Jump to content

sgl_imaging_challenge_2021_annual.thumb.jpg.3fc34f695a81b16210333189a3162ac7.jpg

Hi Guys

Mattyboy1658

By Mattyboy1658,
in Welcome

 Share Followers 2

Recommended Posts

Mattyboy1658

Mattyboy1658 6

Posted
Posted

Hi All,

Seems like a really good site here with users from the UK which is nice.

I've been interested in the stars and the night sky for some time however have never really taken the plunge to get a scope ect.

I started to build my own scope a few months back on the cheap but I've decided to purchase a decent refractor for deep sky imaging instead because I'm rather eager to get out, I already have a gem goto mount.

Can anyone give recommendations on a good quality refractor?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Matt

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites
mark81

mark81 1,004

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, Maxrayne said:

Welcome Matt

I would say that depends on your budget and what your mount can take :)

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/esprit-professional-refractors/skywatcher-esprit-ed-80-pro-triplet.html Would love to get thi?s scope myself after seeing the review for it on AstroBackYard. Sadly I'm still at the ST102 stage. One day....

Nothing wrong with the st102.? I'm still on the st80...which I really do enjoy for it's super fast setup and widefield views.  I saw the esprit on Astrobackyard too.. but after months of thought, I don't think AP is for me. Having and ed scope is the goal I suppose, but as long as astronomy can be done, it's all good. ?

Also, welcome Matt

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
Mattyboy1658

Mattyboy1658 6

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks guys for the nice welcome,

 

I'd be looking to spend around 300-500 ish on the second hand market, I'd prefer an ed or an apochomat but as long as the scope can produce nice sharp images.

I was looking at a used Williams optics zenithstar 71 and also a ts optics ed80 but don't really know what their capabilities are in terms of astrophotography, I could tell you plenty about photography lenses  but not quite up to par with telescopes.

I have found you can get scopes way cheaper on the American used market but unfortunately the shipping costs are rather high.

I did have a Meade etx70 which bought broken and repaired and sold on to fund a better scope.

The mount I have is the Meade lxd55 gem with 497 autostar controller .

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
Maxrayne

Maxrayne 203

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, mark81 said:

Nothing wrong with the st102.? I'm still on the st80...which I really do enjoy for it's super fast setup and widefield views.  I saw the esprit on Astrobackyard too.. but after months of thought, I don't think AP is for me. Having and ed scope is the goal I suppose, but as long as astronomy can be done, it's all good. ?

Also, welcome Matt

True enough on the ST80. I have it mounted on the SynScan Alt-AZ GoTo mount at my home. Was previously using it on an SW SA and captured my first Horsehead with it ❤️ Now have the ST102 on the SA at the kids house, but have yet to get out with it (Dirty Diana playing havoc with the weather!)

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
ukuleledaveey

ukuleledaveey 73

Posted
Posted

Hello and welcome, yep fabulous people here, so friendly and extremely helpful and encouraging.

Im a total noobie so i can offer no imput,but a very warm hello and pray for these clouds to dissapear from here in herts.

Beat wishes

Dave

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
barkis

barkis 5,571

Posted
Posted (edited)

Welcome to SGL Matt. Good luck with putting your first Imaging system together.          Whilst a decent quality scope is essential, you need to focus on a good quality mount.
The mount should ideally be  robust enough to cope with future telescope upgrades that follow your initial rig.
You then insure against having to spend more money. Best to plan ahead. Imaging is a desirable activity  but it can also be expensive, so budget your spending in line with your ambition.
Any help you might need, is available from the many experts on the forums here.  They will welcome any questions you have.   

 Best Wishes 
 Ron.

 

 

                                                  

 

Edited by barkis
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
Mattyboy1658

Mattyboy1658 6

Posted
  • Author
Posted
20 minutes ago, ukuleledaveey said:

Hello and welcome, yep fabulous people here, so friendly and extremely helpful and encouraging.

Im a total noobie so i can offer no imput,but a very warm hello and pray for these clouds to dissapear from here in herts.

Beat wishes

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Tell me about it the weather has been absolutely terrible recently I'm hoping it clears soon ?

Hoping to get down to Galloway forest park at some point soon to have a little play around with the scope when I get it.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
ukuleledaveey

ukuleledaveey 73

Posted
Posted
28 minutes ago, Mattyboy1658 said:

Thanks Dave,

Tell me about it the weather has been absolutely terrible recently I'm hoping it clears soon ?

Hoping to get down to Galloway forest park at some point soon to have a little play around with the scope when I get it.

Im off to suffolk on monday for 4 nights staying in a kog cabin taking my dob with me,i bought my first eyepice last week havent had a chance to use it yet lol.

Good luck wuth your purchase ajd look forward to seeing you aroumd on the forum.

Best wishes from me  ?

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
Mattyboy1658

Mattyboy1658 6

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 26/12/2018 at 17:01, Pete Presland said:

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire ?

Hi Pete,

Thanks for you're warm welcome, everyone has been nice here and very good for advice.

Looking forward to getting a clear night, so far been cloudy up here.

 

Matt.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Followers 2
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.

  I accept