StuartyD Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hello everyone, im Stuart, im new to Astronomy and looking for my first telescope, well first since i was 9 lol. Hoping i can be pointed in the right direction, i have a budget of upto £500 for a scope and im quite interested in astrophotography also, i've read good things about the Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 Newtonian Reflector and also quite interested in the Orion XT8 Dobsonian, read that the Skywatcher can also be used for astrophotography too.Anyway im looking forward to hearing opinions on the above scopes and any suggestions that you may have to help me get started.Stuart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Stuart and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartyD Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quark Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hello Stuart, It's a warm welcome to Stargazers Lounge from me also... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Welcome to the lounge and happy scope hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartyD Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOBBY Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Stuart...& welcome to the forummany 'scopes can be used for astro-photography...but, they ALL need a sturdy mount...you could start viewing with a 200 or 250 dob while you save for a good mount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Stuart and welcome to the forum.Before anyone embarks on imaging, I would always recommend buying Steve Richards "Making Every Photon Count" (FLO £19.95) It will tell you what kit to get and why you need it, modestly priced and will certainly save you money in helping you to avoid buying the wrong kit for the type of imaging you want to do. Wide field on the sky, webcam on the moon and planets or a full imaging rig to take images of deep sky objects such as galaxies and nebula is all contained in this book. I recommend it not only as a very good instructional guide but also as a way of accessing an honest overview of what you are getting into, after all, they don't call it the "dark art" for nothing! I would suggest reading the whole book first before getting any kit - there's no rush the stars aren't going anywhere and nor will your imaging unless your budget correctly. Good images won't cost you the earth but they might cost you a lot of time if you go about things the hard way which over the longer term will make imaging an onerous task.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maej Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi & Welcome to SGL I haven't got a scope so I can't comment on what the two you have suggested are like, but you should note you would need to get the tracking motors for the EQ5 as well so it will track on the longer exposures. Though I suspect many would say the EQ5 isn't stable enough for long exposures with a scope of that size anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaMike Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Stuart.Welcome to the forum.I can only second the opinions above. The mount is critical for imaging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appalachik Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericgraham Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi Stuart, Welcome to SGL!It may be too soon for you, but give some thought to what you want to photograph. Deep sky objects do require good guiding and exposures of minutes, ideally with an (expensive) cooled CCD camera. Moon and planets need good seeing most of all, and short exposures- possibly with a modded webcam. If you have a digital camera, you can mount it oiggy back on your scope, and use the scope for guiding for long exposure wide field images of DSOs.I think the choice of an 8 inch equatorial newt is a great starting telescope that will let you explore all of the above and give you a chance to find what interests you most.Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi Stuart, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi Stuart and wlcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Welcome to the forum Stuart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astroandy101 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi and Welcome to the lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 hi and welcome to sgl from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbytate Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hello Stuart and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Imp Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi Stuart and welcome from me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 hi welcome to sgl from bedfordshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkie Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi there stuart glad you could join us ......clear skies.........clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritc Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Welcome to SGL,Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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