Dannomiss

I actually think my friends son is mixing up astronomy and astrophotography and not really knowing how much these things cost and the implications of buying cheap. I think personally a great and portable telescope would be the best option so he can learn the equipment, explore the sky etc and then go from there. I have a good few BST StarGuider eyepieces, binoculars etc to lend him to upgrade his eye pieces straight away... so we will see 🙂

Thanks so much everyone

1 hour ago, Elp said:

Nothing wrong with getting a telescope to start with, they'd have to temper their expectations for doing AP with it though. Simple photos via a mobile phone held at the eyepiece is possible but don't expect typical AP quality.

I shared with him some photos I took through the eye piece using a smartphone using a skywatcher heritage 150p. Obvious Saturn, Jupiter and the moon were combined in photoshop...*obviously* lol

 

Thanks everyone. I get £500 won't go far at all. I knew that but wanted to check 🙂 Its actually for my Mates son who is 16 hence the £500 budget - he is saving up and wants a scope to start. So 

So If he just getting starting as a beginner and just wants a scope (Forgetting astrophotography and deep space) Do you think the Skywatcher Skymax 127 is a good scope for starters just for astronomy, Stars, planets etc https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

15 minutes ago, Sabalias said:

In my experience you are quite right, £500 won't get much of a set up. I would suggest looking at second hand, you can get more for your money (though astro kit tends to hold its value quite well).

Does your friend have a DLSR with a long lens? If so then a Star Adventurer GTi and tripod comes in at £559 on FLO and that might be a good place to start; you can get some lovely images of DSOs with that sort of kit. Alternatively there's the Star Adventurer 2i and tripod for £415.

Stu

No They don't have an SLR Camera unfortunately and are sold on getting a telescope

Hello,A  friend of mine said they want to get into astrophotography and have a budget of £500. I've said that you won't get much of a set up with that as you need a decent mount/tripod, camera etc... But he is also just a beginner and said he would be happy just using his smartphone while he learns. The other issue is he doesn't drive and he has also suggested the Skywatcher classic 200P but I've said this is around 27kg in total and told them if they don't drive then they will never use it as it's so heavy to carry around. For £500 I've said he could go with something like this as more compact and can get him started, but I realise the 127 is a slow scope at (f/11.8).

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

Or something like this but again could be heavy

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html

Any thoughts, advice etc

Thanks in advance 

Dan

Wondering if it would be better to buy the 127mm mak separately at £265 which means i can use my current dob base from my heritage 150p...

... Then save for a better mount and tripod for £285 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/sky-watcher-star-discovery-wifi-az-goto-mount-tripod.html

8 minutes ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

Personally I'd go with the AZGTI for the extra few quid unless you're going camping on public camp sites, the budget is super tight or of course if you just prefer a manual mount. Despite its size and weight it is a powerful instrument. Also very handy in an urban environment for finding targets you may have difficulty with. 

Good luck with your choice. 🤞

I think that's where I'm heading however out of stock 60-90 days currently. So I'll have to wait 😁

I know its hard to compare but how does the 127mm mak and 150p heritage compare on performance... The heritage is f5, so faster than the 127mm mak at f11... I know they are both different scopes, but for moon, planets, stars and maybe some nebulas would the 127mm mak be ok? In one sense if I'm not as frustrated with it I'll use it more ultimately 😊👍

10 minutes ago, Neil H said:

Hi you can get a back pack that will take a 250 scope they do them at 365 astronomy it's padded too I was looking at one for my 200 but mine 1200 long and the bag is for the shorter scope ,so if you still want big light bucket this bag will let you move easily

Hi Neil you mean these? 

https://www.365astronomy.com/Lacerta-Padded-Carrying-Case-DeLuxe-for-150-750-Newtonian-Telescope.html

I suspose as i don't drive, I'll be walking or public transport, so something light and portable maybe better for me like the 127mm mak, but i suspose i sacrifice the large aperture of the heritage scope 

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

At 5 pounds, it doesn't seem that bad.  My DSV-1 weighs just about the same, and I consider it fairly light weight.  My DSV-2B at 9 pounds feels considerably heavier.

I would agree that the 127 Maks are good for light weight, compact setups.  I've got one and I bought one for my daughter for her camping trips.  The scope and all the gear fit in a gym duffel bag.  The mount and tripod fit in a long tripod/light stand bag.

