Imaging Setup

[Red Top Miguel]

Good Morning Everyone,

So I’m currently looking at moving into imaging as I love the visual but rarely get to share my experiences with my family. 
Im about to retire from the Navy, I’m only 40 however my time of 22 years is up and that means full pension and payout some of which I would like to use for a good setup. 
The equipment I’m looking at is:

1. StellaMira 104mm ED2 Triplet APO              2. Rowan AZ100 Alt-Az Mount (with encoders & NEXUS DSC)                                                   3. Berlebach Planet with Double Clamps        4. ZWO ASI 294MC-PRO
 

My question to you all as the experts is, is this a good start or would you recommend something else?

Thank you Mick

[PeterCPC]

If you want to do serious imaging you should get an equitorial mount. have a look at the FLO website.

Peter

[Eddie Jones]

1 minute ago, PeterCPC said:

If you want to do serious imaging you should get an equitorial mount. have a look at the FLO website.

Peter

+ 1

[Red Top Miguel]

10 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

If you want to do serious imaging you should get an equitorial mount. have a look at the FLO website.

Peter

Thank you Peter,

Would the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO Go-To be a good choice? 
 

Mick

[PeterCPC]

Yes that would do the job.

Peter

[Eddie Jones]

HEQ5 is well respected and often considered the baseline for Astrophotography
The  EQ6-R is the next step up (more payload capacity and belt drive - less backlash) so would be good choice and would allow you to upgrade to larger scopes.

[johninderby]

The AZ100 is a great Alt-Az mount and I love mine for visual. However as mentioned for AP you will need an EQ mount. The EQ6 is a really good “ budget” mount that many are using very successfully for AP.

[Red Top Miguel]

Thanks John, 

As always great help! 

[Pompey Monkey]

There is always the azeq6 gt if you want to do visual and AP with the same mount.

Skywatcher mounts are excellent value for money, easy to use, and well supported through ASCOM/EQMOD for AP.

[KyleStoke]

I was always told to spend as much money as you can from your budget on the mount as it is the base for everything.

having said that what do you want to photograph and where.

Small galaxies = longer focal length scope so more stability probably require a higher payload also.

Large nebula = larger FOV so perhaps a lens would be better this would reduce payload so a smaller mount would do.

[Hals]

There isn't a "one rig does it all" but I'd echo what everyone else said about the mount. It's paramount (no pun intended...)