have goto capability. You can then start thinking about guiding and computer control. It should also increase the resale value of the mount. 

Dual it is then... I have a vary small patio area to use in my garden and i'm within 6 feet of my house which is in between my set up and polaris so polar alignment is going to be tricky.. I have been reading about and watching videos on how to get reasonable alignment using a compass.. obviously when i'm away from home it won't be an issue.

Just want to see if my thinking is right.. If I go for the dual set up I take it I need the enhanced version which can connect to a auto guider which in turn will connect to a laptop? To then have goto capability would I need anything in addition or would this do it? 

8 hours ago, wimvb said:

At 130 it's a bargain, imo. But the ota weighs 5 kg, and is at the load limit of your mount. Otoh, it's a standard imaging combination, sold by skywatcher resellers. It's also the combination I started with (150pds + eq3 pro). As long as your long term intention is to upgrade your mount, I'd say go for it. Just keep in mind, you absolutely still need tracking. Maybe sell the 150 pl? 

Yes on both accounts... I would look to upgrade the mount down the line when money allows.. I may consider upgrading everything if the interest takes hold. As for my 150pl.. my thought is to sell it on.. I know it is better suited for viewing but as a beginner I wonder if I would really need it as I can still view through the 150pds...plus I could put the money from the sale towards tracking. On the topic of tracking dual or single motors? Control of the RA is the must so could I just leave the DEC adjustment to manual..  is their any real benefit in paying extra for full control knowing that I will at some point be upgrading the mount.

I finally have 'Make Every Photon Count' in hand... if I get through it it will be the first book I have read in over 30 years lol.

Some thing I would like an opinion on please...  I have been thinking that when the time comes and I want to start buying some decent gear for astrophotography that I would like to buy as much as possible in one go.. may look for a more complete set up of better quality, but for now..... There is a skywatcher explorer for sale not far from me.. it's a 150p-ds ota so the right tool for the job rather than my 150pl.. it is advertised as open but unused, in box with all original accessories for £130 well, that's if the bids don't take the price up(currently no bids) Was figuring that the lighter tube may allow me to use my dslr with the scope on my eq3-2 just to start me off.  I would then have all the basics to satisfy me until I can get some money together to upgrade properly. What do you folks think?

Heya, welcome to SGL.. Iv'e only been around for a few days myself but can already say that you will find plenty to chat about on here 😀

Astrophotography tool.. check!  Found it..  Will spend some time on youtube doing my homework ready for when I need it.

21 minutes ago, upahill said:

No problem, as for screen size - I do all the aquisition from a laptop, actually wish my camera didnt have a screen, never used it.

15 minutes ago, JamesF said:

I think it's useful just for confirming settings are correct when you start, but in the main I agree.  Other than that initial check I don't think I've ever used the screen on my 450D when I've been imaging.

James

Laptop..  that is the way I have been thinking since reading up... I have an old one here somewhere I was going to fire up.. was figuring be better than touching the set up all the time and im guessing there will be a few programs worth installing to help me along. 

Damn it...  I nearly forgot.   Picked up a camera tonight.   I had been tempted to go for a cheap 450d on WEX until a 1100d turned up local.. guy wanted £100.. offered him £80 as in that's all I can afford right now (which was true when I messaged him last night and then today ebay is going off.. sold some bits 🙂 ) anyways.. he said he would take it so popped down early evening today.. camera, canon 18- 55 lens, ring flash and some additional lenses that fit in front of the main lens.. camera had been used for close up work. Camera looked a bit dusty/grubby on the outside.. don't think it had been stored in a proper bag for a while. Anyways... bought it, came home and cleaned it... besides the slightest of a mark on the screen which I have polished out even further it looks immaculate...  not even a finger print on it, no wear on the grip, no lettering worn off.. it's fab and and top of that it has a 7000 shutter count so i'm chuffed to beans 😁

On 03/11/2019 at 21:08, upahill said:

Im not a camera expert so take what I say with a pinch of salt, but from what I can tell the 1100d has a better ISO range, uses DIGIC 4 instead of DIGIC3 with better noise reduction and faster processing. It's also 3 years newer. Both have the same size and resolution sensors. The 1100 would be the one I would go for. Plenty of people using the 1100d for astro so its a fairly safe bet.