The Synta 127s are really only 118mm in clear aperture, so the OP might want to look at the Bresser/ES 127 which is supposed to accurately rated.  The advantage of the Synta Maks over the Bresser/ES Maks is that they show up regularly in the classifieds for $200 to $300, at least here in the US.

Here's @Geoff Lister's posting about putting an entire 127 Mak and goto mount into a backpack minus the tripod:

I've repeated the image below:

To reduce weight, but not sacrifice rigidity, the AZ5's tripod could be replaced with a carbon fiber photo tripod.  It would also dampen vibrations better than metal as well.

If the 127 Mak fits into a Ruck i would be over the moon as then i can carry the tripod and at least get out and about

4 hours ago, Ricochet said:

To me, the stand out option from the ones listed is the 127 Mak on the AZ5 mount

This seems to be the winner. From portability and packing into a rucksack is now a must as i want to get out more and explore. 

I know that i am losing the 150mm aperture from the heritage but as I'm so frustrated with it, I'll end up not using it

3 hours ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

For a few quid more than an AZ5 kit, the AZGTI and Skymax 127 is a no brainer.

So it seems either of these :

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.htmlhttps://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

 Hi all,

Its been a while, but I'm still here 😁

I wonder if you can help. I bought a Sky-Watcher heritage 150p nearly a year ago and generally I've been pleased with it, however the most frustrating part of using it is because its telescopic to create the 750mm focal length it can become quite shaky. The dob stand is solid, but the scope itself wobbles like crazy. Combine that with the focuser which is really just terrible having to constantly use tape to help tighten the thread of the focuser up - it all just adds to the frustration of it all.

I have had some good views through the scope but its also not practical for going out and about unless I place the dob base on the floor.

I was thinking of replacing the scope but not sure with these that I have looked at below if i will still get frustrated and give up...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-starquest/sky-watcher-starquest-102mc-f127-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope.html

I can't drive, so in theory thr scope needs to be practical to carry I suspose, but I'm just frustrated all round with current scope.

Thanks all in advance

Progress over last 8 weeks. far far from perfect, but better than when I started

6 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Nice one @Dannomiss, keep at it, as you say its a lot more recognisable.
The old practice makes perfect applies with imaging I am told.

Thank you 🙂 appreciate that. getting there slowly

I'm persevering and although far from perfect by any means, I feel I'm getting slightly better photos of Jupiter - a lot more recognisable at least. Heritage 150p scope. 8mm EP + 2 x Barlow. Huawei p20. ISO 50. Shutter 1/30

22 hours ago, Dannomiss said:

Very nice. I think I'll upgrade to a foam shroud 🙂

forgot to say thank you for a great video. I do like my fabric shroud I made but I do think I am going to try this with foam. I think it maybe better and some else I don't need to set up. thanks again for a great video

2 hours ago, Lockie said:

Here's a step by step guide to making a light shroud, which can stay permanently on the scope! plus the Simple PTFE tape fix for the focuser. I spent maybe a tenner doing these mods so well worth it in my opinion.  I hope it's useful

 

Very nice. I think I'll upgrade to a foam shroud 🙂

Another one with 20 stacked images in photoshop

Welcome 🙂 WHere abouts in Oxfordshire is home. I used to live in Witney, but still work in Oxford

3 minutes ago, AstroMuni said:

Lovely pics and considering they are taken on a phone, even more so 🙂

 

Thanks so much. They were taken early evening as well when it was still light outside... So was quite pleased as you can see below 

Just a quick shot of the moon this evening. Not the best shot as it was still daylight and so have edited it on my phone. However what I find more amazing it discovering facts about the moon that I didn't know before... 

Check out second and third photo with high-lighted crator. To put the moon in some kind of context, that crator alone is 114km across and 4.7km deep 😁 its called, 'maurolycus'.

Taken with:

Huawei p20
18mm BST lens
ISO 80
Shutter 1/500
Edited on phone

On 26/07/2020 at 12:21, Dannomiss said:

There always has to be one 😂😂😂

But on a serious note, is there really much difference in have the 15 and 18mm.... I wasn't going to get the 15 and I would have the 12mm, 18mm and 25mm?

28 minutes ago, KevS said:

3mm🤣

There always has to be one 😂😂😂

17 hours ago, merlin100 said:

I preferred the view in it compared to a Meade 4000 SP 15mm, to be honest...

I wonder what the differemce is between the 15 and 18mm? 🤔

35 minutes ago, merlin100 said:

Just one more to complete my collection! 😉

Beautiful 👌😊 the only one I will probably not buy is the 15mm