Equipment to get started

[Hoshii]

To get started my partner has been using an old DSLR with a zoom lens on a cheap tripod to take some wide field images. We're at an urban location so facing the usual challenges of light pollution from street lamps and garden lights, etc.  I'm quite keen on visual but cannot run to the expense of a mount, telescope, and imaging equipment all at once. Therefore, thinking to proceed firstly with improvements in imaging capability (also staying with wide field initially) to encourage my partners interest in the hobby. I'm wondering if the Skywatcher Star Adventurer Pro might be a good way forward at this time. That is under £300 and only needs a better tripod. Earlier I've used Manfrotto tripods for photography. Is there anything out there worth considering (bang for the buck) compared to the e.g. Manfrotto 055? Would you suggest 4 leg or 3 leg versions? Not sure how the camera performs as I've not used it myself but guessing that at least a fixed focal length lens - and probably a new (used) DSLR (possibly modded) would be the next step.

The other route would be to get a mount, which my partner insists must be a goto. When funds permit I'd like to invest in a mount such as a HEQ5 Pro, thinking that it is semi-portable and could be taken on holiday or to dark sites and would have the capacity for telescope equipment I am likely to buy. Next step would be a better DSLR (used) and a small refractor (used).  So this is the more expensive route to take. The other thing with the former option is it's possibly going to get more use due to portability and ease of setup for my partner (in case of the HEQ5 Pro - or whatever mount  - I'd have to set it up myself). 

Your thoughts and suggestions are most welcome.

 

 

[PeterCPC]

I think that you need to be more specific about the budget to enable folks to advise better.

Peter

[Hoshii]

At this stage no more than £1200 to spend.

[PeterCPC]

Then I think your suggestion of HEQ5Pro with something like a Skywatcher Evostar ED80DSPro would be a good start with a modded Canon DSLR.

Peter

[Dr Strange]

4 hours ago, PeterCPC said:

Then I think your suggestion of HEQ5Pro with something like a Skywatcher Evostar ED80DSPro would be a good start with a modded Canon DSLR.

Peter

I would second this recommendation. Alternatively if you want to do this on a more limited budget the Star Adventurer is a good option for very wide field low cost imaging with the camera you have. It works well for its price point. 

[Hoshii]

Thanks both for the suggestions, which seem to meet our needs very well.

I'd thought to buy a Star Adventurer or SkyGuider Pro, which would be great for mobility. Adding up costs including a tripod is getting close to the cost of HEQ5Pro. Will need to give that further thought in consideration of weather conditions, need to travel (neighbourhood light pollution, etc.), and expected time in use. Once things get back to normal an occasional camp/star party could be a possibility too.

Incidentally, is there a good protective case to use with HEQ5 pro and a bag that fits the tripod? 

[jonathan]

For a case you could look at either the Pelican style foam-filled cases (rather expensive, but I hear they are very good) or try to use the packing the mount / OTA came in and place it inside something like a Curver or Really Useful Box (I prefer the Curver as the lid can be hinged and the latches feel more secure).  The HEQ5 mount (minus the tripod) will be quite heavy and tricky to handle, you'd probably want stiff foam to keep it in place.

When I've taken my NEQ6 Pro to a dark site I just placed it in the footwell, it can't go anywhere then.  Tripod in the boot along with the OTA in its plastic Curver box, eyepiece and other flight cases fill in the gaps in the boot.  It's amazing just how much stuff one needs to set up a scope!  Don't forget the power pack / leisure battery, finder scope, controller, counterweights, extension bar, etc.  It would be useful to do some trial runs, get all of the equipment out in daylight and break it down into what needs to (or could) be in cases and what does not.

For the tripod you could look at a snowboard bag, personally I never bothered for the tripod, just remove the accessory tray (keep the nut and washer in a safe place) and wrap it in a thick blanket if necessary.

Edited June 11, 2020 by jonathan

[nfotis]

I am at a similar situation (minus a car, in a light-polluted city). As a Canon shooter, I have used up to a 400mm lens (plus a 1.4x teleconverter) for shooting the Moon, but I wanted more reach. So, I arranged for a Skywatcher Maksutov 127 (Skymax series), to reach for a  full moon disk on a tripod.

Next stage, I am thinking about a HEQ5 Pro mount for the Mak, and adding a planetary camera and a better eyepiece. From this, I might proceed to the Skymax 180 - the light pollution is so bad here in Athens that barely we discern some planets and Polaris. So, DSO isn't in the cards at the moment for me.

N.F.

[cletrac1922]

On 03/06/2020 at 21:40, Hoshii said:

To get started my partner has been using an old DSLR with a zoom lens on a cheap tripod to take some wide field images. We're at an urban location so facing the usual challenges of light pollution from street lamps and garden lights, etc.  I'm quite keen on visual but cannot run to the expense of a mount, telescope, and imaging equipment all at once. Therefore, thinking to proceed firstly with improvements in imaging capability (also staying with wide field initially) to encourage my partners interest in the hobby. I'm wondering if the Skywatcher Star Adventurer Pro might be a good way forward at this time. That is under £300 and only needs a better tripod. Earlier I've used Manfrotto tripods for photography. Is there anything out there worth considering (bang for the buck) compared to the e.g. Manfrotto 055? Would you suggest 4 leg or 3 leg versions? Not sure how the camera performs as I've not used it myself but guessing that at least a fixed focal length lens - and probably a new (used) DSLR (possibly modded) would be the next step.

The other route would be to get a mount, which my partner insists must be a goto. When funds permit I'd like to invest in a mount such as a HEQ5 Pro, thinking that it is semi-portable and could be taken on holiday or to dark sites and would have the capacity for telescope equipment I am likely to buy. Next step would be a better DSLR (used) and a small refractor (used).  So this is the more expensive route to take. The other thing with the former option is it's possibly going to get more use due to portability and ease of setup for my partner (in case of the HEQ5 Pro - or whatever mount  - I'd have to set it up myself). 

Your thoughts and suggestions are most welcome.

 

 

 

First of all welcome from Land Down Under

An ED80, ED100 or ED120 on either a EQ5pro of HEQ5 goto is your best option

Have attached pic of my ED80 on a EQ5pro mount taken at a club solar field day last year

In the background is a second ED80 on HEQ5 mount, with camera attached

We were in a park on the goldcoast foreshore, and inviting the public walking past, to view the sun

That day I left my ED80 for visual viewing

You can also now get a WiFi adapter, and download the SynScan App, which is also attached

John