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which way to go with a scope?

daaveyboy

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daaveyboy

daaveyboy

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Hi all

I am looking at getting a Celestron CPC 1100 GPS (XLT) or a Celestron CGEM DX GOTO mount with a Celestron C11 XLT Optical Tube Assembly on it,

The Celestron CPC 1100 GPS (XLT) would be a cheaper option of the 2 but I would like to do photography in the future and hope to use the mount with a different scope, would the latter be the best way to go.

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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Yep, you're better off with the next option - C11 with equatorial mount.

However, you don't necessarily need such a big scope for astrophotography unless you aim for high res planetary images. If you're going DSOs imaging, then a small apo refractor will do the job.

Don't worry, your font looks OK to me :)

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rowan46

rowan46

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perhaps is the short answer. you need a gem for long exposure and providing you are using a scope with a fast focal ratio it should work on that mount  however there is another way you could get a largish dob for observing and an eq6 for photography with possibly an ed80 for a similar price

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-flextube-goto.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-neq6-pro-synscan.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-ds-pro-outfit.html

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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White dwarf says If you're going DSOs imaging, then a small apo refractor will do the job.

Will a smaller scope with a lower f setting get good images for DSO

LOL - White dwarf is a class based on your post count I think. I'm Emad by the way.

Yes, the most common choice within the budget for astro-photography is the Sky-watcher 80ED. As far as I'm aware big telescopes with Fastar compatibility like the C11 are great for planets and spectroscopy - and visual of course. But If you look around you'll find that most DSO imagers use small apo-chormatic refractors. They at least provide a much bigger field of view than a Schmidt Cassegrain.

When I did astro-photography my main scope was the 80ED - it was great as grab and go visual telescope as well.

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Pig

Pig

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LOL @ White Dwarf, I thought I was the only one that made that mistake when I first started :smiley: I was thinking so many people have the same name !!!

I can read your font just fine also, but my background is white :smiley:

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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Many thanks for all the info.

Just one more question do 2" eyepieces give a better view?

There are pros and cons for 2" eyepieces...better or worse views are not part of that.

2" will allow more field of view - but in my experience I found this is only effective in focal lengths over 24mm. I stand corrected.

The two bad things about 2" EPs are the price (usually more expensive than 1.25" EPs of the same focal length) and they're often heavy. If you happened to have a small telescope or a Dob where balance is critical then a 2" EP will be a challenge. I've got a Baader Scopos 35mm and it weights over 1 Kg...and it is really big. If you want to change the eyepiece you always need to re-balance the telescope. Having said that, it's the kind of device that gives a space-walk views.

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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Forgot to say, bear in mind that there a lot of  1.25" medium-small size eyepieces with massive field of view (68-82 degree) that won't tip your telescope balance or bankrupt you. Springs to mind  the Explore Scientific 11mm 82-degree eyepiece and the 24mm with similar field of view.

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Scott

Scott

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Hi Davey, 

Astronomy, and in particular, telescopes can be a real minefield. From what I can gather, (correct me if I'm wrong) you want to start off with some visual astronomy and move on to do a bit of A.P.

First of all, there isn't really one telescope that does everything (although a 8-10" newt on an eq mount isn't bad). 

Also, you need to decide which field of A.P. you are wanting to get into. (the requirements for Moon is totally different than Dso's which are totally different from Solar)

If I was to have my time again, I'd get a nice Dobsonian (8-10") to start with. they are arguably THE best scope for visual and can be used to do a bit of webcam imaging also.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html or

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-dobsonian.html

Then, if you still think you'd like to get into DSO imaging,look at getting a good eq mount with a nice frac.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-pro-heq5-pro.html

With reguards to 2" e.p.'s....I wouldn't bother to start with....you'll soon work out whether you want them or not. (i've opted for not as I prefer A.P.)

Regardless of what you decide, If you plan on doing any Deep Sky Imaging then make your very first purchase

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

Hope this Helps

Scott

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daaveyboy

daaveyboy

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Thanks to everybody who replied.

I have been looking at the prices for the scope + eyepieces and a power pack and it looks as it is at my top end,if I were to drop down to a 8" (possibly the edge HD)  what would the impact be on what I could see, would it be significant?

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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Thanks to everybody who replied.

I have been looking at the prices for the scope + eyepieces and a power pack and it looks as it is at my top end,if I were to drop down to a 8" (possibly the edge HD)  what would the impact be on what I could see, would it be significant?

11 inch and 8 inch...there's definitely a noticeable difference in light collection. a 10" for example collects 48% more light than an 8".

Plus, I'm not sure why you insist on going the Schmidt Cassegrain way if you want to image. For the money that you'll spend on an 8" edge HD you can get an 80ED for imaging and a 10" Dobsonian for visual.

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