LeoG Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hello everyone. First post and I could do with some words of wisdom. I've been into astronomy for a few years but I've only ever done visual stuff with my NexStar 130. After all this time I really fancy a crack at AP and plan on buying all new stuff soon but have a few questions about gear before I buy. I'm trying to do everything properly (to avoid ending up with all the gear and no idea) so I've read Making Every Photon Count and have made a shopping list which I'd appreciate some advice on. I have a MacBook Pro and ideally want to keep everything Mac based if possible. With that in mind I thought I'd get:- - EQ6 Pro - Sky Watcher 80ED APO - Sky Watcher ST80 (for guiding) - ZWO ASI 120 (for guiding) I thought I'd start out using my Canon DSLR and progress onto a CCD when I have some practical experience and know what I'm doing. I wondered if I use PHD2 if anyone could envisage any problems I may encounter or indeed recommend a better complete set-up in the £2k region? Thanks in advance Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uranium235 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 For a ~2k(ish) budget, you might even be able to jump straight into CCD imaing (Atik 314/414) if youre canny and pick up the mount and ED frac 2nd hand. Most kit is well looked after, so it neednt cost you and arm and a leg. A securely mounted 9x50 finderguider would also be sufficient to guide the 80ED (its also way cheaper), as an ST80 is overkill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveS Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 You'll also need a Skywatcher reducer / flattener for the ED80. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hi Leo and welcome to SGL, well done for doing a bit of research, your plan sounds a sound one all you're lacking is somewhere to buy clear skies While the Canon software and PHD work on the Mac I've recently been trying to get astro imaging on a MBP but have given up and bought a small Tosh' netbook. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel-K Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Great advice from Rob and dave. I would agree with rob about trying to source 2nd hand so you can go straight into CCD. its a steep learning curve but it will be well worth it. using a mono CCD and being able to image narrow band while the moon is up making the most of every clear niht possible. I used a DSLR first and it soon became apparent the limitations of what it could produce compared to the variety of the mono CCD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonestar70 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) Hi Leo, 10 hours ago, DaveS said: You'll also need a Skywatcher reducer / flattener for the ED80. You will also need the correct M48 Canon camera adaptor... a standard T2 Canon camera adaptor won't fit. http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/skywatcher-dslr-m48-ring-adapter.html Apart from some possible software issues for the MAC (the majority is written for windows) you should be good to go with that set-up. Perhaps another MAC user can recommend suitable software to use. Good luck and clear skies. Sandy. Edited February 12, 2016 by Lonestar70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoG Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. And all the words of wisdom. Very much appreciated. Good call on the reducer/flatener, I hadn't thought of that. And the M48 too. I've added those to the list. Just ordered it all from FLO. Feels like Christmas. Again. I initially chose the ST80 as I can also take it camping in the summer, I have two young sons 5 & 3 so hoping they'll show an interest at some point I imagine I'll be getting a CCD soon enough. Once my wife has recovered from the shock of the next bank statement. Thanks again guys Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoG Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 On 12 February 2016 at 13:50, Davey-T said: Hi Leo and welcome to SGL, well done for doing a bit of research, your plan sounds a sound one all you're lacking is somewhere to buy clear skies While the Canon software and PHD work on the Mac I've recently been trying to get astro imaging on a MBP but have given up and bought a small Tosh' netbook. Dave Hi Dave, I'd be interested to know which net book model you got and the specs? I've been using Macs for work since the 90s and have virtually no experience with PCs, but needs must... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steppenwolf Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Welcome to SGL, Leo. Your equipment choice is very sound especially with the additional adaptors outlined above. However, much as I appreciate that Mac users don't like to entertain Windows (perhaps with good reason!) I would rather urge you to consider Windows and a small laptop PC for this aspect of your computing life - it will make things so much easier for you! This is NOT a Mac v Windows can of worms starter as there is more than enough room for both but AP is difficult enough without the complication of suitable software/driver availability! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 42 minutes ago, LeoG said: Hi Dave, I'd be interested to know which net book model you got and the specs? I've been using Macs for work since the 90s and have virtually no experience with PCs, but needs must... Hi Leo, I bought a Toshiba Kira 109, 13", 128GB SSD, 8GB, Intel .5. You could get something a lot cheaper but this ticked all the boxes. Only a small HD but this is solely for image capture, processing is done on a bigger screen, sometimes even a Mac The good thing about it (other than Win 10 which is a pita) is the super battery life, runs all night no problem and it's very light Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARS1960 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) On 12/02/2016 at 23:48, Lonestar70 said: Perhaps another MAC user can recommend suitable software to use. My solution was to sell my MBP , i bought a dell xps infinity edge instead and TBH it blows the socks off the MBP anyway so i'm glad i did. Edited February 15, 2016 by MARS1960 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoG Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 9 hours ago, steppenwolf said: Welcome to SGL, Leo. Your equipment choice is very sound especially with the additional adaptors outlined above. However, much as I appreciate that Mac users don't like to entertain Windows (perhaps with good reason!) I would rather urge you to consider Windows and a small laptop PC for this aspect of your computing life - it will make things so much easier for you! This is NOT a Mac v Windows can of worms starter as there is more than enough room for both but AP is difficult enough without the complication of suitable software/driver availability! Hi Steve, Thanks for taking the time to give me your thoughts. Very much appreciated. I'm not usually one for brown-nosing, but great book! I'm currently reading it for the third time, trying to soak in all the info. Re the PC, I feared as much. I'm a freelance graphic designer so at least i'll be able to put it through the books In the mean time, anyone want to buy a kidney? Thanks again Leo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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