TheGlobeTrevor

Finally got my scope a few days ago. Took a month and a half to come, but worth the wait. I opted for an Orion Astroview 6" with optional motor drive. I am still learning to use my setup, and I haven't installed my drive yet. I just wanted to do a test. So I only tested it from my back deck, in full light pollution of Calgary. I'm way out of my league with some of the shots I see on here, and I have a tonne still to learn, but at least I will have fun doing it. Camera is an Eosm-100 mounted prime with 2x barlow (in order to achieve focus) I plan on going camping in June with much better seeing conditions. By then I hope I will have gotten some of the basics down.

stunning images, very nicely done.

really nice, so much detail

beautiful, so much detail

Ok that is good to know, thank you.

Sounds good i dont have a problem with stacking. How short are we talking? 10s 30s a couple of minutes? What would be the max? I know its dependant on FL but say 100mm and 400mm (just so i have an idea) a rough estimate will suffice. Thanks happykat and gfamily.

Could I unmount the telescope from the equatorial mount putting my camera with lenses on for AP, then use the Tscope for observation? I have a 16mm f/2 a (100mmf2.8) (24-105mm f/4) a (55-250mm5.6) and the 400mm5.6. Basically I want the best of both worlds setup. I know that is a tall ask Would that make the tracking more accurate or is it the tripod and tracking motor themselves that are inaccurate? If you don't extend a tripod's legs and use a counterwight in the middle of the tripod. (im not talking about a tripod head counterweight) I'm talking right in the middle of the 3 legs adding a counterweight. I know that works for photography when it is windy.

OK thank you, that helps me understand Would a 1/2 focal reducer help? I assume it Is because it is to large a focal length.

Thank you to everyone I appreciate everyone's feedback. There are too many people to quote individually. Except I will quote this one, this helps a lot because I live in Alberta. Can someone help me understand why this Telescopes Equatorial mount with an (added) dual (or) single axis drive won't track properly for AP? https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-SpaceProbe-130ST-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/9007.uts?sortByColumnName=SortByPriceAscending If you zoom in (using a mouse wheel) on the mount on Orion's website it looks like you can add a right ascension, and (I assume declination?) with a dual axis drive.

So these are GoTo's for almost the same price https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-StarSeeker-IV-150mm-GoTo-Reflector-with-Controller/rc/2160/p/113917.uts?keyword=goto&sortByColumnName=SortByPriceAscending https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Celestron-AstroFi-130mm-Wi-Fi-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/116662.uts?keyword=goto&sortByColumnName=SortByPriceAscending Are those better options? Or still not good? Is it that it won't track effectively enough for photo use? and will only work for veiwing? Is it because I'm going so deep, that the slightest movement will blur the photo regardless of a tracking motor? Like, if a mouse farts at 50 paces it will shake the tripod 😄 ?

Thank you I appreciate your feedback GoTo mounts do track or not? I see contradictory information sometimes. Not sure there will ever be a scenario where I spend $1100 on only a mount. I don't make that much money. I'm not expecting to go deep sky, or get several hours long tracking. If I got 30s exposures or a few minutes at 750mm and stack: I'd be ok with that. I'm aware those setups have limitations. Would I be able to work around those limitations? or are they so severe I shouldn't bother? I'm legitimately asking. Your not going to hurt my feelings, if it would be a waste of money, I'd like to know before I waste it Do you think I would be better off getting "just" a EQ tracking mount with a drive, forgoing the telescope and using my 400mm f5/.6 canon lens? I weighed my camera with lens and it weighs 6.3lbs and the mount is rated for 7.1. I could go with the 130mm for observation, then unmount the telescope and mount my camera with telephoto?

Thank you kindly

So I have narrowed my choices down to these 2. Although I am not married to either choice. If someone has something similarly priced that I haven't thought of, I'm still open to suggestions. I want something that is good for observing and also astrophotography. So a motorized EQ clock mount is essential. A GoTo is not necessary, as I think I can manage finding things myself. First choice: Orion SpaceProbe 130mmST (5") Equatorial Reflector Telescope with an EQ-2 mount with no drive, but I will add one on. for $99 After shipping costs= $493.48 Diameter=130mm FL=650mm Av=f/5 Included= Collimation cap, 6x30 finder scope (not the greatest I hear) https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-SpaceProbe-130ST-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/9007.uts https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-EQ-2M-Electronic-Telescope-Drive/rc/2160/p/7827.uts?keyword=drive Second Choice: Orion AstroView 150mm (6") Equatorial Reflector Telescope with an EQ-3 mount with no drive but I will add one on. for $150 After shipping costs= $734.98 Diameter=150mm FL=750mm Av=f/5 Included= Collimation cap, 6x30 finder scope (not the greatest I hear) (it's the same scope as above) https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-AstroView-6-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/9827.uts# https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-EQ-3M-Dual-Axis-Electronic-Drive/rc/2160/p/7828.uts?keyword=drive# So everything in the 2 choices are equal except for a difference of 20mm diameter, and 100mm of focal length but the 6" is $240 USD more expensive (which is $305 Cad) Would there be much of a difference in what I can see between these 2 choices? Is it worth a $240 difference since it puts me close to my limit? The cheapskate in me wants to go for the lesser version, but will I kick myself later for not spending the extra? Since each EQ mount is (close) to its weight limit; the only way I can upgrade the scope later, would be to replace the entire thing. Am I overlooking something? If I get the less expensive version I can buy more accessories (like a better scope, eyepieces barlows etc.) Or should I go for the more expensive one and just get the accessories later when I can afford them? I am close to my spending limit with the 6" so I can probably only afford to get a camera adapter. I will probably be attaching a canon camera "prime focus" I plan on getting a canon mirrorless EOS-M100 which weighs only 300g without a lens. Like I said if I'm overlooking a choice similarly priced option. Please don't be afraid to speak up. My firm limit would be $800USD including shipping to Canada and essential accessories.

Really nice, what a beautiful subject.

Very nicely done