pedromreis

So I have an EQ3-2 "Deluxe" plain, with no motors/etc. Exactly what do I need in order to: 1 - Track an object in order to get long exposures 2 - Be able to "goto" an objecto using my computer (Mac) 3 - Have sturdier tripod, is the 2" skywatcher tripod for EQ5/6 compatible? Are there other options? (including DIY) Thanks!

A quick update. Is difficult to buy new stuff nowadays, everything seems out-of-stock. Also shipping to Portugal of used stuff is not easy to find, and sometimes the price itself is prohibiting.. So, fo now, I have on order a 150P-DS and a eq3 mount. Arriving in 2 weeks if I'm lucky. Also I got a 9mm and a 20mm 62º LER eyepieces from Explore Scientific. I hope this will be portable and versatile enough to get me started. Thanks

Hi, I would be very happy If I could make a photo like that What was the rest of the setup? Lens/scope, mount, etc... So is one just remove the filter, there is no problem focusing to the infinity? Did you put any clip filter to protect the sensor? Thanks

What would be a ccd camera "entry level" that would have as good as photos like a 450D or 60D?

thanks does it needs a glass inside after removing the IR?

Hi So I have laying around an old Canon EOS 350D that I wont mind trying to mod for astrophotography, i.e. remove the IR filter. I have read several tutorials and I cant understand if I need to put anything extra inside or just remove the IR filter. Does anyone have experience on this camera that can point me the right direction? Is it worth modding? For around 100€, is there a better alternative? Thanks

Hi All So I got the budget https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-80-tabletop-telescope.html and I got up and running 2 nights ago. This was my all time first observation, no other help than the manual that came with the scope and what I read in the web. No star atlas, just phone apps. Tried it on my front terrace, with lots of light pollution. I have led street light illuminating the terrace, just 10m away But, ok. I assembled it and point it to Jupiter. Didn't try the polar alignment, either. First thoughts: - I really liked the experience. Seeing the moons(?) was very nice. I just hoped that my sky was darker.. - We get what we pay... the EQ1 seems sturdy enough but the fittings on the telescope are no good. Just "breathing" to it made it move. I need a good mount when a buy a "real" one. - The eyepieces that came are plastic-ish and I struggled to use the 10mm with the Barlow. Maybe I need one with longer eye relief? - The focus system is barely usable in high magnification... Is there a point to upgrade it in the model? Is it even possible? - I wish the 90º mirror was longer because using it on a table is not easy. - Didn't really understand how to setup the spotter, calibrating and such. I will try again in daylight. - Didn't had any problems using the EQ mount, but as I said, used it without alignment. All in all was a good first experience, limited yes but very enjoyable. Looking forward to another clear sky night! The obligatory snapshot taken from the eyepiece with the cellphone, no mounts or anything.

That looks interesting... Will give it a try!

Suburb but very inside the "red" zone of the light pollution map. About 120km from here I can get nice skies. Also in the north where I have family and go often. I will definitely try something like that :). I have an old canon 350d and a very new cellphone

I think eventually I'll try to take some photos but its not my priority right now. I don't live in the city, rather nearby, around here https://goo.gl/maps/HvFMfrXkMNKDu6xc7 There is lot of light yes, the main problem for me are the street lights.... Even in the backyard. But I'll manage time to get to observation spots with dark skies.

I have some of those also, but not as fast. Maybe f4-f5. But my DSLR is also very old so this is another upgrade I don't want to do just now

I thought about that .. I do have some old nice glass canon FD lenses, 135/f2, 200/f2.8, 300/f5 etc. If I buy an adapter I could use them on the eos/ef. The thing is that due to the distance to the sensor after the adaptor in place, the lenses will not focus all the way to infinity. So I don't know if I would be able to take any photo worth while....

It sorta came to mind in the beginning... but one of the drives for this, maybe the most important is that my daughter wants to experiment also, and I don't want that the her will fades away by the time I would take to make my own. But if some kind of "kit" I would try, only that the ones I saw are too small/childish. Hence I bought a small 100€ telescope for the startup

Lots of fantastic posts! Thanks all. A lot to think about. On my shopping list currently is a newt/dob >=8" + 2/3 quality eye pieces for the starting kit. I'm open to suggestions on brands/models. But before the buy I'll need to first go and experiment so never before christmas... BTW, is there a better / worse season to buy? Sales, discounts, etc...

Those are for taking pics/video only right? The achromat are the ones that have distortions right? can you link me to the exact ones? Video Astronomy is taking a video and convert it to pics? Thanks for your post!

I can relate to that I also prefer paper to electronics.

Yes, sometimes is better to have 1 recommendation instead of 20 I have this book ordered, will arrive sometime next week https://www.cambridge.org/pt/academic/subjects/physics/amateur-and-popular-astronomy/turn-left-orion-hundreds-night-sky-objects-see-home-telescope-and-how-find-them-5th-edition?format=SP&isbn=9781108457569 This is enough for now right?

Hi What will a Pocket Sky Atlas give you more than all the apps that you can have on your tablet? I've tried to find examples of what is inside, with no luck

When you talk about "performance" is the quality of the image that you get right? Like in a good lens for a dslr? Being Plossls the minimum, what are the next, better, ones? Will a better eyepiece like those costing around 50€, assuming an eyepiece that comes standard in a 500€ telescope, dramatically improves the viewing experience?

The eyepieces are one diameter only right? 1,25 or 2. Whats the purpose of those filters? Point me to a link plz. What pocket sky atlas you recommend? Tks!

@Alan64 So much to learn! I was inclined to a newtonian already for my first telescope. Will put that 8" on my short list, tks! As I said, before big expenses I need to experiment a bit, look around, talk to people. So far everybody says that the first telescope should be something like that.

Those opticrons and hellius recommended above fall into that cheap category? Thanks!

Sorry, I was not clear. I already spend that. But that is not my "budget", that is only something I bought out of impulse just to get me started... I meant for the future. Your post was fantastic! I now have some options to pursuit... Nevertheless, I'm trying to contact local amateur astronomer groups and will try to join them to experiment all the different types of telescopes out there and their differences. I have no doubt they also give me good advices.

Thank you all! I really appreciate these advices and I'll try to follow them!

For a layman, an example of half decent 10mm?