astrophotography

[whitestar83]

Now i know this is a big area and im very sure there has been alot of talk about this...i have a skywatcher skyliner dobsonia 200p telescope with a canon 5d mk 3 camera...i have the appropriate equipment to mary the two together...now what im wanting to know is what are the limits of my telescope for astrophotography?  I know that not having any tracking is a major negative:(

kind regards

nick

[whitestar83]

sorry should have put marry..sorry people

[RikM]

Without tracking, unfortunately you are pretty much limited to lunar snap shots. The good news is that these can come out every nicely indeed

[whitestar83]

what about planetary objects such as jupiter and saturn??? seen alot of people with photos on the net using similar telescope and no tracking?

kind regards

nick

[Lonestar70]

Hi Nick,

Take a look on the 'Imaging, tips, tricks and techniques forum...ther is a new post by 'Memory Bliss' on doing planetary imaging with a dob.

If your DLSR can do video then it may work with this ... otherwise you will need to get a suitable webcam.

Hope this helps.

Sandy.

[Sandancer10]

You should be able to capture anything with a fast shutter speed - Planets, Moon. To do DSO you will need to take 30 to 60 second or even longer subs and that means tracking. 

[ronin]

Really you need tracking for planets, the dobsonian mount is an Alt/Az type. So if you had tracking then with a webcam planetary imaging is possible.

For DSO's you need an equitorial mount with tracking, which is a significant change from the present set up. Especially as if the idea is to take the 200P OTA and put it on an equitorial you really are looking at the HEQ5 simply to get a more stable platform.

[Alien 13]

No body would ever recomend anyone going out and getting a dob and camera for astrophotography but if you already own the equipment then go for it.

I have seen lots of good luna and planetry images taken through a dob even a few DSO that are amazing if you are anything like me then i push equipment to its limits adding tweeks and mods along the way.

The lack of an EQ mount is a big negative but you can still get to learn the concepts of astro work and will be in a much better position when choosing your next set up.

Alan

[whitestar83]

I like to learn..and I love my 8inch dobsonian...oneday i will get a motorised tracking system, but till then i am a novice and have a lot to learn   all of your advice s very much appreciated people  

[whitestar83]

so im guessing i can take telescope tubing and attach it to a eq mount with appropriate rings to secure in place???

[RikM]

Yes, you just need a beefy equatorial mount (HEQ5 / NEQ6) appropriate sized tube rings and dovetail bar.

Here's a Skyliner 250PX OTA on an NEQ6

[whitestar83]

thats an impressive pieces of equipment  i best get saving