 

The differences you mentioned, I had noted them when making comparisons....  the only other obvious difference was the 1100 has a smaller screen but seeing as I have never owned a camera like this before I couldn't see that bothering me lol

3 hours ago, upahill said:

Forgot to mention keep an eye on some of the Facebook astro sale groups too - there is someone selling an EQ5 with motor kit for £170 - doubt thats the GOTO model, but a boost in payload capacity and tracking facility. The one i usually look at is Secondhand Astronomy Equipment UK

 

I always have facebook up on my computer so will keep an eye out.. I use facebook a lot for groups im in to do with motorcycles plus buy/sell bikes parts.. always check the marketplace too.. only started looking on there a few months ago but find it great, loads of stuff for sale and some good bargains to be found. My regular routine every day morn and late evening is ebay, gumtree and the market place so from now I won't just be looking for bike stuff lol Oh and just requested to join Secondhand Astronomy Equipment UK sao will keep an eye on there too.

Thanks for the pointers 

Hello there, welcome to SGL 

Although I am sure there will be plenty more questions in th future I have one more for now.....  Having decided to keep things as simple as possible for the sake of just dipping my toe into AP not to mention being skint at the mo I have set my mind on a cheap canon camera and just a 18-55 lens to start with.. I'm looking at either a 450d or 1100d currently  the 450d being £57 and then I buy a lens for £40(these being the cheapest I can find right now) or I can pick up locally what looks a good condition 1100d with a 18-55 lens and a few filters for £80.. I have read plenty of posts asking about comparisons between the 2 cameras but then I have been reading a lot about all sorts lately so finding it hard to digest it all so just want to check, am I right in thinking that either camera will be fine for what I want? Cheers.

I am just starting out in the world of astronomy, before I even think of buying any suitable clothing I am going to try some of my motorcycle gear.. I have textile jackets/trousers, waterproof, padded, removable liners for cooler/warmer, certainly wind proof, padded knees for kneeling... can't imagine how they won't do the job. It maybe something to think about... there is always plenty of cheap secondhand clothing for sale, not that it has to be expensive new but if you look around you can grab some really good bargains. Plus, generally textile trousers etc are not tight fitting so there is still room for thermals/leggings etc underneath and many styles are quite normal looking, besides maybe a slight glossy finish they can look just like padded cargo pants so won't look out of place where ever they are worn and ofc, seeing as they are made to be thrown down the road at *cough* 70 mph they are certainly durable. 

Wouldn't mind an opinion on this.. was looking around ebay then popped onto wex for a nose and spotted this.. I could be wrong but it seemed a reasonable price to me.. I know the description suggests it's well worn around the body but it doesn't look bad.. if the screen is anything like a phone screen then dont see any reason why I wouldn't be able to polish any light marks out 6000 shutter count and ofc still comes with a 1 year warranty. 

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/canon-eos-450d-body-used-1721229/

1 hour ago, upahill said:

My 2 cents - dont shy away from eBay/ secondhand. PayPal buyer protection is pretty good and will cover you against receiving anything not as described. My first (and current) camera was a Canon 1200D - picked it up as a faulty unit on eBay for a cheeky offer of £80 (2 years ago) - its only fault was being unable to write to the SD card, which didnt bother me as it hooks up to the PC for downloading.

I would strap a canon and the cheapest telephoto lens I could get to the mount and just have a play - you wont be able to do long exposure until you can track, but you'll get there if you get the bug. I have taken some great moon shots in the past with £15 car boot manual lenses with adapters.

If you get the bug I would not upgrade the EQ3-2 to motorised but rather save a little for an EQ5/6.

