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starting astrophotographer

Gerhard

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carastro

carastro

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Collimation is not a thing I would particularly avoid: 

OK If that is the case, then I did have a SW 200PDS which I used for a few months for imaging with a DSLR and it worked fine.  I also used my mono CCD camera on it as well. You would need a coma corrector to flatten the field.

Carole 

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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"used for a few months"?? :-)

that is probably a phrase I will not be using, when talking scopes... eheheh... :-)

Anyway, will have to look up prices on the 200, because new it will probably out of range for my initial buy... Would be a nice combination when I get the HEQ5...

Maybe a nice second hand will magically turn up! :-D

About those secondhand sites: do you know if that Astrobuysell is only UK, or is it international? With second hand stuff, shipping will be an issue, of course... I will look for some similar sites here in Italy, but I'd need some info as to the trustworthy ones...

I will also look for a coma corrector, but it'll depend on the price how soon I'll buy one... 

The most probable case still remains at this point that I'll look for a SW 130 / 150 PDS Newt with EQ3-2 combination, to get started, and then gradually save up for HEQ5, coma corrector, Ha filter, 200PDS, in that order...

Are there any other "must haves" for the beginning AP enthousiast? Apart from laptop and software, which I will get to once I get some shots done...?

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RichM63

RichM63

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Are there any other "must haves" for the beginning AP enthousiast? Apart from laptop and software, which I will get to once I get some shots done...?

Clear skies help! ;)

Seriously though, the S/H market place is a good way to go, most keen amateurs will have looked after their kit, and generally only sell it when they are upgrading or changing tack, or sadly have moved closer to the heavens for a better view.

If you don't find a dedicated S/H Astronomy equipment website in Italy, look into your local Buy and Sell anything type of website and search for 'Telescope' there will be 'pro' kit in there, but for expensive purchases I make a practice of going to the vendor.

IIRC, I gave €300 for the 200P on N-EQ5 with extra counter weights inclusive, just because the seller thought it was broken due to poor collimation.

Don't buy accesories before you buy the telescope/mount.

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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hmmm... amazon it does not carry a SW 130 pds.... they have a 130P, which I don't know if it's the same... it doesn't even specify the type of mount... :-(

I inscribed on an astronomy forum in Italy a few days ago, but they haven't confirmed my user yet, so cannot write there yet...

I will have more info once I start the AP course... Maybe even one of the people over there will have someting interesting to sell!! :-DD

300 euros for a 200P with NEQ5?? lucky man.... :-)

it would be very frustrating to make up my mind what I want, but then not to find it..... :-/

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RichM63

RichM63

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I've always wanted a 512 BBI for €2000, but have no chance of finding one. :(.....again.. :( :( ;(

Make up your mind, as to what you want, and then search until you find it.

The secret is 'Patience'.

The 200P etc took me over a year to source.

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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ahhh, patience... that stranger.... :-)

but maybe not having loads of money available is a good thing, because it's making me think it over lots more... 

I will at least wait out the AP course to think about what I really need, and then where to find it.

in the meantime the camera adapter should arrive, and maybe I will be able to make some initial trial photos on my friend's scope, if more clear nights come along... with an 8" motorized SC I should be able to make some decent exposures of andromeda or the orion nebula...

first I have to find out what kind of exposures I need (light, dark, flat, etc...), but will do some sniffing around here... :-)

any suggestions would of course be welcome! :)

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DaveS

DaveS

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You mentioned Amazon. No, nohow never! They do not count as a reputable astronomy dealer. Avoid like ebola. Find a reputable astronomy specialist.

But you need a good solid mount, EQ5 absolute minimum unless you confine yourself to widefield imaging with a DSLR, when an EQ3-2 might do. Practically speaking an HEQ5 is the minimum reliable kit.

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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hmmm... as I said, I will definitely await the AP course, and get some good advice as to where to look for hardware... 

Amazon a big no-no? :-/

the only other italian site I found so far (www.tecnosky.it) does not have a lot of choice...

I tried www.astrosell.it, which is for S/H, but the subscription did not work.... they sent an email for confirmation, butthe link in that gave a big 404 not found........No comment...

thanks again Carole for the tip! finding the right scope will be harder than I thought, even after deciding which one...

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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looked up the Where to buy in Italyfor Skywatcher, which is Auriga, and, obviously they only have the normal SW 130 with EQ2, so definitely not getting that one... WIll have to look a bit more...

At least with accessories, which might be much less critical in shipping (lighter, less breakable, e.g. filters etc), I will be able to buy overseas etc... But that's a story for the future...

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RichM63

RichM63

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But this does give a perfect illustration of where the money is spent.

Vendibile anche separatamente:
- Tubo ottico e suoi accessori Euro 260,00
- Montatura e suoi accessori Euro 645,00

I saw a Celestron C8 + Mount on another Italian site for €500, evidently there are bargains out there.

Don't give up.

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Gerhard

Gerhard

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in fact the 130 pds is my prime subject at the moment. the link I posted was just to show what was available at the moment... If I had the money it would have been very tempting not to wait a little bit... :-)

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