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

3 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

I used to have a mount equivalent to the EQ-2, and I do not consider it suitable for anything other than supporting a budget visual telescope.   Serious imagers would not use an expensive EQ-6 mount laden with autoguiders and other specialist devices if they thought an EQ-2 would do.  If you cannot afford a proper imaging mount what you can achieve is accordingly limited, which is why it is suggested above that you use your existing camera and lenses on a widefield tracking mount.   I saw one at an astro meeting which consisted of a camera mount with a 1-axis clockwork drive.

Ok that is good to know, thank you.

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

keep the exposures short for later selection and stacking

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.

5 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Mathematically, yes.  Reducing image scale reduces the visibility of tracking imperfections.  I would avoid the cheap 0.5x focal reducers unless you're using a really small sensor.  They introduce all sorts of outer field aberrations like field curvature and spherical aberration.

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.

29 minutes ago, Louis D said:

It's not that it won't track properly, it just won't do it accurately enough for long exposures.  You'll start to see stars wandering around a bit due to inaccurate tracking.  The mount also won't be able to resist gusts of wind, so you'll need to shelter it from wind somehow.  It would be fine for short exposures for later stacking.

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.

14 hours ago, kendg said:

I would suggest getting in touch with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Calgary Center.

They have excellent people and may even have a loaner program similar to the one we have in Canada.

That way you can try before you buy.

There also is an excellent telescope store in Didsbury. All-star Telescopes and I'm sure that Ken there will be more than willing to help you.

Hope this helps a bit.

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 😄 ?

47 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Hi,

I really don't think any of the options will be good for Astrophotography but fine for observing.

For AP you really need a good sturdy mount and you can get away with a budget scope but the mount really wants to be something like a HEQ5.
I personally do not have any experience of buying a non motorised mount then adding motors in order to use for AP but would think the tracking will not be great and you will be far better off buying a good goto mount that already has tracking capability.

Also although not impossible buying a scope and mount that is good for visual and AP is never a great idea as you will end up with a setup that may do both but far from ideal for either and personally I think you will regret it.  Getting a setup for AP on a tight budget is difficult as it is without trying to shoehorn a visual setup in it as well.

One way round is to go the route you suggest and forget the added motor and get a couple of decent EP's and concentrate on visual for now whilst you save for a decent mount like the HEQ5 and then look at doing some AP.

That is my opinion as somebody who started out doing visual for a year or so and then switched to AP. Others may give you some other ideas and have a different view.

Steve

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?

48 minutes ago, banjaxed said:

Hi Trevor, welcome to SGL.

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

Wow, beautiful and nicely done.

Very cool! That is beautifully done.

5 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

Hi Trevor, welcome to SGL 

Hello, and thank you as well.

I can't say I have visited the planet Vulcan, but live long and prosper. 

(although I have been to Vulcan Alberta soooo.......)

6 minutes ago, laudropb said:

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. 

Hello, and thank you.

I also very much enjoyed Glasgow. Such a beautiful city.

22 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

Welcome Trevor to SGL and enjoy. Ask away your questions and someone will give good advise.

Andy

Bonjour Andy.

I don't know much French, but enough to awkwardly get by in the South of France a few years back. I loved it in France, especially rural France. My favorite city I have ever traveled to thus far is Arles.  

Hello, my name is Trevor. I am from Calgary Alberta. I am an amateur at astronomy, and a hobby photographer.

I have done a few star trails and 30 second wide angles. But nothing too fancy. I have always wanted to get a telescope, but could never afford one decent, till recently. I haven't bought one yet because I want to get the right one.  I know astralphotography is challenging, but I have a lot of patience. 

I will ask advice in a separate post.

For now just saying hi.