eikie

I have budget for a 80ed and a DSLR (probably used) but thought first to get used to the scope and mount as I have no experience at all. Starting off with that and the issues with taking photographs seemed a bit much in 1 go. But maybe I figure out how to polar align and do star alignments plus focussing rather quickly, who knows...

Hello all, My name is Peter and a long time viewer of this forum. However, I recently registered because after years of doubting, I am (finally) planning to start with astrophotography. Initially I was planning to get a scope solely for planets, like a (small) maksutov, since the planets interested me the most. However, after reading and watching video's, my interest seems to be changing to DSO. And after visiting a more experienced astrophotographer, I'm quite certain DSO is the way to go for me. The aformentioned photographer also suggested a starting set, which I would like to seek advice on. It is a skywatcher 80ed DS-pro refractor on a heq5 pro mount. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-pro-heq5-pro.html Plan is to use it visual in the beginning to get used to the scope and mount, as I have no experience at all. Maybe during that time I can use my smartphone to at least have some initial photo experience and something to show the wife . After that I will probably seek to buy a reducer/flatner and a camera to start making proper pictures. And after that, it all depends on how involved I become. If the planets still attract me, I can always use that mount for a second planetary scope. Does this sound as a valid plan with a sensible first scope? I would appreciate any advice and/or pointers.