starting out mount

[phaedrus]

Hi,

I'd like some advice with regards to an EQ6 mount and planning to buy. Initially I won't be using a scope - just a camera.

1. How long an exposure could I expect to take with an EQ6 and with just a camera (and say a 200mm lens) before guiding (auto or otherwise) becomes necessary?
   
2. Can I just mount the camera onto the EQ6 or do I need various specialised plates (or other equipment).
   
3. Out of interest, if multiple stacked exposures (of shorter duration) are equivalent to a single long exposure (of say 10 minutes) why doesn't everyone just take many 30 second exposures and do away with the need for auto-guiding? Or is it still preferrable to have longer exposures?
   
4. Is there anything I should be considering that I haven't mentioned?
   

Thanks in advance...

[phaedrus]

anyone?

[ollypenrice]

Hi,

I'd like some advice with regards to an EQ6 mount and planning to buy. Initially I won't be using a scope - just a camera.

1. How long an exposure could I expect to take with an EQ6 and with just a camera (and say a 200mm lens) before guiding (auto or otherwise) becomes necessary?
   It will depend on the luck of the draw with your mount and the accuracy of your alignment. I think at least 2 minutes and possibly 5 or more.
   
2. Can I just mount the camera onto the EQ6 or do I need various specialised plates (or other equipment).
   Just put the camera on a Vixen dovetail rail I'd say. A finder would be useful though, for your initial alignment.
   
3. Out of interest, if multiple stacked exposures (of shorter duration) are equivalent to a single long exposure (of say 10 minutes) why doesn't everyone just take many 30 second exposures and do away with the need for auto-guiding? Or is it still preferrable to have longer exposures?
   Ah, but they are far from equivalent, unfortunately. The read noise is generated every time you download an image so doing fewer downloads improves your signal to noise. If you are going after faint detail and have a cooled camera then half hour subs are the only way to get certain tenuous details to show above the noise.
   
4. Is there anything I should be considering that I haven't mentioned?
   Balance might be an issue with almost no weight on the mount. Having the east side a tiny bit heavy helps keep the gears in mesh and reduce backlash.
   
   I really like the 200mm lens for astro imaging, as in http://ollypenrice.smugmug.com/Photography/Widefield-images-including/CONE-ROSETTE-STARS-finished/1188334455_yG63d-X2.jpg
   Olly

[phaedrus]

Thanks Olly,

Wonderful image you have there with the 200mm. What were the exposure details?

Besides the EQ6 or EQ6 Pro are there any other mounts that I should consider - looking at a price range of around £1000-£1500? I see the mount as being quite an important investment so I'd rather spend big to start with and have something to build on long into the future.

I already have lots of camera equipment with several primes so the idea is to learn as much as possible with existing equipment, taking sub-3 minute exposures. Once I've progressed far enough I'll try and learn more about guiding before buying a scope.

[NickK]

Besides the EQ6 or EQ6 Pro are there any other mounts that I should consider - looking at a price range of around £1000-£1500?

Will you be using a laptop to control it? I found the SynScan invaluable when my laptop died. Don't forget power (a 50Ah car battery would be fine for a long session and possibly dew control).

I looked at the Vixen mounts and you're really paying a premium, given that you can control a mount directly using EQMOD and have accuracy that surpasses the equivalent Vixen mount.

Personally I'd be tempted to go for the NEQ6Pro SynScan, or the cheaper SynTrek if you can cope with the fun that laptops can bring.

[ollypenrice]

I have had a few disgruntled Sphinx owners here. I can't comment beyond that, really.

I like the NEQ6 option because of the handset but some like the laptop to do everything. This is better when it works and not better when it doesn't!

It is high time someone took on the EQ6 with something better but so far there are not many takers...

Olly

[phaedrus]

Thanks for the replies. I will have a laptop handy but it's there in case I need it rather than a prerequisite.

I'm lucky I live in an area with low light pollution so the mount will be permanently situated at home and I'll have access to power.