A Visual observing "vs" Imaging Poll. Which one are you ?

[RobH]

Both.

When the imaging scopes are running, I use the 12 inch dob to observe if the mood takes me.

I like to try to visually find the object I'm imaging, without using any computer assistance.

Rob

[spaceboy]

I enjoy both but Imaging opens up so much more to "see", so right now I must spend my time..

Imaging 80%

Visual 20%

Good idea Spaced

To get a more accurate total for those who like both can all NEW POSTS please include a percentage. If you like both equally a simple 50/50 will do but if you could pick one over the other in the hope it will make for a more interesting result

SPACEBOY

[spaceboy]

Update on the scores:

VISUAL OBSERVER: 18

STRICTLY IMAGER: 10

BOTH: 11

[reddoss]

Imaging 70%

Visual 30%

for me

[spaceboy]

Thanks Reddoss

I'm hoping the percentages will help define a more clear winner. Wish I had thought of it DOH!!

SPACEBOY

[Mike Hawtin]

Imaging 60

Visual 40

that is more a reflection on the time spent on each as opposed to the satisfaction factor which for me is 50/50, as I enjoy both activities equally.

[George]

Strictly Imaging ......not had an eyepiece in the scope for years thanks to the LP here.

[russ]

Visual for me - tried the dark side but it did not appeal

That's sums it up for me too. Would like to try my hand at sketching one day but never get the time (poor excuse i know).

[Ant]

Imaging only for me. Although I have been known to look through the polar scope from time to time.

Ant

[russ]

Update on the scores:

VISUAL OBSERVER: 18

STRICTLY IMAGER: 10

BOTH: 11

Good that we have a nice split of scores and quite a surprise visual is doing so well. I expected it the other way round.

[russ]

Imaging only for me. Although I have been known to look through the polar scope from time to time.

Ant

Perhaps those dark skies may tempt you to try an eyepiece.....guessing probably not though

[GazOC]

Good that we have a nice split of scores and quite a surprise visual is doing so well. I expected it the other way round.

I though it'd be close. I think peoples perceptions of the split is affected by the fact that imagers generally have a "product" to post on SGL whereas, although the visual guys can write observing reports, I don't think many bother posting up that they've just seen M13 for the 1000th time.

[Tim]

What's an eyepiece?

Its one of those things you strip down to make an extension tube for a webcam........

I have binoculars though, and a visual only PST, so now I am confused

[Demonperformer]

98% imager - mainly due to the appalling LP with which I have to deal.

[dobbie]

Visual , at the moment, oh no don't go down that route dobbie.. you can't afford it..

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk

[Macavity]

Videocam - Does that count as "imaging"?

Though little real routine established yet...

[Tyr]

So far just visually observing, I wouldn't mind being able to take some pictures so I can look back as it were at what I've been looking at or show some other people.

However I don't have a DSLR or particularly good daytime photography skills, and I'm not planning to splash out on a camera.

The big draw for me having see the moon and the orion nebular through a scope on holiday was wow you can really see that kind of thing with your own eyes! So far I've been very pleased to achieve similar views of the moon with a small scope and some great views of Saturn.

At the moment though all I'm looking at is cloud after cloud after cloud I must stop ordering them along with the odds and sods I keep buying.

Tyr

[Zakalwe]

95% imaging for me.

I can loose hours scanning the Moon in the 8" SCT, and the brighter nebula (M42 for instance), but views of DSO stuff doesn't impress me at all, especially when I know how much detail is there to be teased out using the imaging kit. Maybe a proper dark sky area would help, but then I'd be itching to get the 'frac and CCD out.

[spaceboy]

VISUAL OBSERVER: 20

STRICTLY IMAGER: 16

BOTH: 12

I see the score are getting closer now percentages have been included.

[astro_al]

Visual only for me. I tried imaging but in the end it just became too complicated for me to enjoy as the setup ate into so much of my 'astro time'. Maybe if I had an observatory I would give it a go again.

AL

[jgs001]

Both for me too... I normally get the bins out when I'm imaging deep sky

[Astro Imp]

Visual for me, but hugely enjoy the great images produced by those over on the Dark Side.

[robbie c]

Visual for me but I'v only just got into Astronomy so maybe in the future I might get into Imaging

[Radman40]

What is this life, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare........we actually there is a bit of time to look at the sky but not to spend hours messing around with photoshop.......VISUAL!!!!!

[mag10]

Both.

Nothing compares to having your eye to the EP, but imaging M42 and getting colour where an EP only shows gray is very satisfying also.