DivingRhino

8 hours ago, doublevodka said:

The out of the box AVX apparently has less accurate tracing than other similar priced mounts, but they can be improved with a bit of tuning, for example this one that is currently on Astro Buy and Sell - https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=180263

Honestly it's hard to make an accurate recommendation without a firm budget and scope in mind, but for longevity you want to be looking at EQ5 class mounts and above (EQ3-2 and smaller don't have proper bearings, unfortunately that's what I have), just sadly everything has increased in price a lot recently. Used market is worth a look, especially if you can get something that's already been belt modded or tuned, there are still some decent deals to be had.

In the very short term, if he wants to start with lunar, you already have a dslr and some lenses, it's a bright target so if you already have a tripod too some shots will be possible that way, if the DSLR does video then even better as stacked images from the videos will give much better results.

 

"EQ5" is good info... will allow me to search on that.

Budget... I'm thinking AROUND $1000 for mount. I'll have trouble getting much more than that past the boss.

Scope - Hope to 1) mount the DSLRs, 2) mount a scope that would give good detail lunar and planets with an attached dedicated camera OR the DSLRs.

We do intend to go out on our next clear day and use our Nikon D90 and D7200 with Nikkor 18-200, a NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8, and old Spiratone(?!) lens that fits (because Nikon) that's giving me 300+mm. Going to try stacking some lunar shots, as well as some earth landscape/Milky Way sky  type exposures.

6 hours ago, UKDiver said:

Other considerations? Will your son still be interested in 12 months time? Definitely review the second hand market if you want to mitigate this.

Good question... but I figure, if I by equipment that is too hard to use, does not produce acceptable images etc, then I guarantee there will be no interest. I'll be able to sell anything I get (new or used)... even if it's at a loss, then the money lost was spent on the experience.

On 20/10/2021 at 06:41, doublevodka said:

With my limited knowledge I'd say you already have enough optical kit to get you going the old C* would be a great scope for planets later down the line and the camera and lenses will get you going for now, see below for a video from @Chris giving an example of what's possible with a star tracker

Budget it what will drive the next answers really, if you are happy imaging with a camera and lenses / small scopes then a tracker will be fine, but I suspect you'll be wanting some beefier kit soon enough and this is where the budget is key, get the biggest mount you can afford and move effectively, the sturdier and more accurate the mount, the better the end result will be, AVX is ok, but there are quite a few other options

I keep wavering between buying a tracker/staying cheap, and getting a good mount as that's what will quickly begin to hold him back if say he wanted to go from lunar photography to deep space or something (well, lacking all the other equipment would hold him back too... but we'd be purchasing another mount.)

You say AVX is "ok," what other options might you recommend?

4 hours ago, Alan64 said:

Has your son done any visual observing in the past, with eyepieces and a telescope?

Thanks for the links! 

He has a nice set of binoculars we mount on a tripod, and an attachment for his phone that he's done some pictures with. So, a little observing.

Lol, "Making Every Photon Count," nearly $1000 on Amazon!

Thanks for the good input! Still so much to try to figure out... my main hold up right now is that I am looking at budget, but then it seems like one should really get a mount that will  handle future goals.

Some more detail... son is mostly for the moment interested in lunar photography... and someone asked a budget, which I'd say I want to spend less than $1500. Would be way better to be below $1000. But is it a waste to buy a lower end mount and then later have to upgrade.

I think though too, to enjoy it and continue, it will need to be not too much of a hurdle to get started.

Hello, complete noob here. My son (17) is getting interest in Astro photography... primary interest seems to be moon right now, buy planets and deep space object as well. He asked for a Celstron Nexstar 5Xe. That seems simple, but limited without much growth room.

My assets are

• Nikon D90 (I read that these have quite a bit of noise)
• Nikon D7200
• 18-200mm Nikkor lens, 70-200 Nikkor Lens, 100-300mm (or close, not in hand) old non AF lens
• 1980's Celestron 8 Orange tube (no rails and no motors of any kind, just tripod and fork mount)
• Note: I do not/cannot convert these cameras at this time IR filter-wise. That'd be a future purchase.

From my limited research my plan is to

1. Use the existing cameras and tripod for some moon photography
2. Purchase a Celestron Advanced VX and use this with the on-hand cameras for some DSO
3. At some point convert the Celestron 8 to work with the Celestron VX (with above cameras mounted.)
4. Consider another telescope now that is not redundant with the C8

I'd like GoTo and tracking. And primarily focusing on photography.

Questions

1. Does this plan make sense?
2. Will the Celestron Advanced VX work well with the listed cameras for DSO (and future cameras with IR conversion or dedicated cameras)?
3. Will I be able to use the old Celestron 8 with camera mounted with the Celestron advanced VX?
4. Is there a telescope that would make sense to also purchase for that mount that wouldn't be redundant with the Celestron 8... more starter level to get going (the C8 is in another family member's hands)
5. Should I be looking at a different mount? All the same questions apply for that mount.

Other things I should be considering?

My goal is to get started without getting too far into it yet in case the interest doesn't go too far once all the work is evident, yet not waste money on equipment that is limiting. I mean, maybe the Celstron Nexstar 5Xe with camera mounting makes sense???

Thank you for any direction!