GeoffM54

I'm looking to put some mounting rings with a longer dovetail bar on my OTA, to try to improve the stability, any one done this, and recommendations please. It looks like Skywatcher 160mm rings may fit.

So, I haven't tried it yet, but would image stacking work on pictures taken with an slt mounted DSLR or dedicated eyepiece camera. I'm assuming for multiple exposures  there will be image rotation with this type of mount, which may prevent stacking.

On 24/06/2021 at 23:18, Gfamily said:

Yes, I've used Pentax dSLRs for astro imaging and I reckon they're pretty good. I have a K5 that I'm pleased with - though I'm not a great astro imager.  

The principle reason I would give to support anyone going for Pentax would be the longevity of the design - any K mount camera will be able to take almost any K mount lens from the last 45-50 years, and for much nightscape imaging, you don't need auto anything, so good old glass can be used, and they can often be bought for very keen prices.  

Other than that, I really appreciate the ergonomics, and the sensors are pretty good too (particularly those that are ISO invariant).

I would say that if you are looking to do imaging straight onto the camera, then a Pentax with an intervalometer is an ideal set up - though it has to be said that if you are looking to integrate your camera with a laptop, you probably would be better going with Canon, as the software environment is far better for that brand. 

Declaration of interest: I started with a K1000 in the 1970s, progressed to the absolutely superb ME Super, and the P30 as film cameras. 

Following this, the K100 D was my first digital SLR, which was followed by the K5 (this after a recommendation by Ian Morison from Jodrell Bank). What is nice is that the K5 works very well with the original 50mm f/2 lens that came with the K1000, as well as a lovely 200mm f/4 lens that I got for a song on ebay. 

So I am a bit of a classic Pentaxian - it's a nice place to be.

I Have been down the same route, k1000, me super, p30, K5.  I have used my k5 on a 80mm helios spotting scope for terrestrial stuff, the scope has a t-threaded eyepiece, decent results.  I've just got back in to astronomy after a long spell without any equipment, but picked up a used celestron 130slt for a great price, and will be looking to do some imaging with it, although I will probably have to get an equatorial mount to replace the slt goto mount at some point when funds allow.