EQ5 mounts regularly go on eBay for £250-£350 - EQ6 for around £600 its a lot less hassle to save for an EQ5/6 than to try and diy mod something (depends how handy you are), if you really want to get into the imaging side of things though - "put the money where the mount is". Its probably the piece of gear that will stick with you the longest and be the most responsible for getting good long exposures. You can progress to using an upgraded mount and your dslr/lens setup straight away without the need for a telescope and get some really good widefield shots whilst you decide on your best choice of telescope. Plus you can put your existing telescope onto it for visual use too.

If I was starting again from scratch with just a camera I might look into mounts like the star adventure - £130-£220 second hand. A lightweight setup for widefield and just cameras / small scopes. Whilst these are less expensive and much more portable they wont help further down the line if you decide to go bigger with the scope, so a used EQ5 Synscan would still be preferable to me.

Check out some of the simpler setups people on YouTube use to get an idea of the results. Some of my favs include AstroBackyard and Galactic Hunter. Both used DSLRs early on with great results.

 

 

 

 

thank you for you input...  Ebay.. use it all the time as a buyer and seller so don't mind looking for a deal on there. My thoughts regarding fitting a tracking motor, I have seen a few come and go on ebay at quite reasonable prices so was thinking it would be a cheap option to get going.  I am very interested in pursuing my new interest but as I mentioned in my earlier comments I have in the past on occasion lost interest quickly in various things I have started, that and money being tight at the moment means I was just looking for the cheapest options to generally test the water. Modding the mount, fitting drives etc  that me completely in my comfort zone. Over the years have built all sorts.. my computers, rebuilt cars, motorbikes(this my other main hobby) so doing a bit of diy like this doesn't phase me at all. Figured if I modded the mount I have for now I can switch it's use between the telescope and dslr meaning I can progress at my leisure in both fields and then will just save some money to buy a few more suitable items down the line. I have been watching a few youtube videos to get some ideas but i'm just not sure where to start as far as a lens goes.. From one video I watched I was thinking about getting a 50mm and going with your advice of just grab something cheap and get going I was looking at this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YONGNUO-YN-EF-50mm-f-1-8-AF-Lens-1-1-8-Standard-Prime-Lens-Auto-Focus-Canon-Z6Q6/202698010310?epid=9032302734&hash=item2f31be2ec6:g:mX8AAOSwfUZc9it5

Or would it be better to go for something with a longer focal length maybe? If it was useful and worth it I could probably buy both within my budget.. there seems to be plenty of cheap longer focal length lens on ebay. Right now I feel it's all about just having a go.. Below is one of the first photos I took.. this was straight after buying my current scope. No idea what i'm doing, no phone holder.. no polar alignment and so on... there are so many wonderful photos all over the net, on this site and ones like it.. photos that I think are amazing but looking at my little moon.. to me that's amazing because I took it which is why I don't have my sights set high at the moment.. im sure there will be plenty of progress and times of feeling a sense of achievement to come before I need to worry about getting serious with my gear plus ofc it also allows to to make sure that I am starting something I want to stick with.

14 hours ago, wimvb said:

If you invest in the sw eq3 upgrade kit, you can have a very nice tracking mount for a dslr with a lens. With a moderate telephoto lens you can get widefield images of the Andromeda galaxy as well as the moon. You can then also start looking into guiding, something you'll eventually need anyway. Go for the goto upgrade kit with synscan if that's an option moneywise. 

7 hours ago, wesdon1 said:

I would say, after reading your comments Gimboid, that you would be best off buying a second hand telephoto lense for your dslr, and taking astro images with that for now. Your 150 'scope will be fine for visual, but in theory you could use it for asto-photgraphy, but some people say it's not possible? I respectfully disagree with them! lol. You will just have to find a way to get focus with dslr attatched to focuser on 'scope. But thats for another day, i reckon. As a side note, you may be able to buy tracking motors for eq3-2 mount and mount dslr fitted with long lense and do some tracked long exposures, say 30-60 seconds each. You couyld also do tracked, long exposures with the 150 when you have the tracking motors fitted. Either way best of luck my friend, and please keep us posted on how you get on.

