Imaging with Skywatcher 130p?

[Apollo_95]

Is this possible? If it is then any recommendations would be much appreciated.

[TareqPhoto]

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/210593-imaging-with-the-130pds/

[Adam J]

57 minutes ago, TareqPhoto said:

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/210593-imaging-with-the-130pds/

The 130p and the 130PDS are two different scopes. It is possible to image with a 130p but unlike the 130PDS it has not got sufficient back focus to make use of a DSLR and so you would need to use a dedicated camera or make some serious modifications to the scope. The other way to get it to work is to use a light Barlow but this is not ideal.

[TareqPhoto]

6 minutes ago, Adam J said:

The 130p and the 130PDS are two different scopes. It is possible to image with a 130p but unlike the 130PDS it has not got sufficient back focus to make use of a DSLR and so you would need to use a dedicated camera or make some serious modifications to the scope. The other way to get it to work is to use a light Barlow but this is not ideal.

1. He said, is it possible, and your answer means it is possible.

2. Even if it is a bit different than PDS version but not so big huge different, the aperture and focal length and even the focal ratio all the same, so it will show him what kind of image it will show.

3. The modification you talked about is exactly what OP was looking for, so you answered him and i gave him a link for a forum to see examples from a same modified scope, now it is up to him if he should go with PDS over non DS version, but if he is already went with non DS then he just should follow your advise about modification and he is in PDS boat or level.

[Kropster]

I don't recall the OP asking about modifications.

 

[triton1]

The sw 130pDS seems to have proved itself as a very good imaging scope as can be seen in the thread linked above,however the mount is probably more important,a eq5 may suffice but a  heq5 would be the way to go.If you read the thread above check out the signatures to see the equipment they utilise to get the images this will give you a ball park to see what's needed.

[bobro]

14 hours ago, Apollo_95 said:

Is this possible?

As Adam J says above it is possible. I image with a modified Meade Polaris 130EQ, which is basically the same scope as the SkyWatcher 130. I shortened the OTA by 40mm.

Do you have a SkyWatcher 130 or are you looking to purchase a scope?

[Apollo_95]

I have the 130P. Thanks for the help

[bobro]

You can image the Moon using a webcam in place of the eyepiece without modifying the scope.

To image deep sky objects, which are much less bright, a DSLR is typically attached to the focus tube. For best results the scope needs to be shortened to achieve focus - not very difficult for someone who doesn't mind a bit of diy.

With a motor added, the shortened scope will be able to achieve about 30 second exposures, allowing brighter objects such as the Orion Nebula, Pleiades and other Messier objects/star clusters to be captured. 

Here is a photo of my scope ready for shortening : http://guiding.web.fastmail.co.uk/OTA Shortening/

 

[happy-kat]

If you already own a DSLR and lens then you can image DSO without the telescope using either a static though motorised mount would be better. A camera 135mm prime lens is a nice length and some DSO are so big that the lens saves having to do a mosaic to image them.