astrophotography set up.

[prasadka]

Hi

Now that I've decided that EQ5 will be the mount that I can currently afford (cost+portability), I have a decision to make on the choice of scope to go with it. I would prefer an 8" reflector, but the general opinion seems to be that an 8" reflector + fuji s2pro will push the EQ5 to its limit. So, if I decide to go the reflector way, is there anyway by which I can achieve an imaging set up? I dont mind buying a more light weight sort of a camera capable of long exposure imaging. I've seen the meade DSI go fairly cheap, for example. I would really appreciate some suggestions in this regard.

Thanks and regards,

Prasad

[Kai]

I suppose the first question is 'what type of imaging' are you planning on doing .

I would get yourself a webcam and have a go the Moon / Planets to see how your setup comes with that,then go the Dsi route and then onwards and upwards.

[blinky]

I would have to agree with Steve, get youself a webcam and if you can afford it get one that is modded. A modded SC1 webcam should allow exposures of up to 30 seconds although this does not sound much (when you look at some of the exposure time of the images here) I think this will be around the limit of the EQ5 mount, and you can stack them to increase the total exposure time.

I currently have an 8" Newt with a Willliam Optics ZS66 piggybacked. I am sure it is way over the limit but will have to do until I can afford and HEQ5.

[prasadka]

Hello,

I am looking at doing some deep sky imaging at somepoint of time, but I suppose, planets/moon is the logical place to start. Can I tag a light weight camera (A DSI perhaps?) to the setup?

If this set up wont work for deep sky imaging, then, will a short tube refractor work,if I piggy back it on a 6" Newt?

Sorry about the queries, but I am trying to get a balance between price, portability and "exposure" possible..

Cheers,

Prasad

[blinky]

Looks like you are going to do the same as me! I bought a ToUCam webcam (Very similer to the DSI) and started imaging the moon and Saturn last year. About 6 months ago I modified this webcam for long exposure images. This year I bought a WIlliam Optics ZS66 and have now got it biggy backed, this willnot be used for imaging along with a focal reducer to widen the field of view.

[Kai]

Is the mount driven ??

If not i would suggest it will be difficult to get long exposure images (not impossible but difficult)

[prasadka]

Hi Steve,

It is a driven mount which I am going to pick up off Ian (Lunator) hopefully soon.

This year I bought a WIlliam Optics ZS66 and have now got it biggy backed, this willnot be used for imaging along with a focal reducer to widen the field of view.

will "not" or will "now"??

Also, I've been able to find that the mount can take upto 9 kilos without any problems, but I have not been able to find the weight of a C8Newt.

Can anyone tell me what is the wt of a C8 Newt..

Cheers,

Prasad

Cheers,

Prasad

[blinky]

woops, yea will NOW be used for imaging

[Andrew*]

I'll weigh mine and get back to you, unless someone beats me to it

andrew

[prasadka]

Ah.. Danke..

Cheers,

Prasad

[peonic]

Well as soon as you've gotten the mount sorted, I'll loan you that Celestron 102SLT we talked about - and if you're a REALLY good boy, now that I have my ATIK coming, I'm going to have an Orion Starshoot DSI spare that you may as well borrow too.

This won't be the best astrophotography setup by any means, but it should be enough for you to 'learn the ropes' with - and start to make some inroads into focussing, capture and processing.

Chris

[gaelicstorm7]

Hi there,

I use an EQ5 mount for imaging with my Megres SD80 II for widefield astro stuff it's great for the easier to find brighter things !, I use a digital SLR (Canon 350D), which I find a great camera (can also piggyback it on the scope for really wide field stuff !), with a casual polar align, using the Megrez, 30 second exposures are easy, every one will be spot on, no trailing, 60 second exposures are a 7 or 8 out of ten success rate, 90 second exposures are a 4 or 5 out of ten success rate, I'm sure all these could be improved on with better polar alignment, in my experience the EQ5 is a great mount, reasonably portable, can hold a decent load (for what it is), and cheap !

Have also used it with my G8N with a Mead DSI and the 350D but just didn't like the images I got out of it, (more the fault of the scope I think as it's a great visual scope, bot not really made for imaging)

So to some up in my experience

EQ5 + Small refractor + Digital SLR = loads of fun !

Alan

[prasadka]

and if you're a REALLY good boy, now that I have my ATIK coming, I'm going to have an Orion Starshoot DSI spare that you may as well borrow too. Smile

I will be a good boy.. really really good boy.. I will be a

Cheers,

Prasad

...and he quitely curls up in a corner turning the telly off.