Pain in the Neck

Hmmm. Living on a boat might make life interesting for both observing and imaging!

I am no expert, but I went for the 150P-DS with the HEQ5 mount. My thinking was that the OTA is already 6kg, so by the time you add a finder, a decent eyepiece, a DSLR (if you’re into photography), and a few adaptors, filters etc, you are way over the capacity of the EQ3. Luckily I had enough to fund it due to saving some cash during lockdown!

If you can put up with a complete beginner tagging along, then please count me in. Happy to receive a PM, or attend a planning meet (rules permitting). Charles.

I am also a newbie, so am not qualified to advise on equipment. However, I would tend to shop around a bit - I know it’s very easy to buy stuff on Amazon, but you may find better prices (and a lot more advice) buying from a specialist. FLO and RVO spring immediately to mind. I went for a Skywatcher 6” newtonian on a half-decent EQ goto mount. However, I have yet to use the goto facility to any great extent, preferring to star-hop and manually track. When (and if!) I get into imaging I’m sure the mount will come into its own. Welcome to the lounge! p.s. Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s bands are easily visible in my ‘scope, although still a little on the small side.

Not a bad idea robbymain - I have heard of it working on occasions. What happens when I ask them to unshield it when BBQ season starts up again? It's actually quite useful then! 🙂

Count me in too! Getting a bit fed up with the streetlight outside my back garden outshining just about everything. Jupiter and Saturn are still drawing me in every time I set up, as they are bright enough to be worth watching despite Bortle 8 or so. The sky isn’t stupidly bright, I just can’t get any night vision.

It doesn’t seem to matter what you do in this hobby, it always seems to cost money! 😀

You probably called me Charlie because of a small typo in my post. I only got my Canon 100D on eBay a few days ago, and have now ordered the necessary attachments from RVO and FLO (one supplier never seems to have everything in stock - double postage!) I haven’t even started on the software yet (although already have PhotoShop from my ‘ordinary’ photography hobby). I’m in Longwell Green, but my profile image shows you the level of street lighting outside my back garden! I was looking to join Bristol Astro or Mendip Astro (or possibly both) in due course. Early days! Charles.

Hi @wookie1965 Is one of those 2” to 1.25” adaptors up for grabs / sale? I have been looking at a way of protecting my Baader Hyperion EP’s from the dreaded grub-screw marks, and it looks like one of those adaptors might do the job. Charles.

Greg. Don’t let my Mother hear you calling me Charlie! 😀 - always was a no-no right from school days. Personally I’ll answer to just about anything... You definitely flatter me when you say that I’m at a similar stage to you. I have only managed to give my 150 a couple of ‘proper’ outings since I took delivery of it last month. Too much cloud and not enough time I’m afraid. I also suffer from very bad light pollution in my back garden, and haven’t managed to find a suitable (relatively) local location with darker skies yet. I am hoping that in the next few months one or two of the local Astro Clubs will be running properly again, so I can pick people’s brains on good safe places to take my kit. Charles.

Thanks for this tip @Greg Shaw I intend to order a few different attachments anyway (as I said in my original post, I’m quite happy to have a play), but your tip might save a few of my hard-earned pennies. Charles.

Thanks fozzybear and wimvb. I had some time to spare between DIY jobs today, so had a chance to do my own research on this (it was probably laziness that prompted the original query!). Baader bits to order as follows: - For ‘Afocal’ 2958058 = DT ring to attach DSLR lens to Hyperion EPs For ‘Eyepiece Projection’ 2958550 = T ring 1508155 = 7.5mm ext tube 2958080 = M43 to T-2 ring For ‘Prime Focus’ 2408318 = T-mount (possibly duplicate functionality with the 2958550) 2408150 = 2” T-2 nosepiece So now I think I’m sorted - time will tell if I’ve got it wrong! Now, where did I leave the credit card....

Hi Anthony, and welcome to SGL from another newby. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. A great bunch of friendly and knowledgeable people. Charles.

Thanks for the very prompt reply fozzybear - I’ll check these out. The Baader mpcc is on my wish list, but I was looking to get basic connections sorted out before looking at refining the images. Coma correctors and all the stacking and processing can come afterwards!

Hi Greg, welcome to SGL from another Bristolian, also with a 150P-DS. I eventually managed to get my HEQ5 Pro during the recent shortage of equipment coming from China. A question for you. Just a few minutes ago I posted a new topic on the ‘Getting started in astroimaging’ section. As our setups are very similar, I was wondering if you could take a look, and perhaps point me in the right direction. If I can get anything like the results you have posted I will be well pleased! Charles.