Wes, Liverpool.

Thanks both.. this is getting interesting 🙂  Going for a synscan upgrade isn't an option right now.. budget won't allow it lol  But.. I can buy a tracking motor for the mount and that would leave me able to afford a secondhand dslr and telephoto lens. So I think first port of call would be to pick a dslr.. Have read many comment/posts which often recommend various models of canon 450d, 500d, 550d etc and they all seem to be within my starting budget and the impression I get is there wouldn't be a great deal of difference from a novices pov. As for a which telephoto lens to buy...  any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for all the comments.. I have been taking notes as well as doing a tad more reading about. I understand my telescope is not best suited for what I would like to do but it will be a while before I can think of buying any replacement and right now I am quite keen on playing around with a dslr so here's my thinking... as and when I will use the scope I have as it was intended but fancy buying a dslr to use on it's own to try and get some nice shots of the night sky while learning how to use it properly along with any associated software/programs etc I have been watching a few videos online, the one chap was photographing the the milkyway using just a dslr and 50mm lens and I think for now that is where I would like to start as far as astrophotography goes and I will carry on using my scope for what it was intended or order to learn and then down the line I will look to change my current scope/mount for something more suitable. 

Does this sound like a reasonable idea and if so baring in mind I am on a budget the items I previously mentioned, would they be suitable or is there something I can buy which would be more suitable or if it is possible cheaper.

Cheers 🙂 

8 hours ago, Helen said:

Good luck with the grand plan 😉   Being out of Cardiff may make observing a bit easier 🙂

Helen

Thank you.. looking forward to moving and had considered it won't be so far to get to some darker spots, also the further up I go the closer to the nice twisty country roads I get and as a motorcyclist I can't wait for that either.

6 hours ago, barkis said:

Welcome to the SGL phenomena. You are in a good place now, and if it's encouragement you need, you will get lots of it here . Cold weather is a deterrent to the observer, but as stated, it can be bearable with the proper clothing. I don't see the type of telescope you own, is it a reflector, or refractor? What interests you most in the night sky. Your type of instrument will be suitable for many targets, but it can depend on type and size of objective.   However, Hope you settle in here, and improve your knowledge. It's a great source of help and knowledge at your disposal here. Enjoy your stay.

Ron.

Hi Ron..  currently I have a skywatcher 150pl and eq3-2 mount...  however, after doing some more research and chatting on these here forums I may well look to change it..  Just not sure what to buy or change first as i'm on a budget. Current thinking is.. I want to get into astrophotography with the telescope and without so thinking about getting just a dslr for now to hopefully get some nice wide shots of the night sky and then a little further down the line either change to a more appropriate scope or simple buy another that is better suited for use with a camera and also keep the current one should it warrant having the two.

More welcomes so more thanks 🙂 

With regards to the brrr it's cold im off back in... I don't usually fair too bad in the cold but I have in the past suffered with chest/breathing trouble as a result of neglect while working in dust and with paint and the cold, although it's no where near as bad now used to effect my breathing a lot.... that would be the main reason for going back in when it's cold. If the body gets cold.. well that's what star jumps and jogging on the spot is for 😛  I actually do have some toasty gear.. have a nice set of winter textiles for when i'm brave and I want to take my motorcycle out in the winter and theres always a pair of wooley gloves and beanie on hand.

15 hours ago, Sky-searcher said:

I use padded bags for my scopes. You can add extra padding inside & are available in lots of different sizes to suit. The bags I use are cobra case bags, google them or also on Amazon. Not expensive & good quality. 

Thanks for that.. I may well go this way but will have to measure my scope and see if they have something that will do the job.. must say the look very good value, was shocked at how cheap they are.