Purchase check

[eikie]

Hello all,

 

My name is Peter and a long time viewer of this forum. However, I recently registered because after years of doubting, I am (finally) planning to start with astrophotography.

 

Initially I was planning to get a scope solely for planets, like a (small) maksutov, since the planets interested me the most. However, after reading and watching video's, my interest seems to be changing to DSO. And after visiting a more experienced astrophotographer, I'm quite certain DSO is the way to go for me.

The aformentioned photographer also suggested a starting set, which I would like to seek advice on.

 

It is a skywatcher 80ed DS-pro refractor on a heq5 pro mount.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-pro-heq5-pro.html

Plan is to use it visual in the beginning to get used to the scope and mount, as I have no experience at all. Maybe during that time I can use my smartphone to at least have some initial photo experience and something to show the wife  .

 

After that I will probably seek to buy a reducer/flatner and a camera to start making proper pictures. And after that, it all depends on how involved I become.

If the planets still attract me, I can always use that mount for a second planetary scope.

 

Does this sound as a valid plan with a sensible first scope? I would appreciate any advice and/or pointers.

 

[knobby]

HEQ5 is a great mount for imaging and frequently recommended. Maybe save a bit on the 80ed and try the 72ed (still a great scope) and with the money you save get a cheap used DSLR and T ting to dabble with imaging.

[Floater]

Welcome to the forum. Visual only, I have no advice to offer regarding AP but wish you well - and there are people here who know an awful lot ...

Have fun. 🙂

[eikie]

11 hours ago, knobby said:

HEQ5 is a great mount for imaging and frequently recommended. Maybe save a bit on the 80ed and try the 72ed (still a great scope) and with the money you save get a cheap used DSLR and T ting to dabble with imaging.

I have budget for a 80ed and a DSLR (probably used) but thought first to get used to the scope and mount as I have no experience at all. Starting off with that and the issues with taking photographs seemed a bit much in 1 go.

But maybe I figure out how to polar align and do star alignments plus focussing rather quickly, who knows...

[billyharris72]

I think this sounds like a great setup - probably the most common "beginner" astrophotography setup there is these days, and for good reason. The other option (maybe a little more demanding, but with more light grasp, tighter stars and actually less expensive) is the 130 P-DS. To be honest, there's not much in it, and the 80mm ED is by all accounts a keeper. It involves a lot less fiddling around in the dark than a Newt.

On the 72ED, I have one and have to say I'm retiring it as an imaging scope. The thing can't focus blue light. It's fine with an unmodded DSLR but on a mono rig the levels of CA are totally unacceptable. Add that to focus slop and a lack of in focus and to me that scope is just a dead end for imaging.

That said, I may have a bad one, but I've not been at all impressed.

Billy.

[eikie]

7 hours ago, billyharris72 said:

I think this sounds like a great setup - probably the most common "beginner" astrophotography setup there is these days, and for good reason. The other option (maybe a little more demanding, but with more light grasp, tighter stars and actually less expensive) is the 130 P-DS. To be honest, there's not much in it, and the 80mm ED is by all accounts a keeper. It involves a lot less fiddling around in the dark than a Newt.

On the 72ED, I have one and have to say I'm retiring it as an imaging scope. The thing can't focus blue light. It's fine with an unmodded DSLR but on a mono rig the levels of CA are totally unacceptable. Add that to focus slop and a lack of in focus and to me that scope is just a dead end for imaging.

That said, I may have a bad one, but I've not been at all impressed.

Billy.

Thank you, for now I'll keep my sights on the 80ed and forget about the 72. Like you said, you might have gotten a lemon, but since I have the money for a 80, why risk it.