My first scope, probably refractor on goto mount

[raf2020]

Hello Guys,

A bit of background at the beginning. I am new member and absolutely beginner amateur astrophotographer. So far I have used Nikon P900 to do my first catch ups on Jupiter and Saturn. I have improved a bit but I don't think so I can do much more on it. This one was taken few days ago, converted from .mov to .avi with PIPP then stacked from avi with AutoStakker 3 and a bit adjusted. I have watched tons of videos, tutorials and howtos on YT (for example AstroBackyard or AstroBiscuit) and now I am very close to realize dream since my childhood - to have a scope.

Initially I wasn't sure I should start with Newtonian/Dobsonian, Schmidt-Cassegrain (like Celestron AVX 6-8 inches) or 80mm refractor. There is a lot of opinions that is very good to start with Dobsonian as you can learn a lot as it is fully manual and giving plenty of fun and decent planetary observations. If you are headstrong even some DSO astrophotography is possible on it. But I have to admit I'm not 20 no more so it could give me more pain and frustration with blurry images than fun. So that's why I have gave up on this idea.

So on the field I had Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes vs refractors. First one is very good for planetary astrophotography and observations, which I love. (I haven't mentioned yet - astrophotography will be my goal rather than observations). To make decision I have tried to find an answer what will disappoint me more? Planets on 80mm refractors or DSO on 6-8 inches Celestrons AVX? Unfortunately I didn't find it, so I have had to find another way to pick one.

In general DSO astrophotography probably will give me much more space to explore than planetary shoots. And that's why I am very close to pick mid quality 80mm refractor (bigger are too expensive for me). 

In here I will finish background part of my post but I would love to see your comments on it aswell. Is my way of thinking correct? Now I will move to something more precised and actually what I have picked (or I am very close to pick).

Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro on HEQ5 PRO mount. Tbh it is also a bit too expensive for me, at least more expensive than I have considered to spend on this. Especially when I am aware it is just low-mid level and I will need to spend another ~500 quids on second hand DSLR and accessories. 

I have found this offer Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro & HEQ5 PRO which looks pretty ok'ish and I have few related questions:

1. Do I rly need to spend another 200 euros on Sky-Watcher .85x Reducer/Flattener for ED80 considering astrophotography? I know it's strongly recommended but perhaps I can start without and then when image quality will be dissatisfy me I will add this? It is almost half of scope price. Maybe I can get some cheaper replacement?

2. This offer includes Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro Outfit. Do I rly need outfit version? For example this stock finderscope will allow me to plug ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono? (I have picked this one because it is cheapest available, hopefully it will do the job :ASD). I know other accessories will allow me to do observations from time to time, what is actually great but if I cannot attache tracking cam to stock finderscope it could be a bit pointless so maybe I should get Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro OTA instead of outfit?

3. I am going to buy used Canon D-series and probably mod it by removing of red light filter plus maybe add fan. I know I will need Astro Essentials M48 Camera Adapter. But do I also need things like Astro Essentials 2" Nosepiece to Male M48 Thread, Sky-Watcher EvoFrame Camera Rotator for Evostar 80 or Astro Essentials Filter Cell Adapter for Sky-Watcher ED Series Flatteners, Astro Essentials Adapter for Sky-Watcher Focal Reducers if I will go with Sky-Watcher .85x Reducer/Flattener for ED80? Sorry but I am not familiar yet with those small adapters.

4. A bit dummy question, but Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED is better for astrophotography than cheaper but widely recommended Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED?

5. Regarding HEQ5 PRO mount. Do I need to buy Lynx Astro FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter for Sky-Watcher Mounts to plug it to my laptop? I can not see any PC cable is included.

6. Mount has 12v Cigarette DC Power Cable included. It works on batteries or AC adapter? (which is apparently not included?).

7. I assume most accurate way to control it will be through external software and finderscope/guidecam?

8. Taking of photos and general controlling of camera. Does this mount have option like this or should I buy cheap, external controller for camera?

9. What I can expect on this regarding planets? I know it is not rly suitable, but any examples of Jupiter or Saturn? How much detailed it could be? I could not find anything.

10. Do I need William Optics Bhatinov Mask? I know it helps a lot to find the focus, but tbh 45 quids for piece of plastic is a bit expensive : P Should I consider to find replacement?

 

Guys, sorry for wall of text but I tried to explain my needs and doubts best I could. I know it is a lot and maybe I haven't described it precisely but I have tried. I would really appreciate any advices.

Cheers,

Raf2020

Edited September 17, 2020 by raf2020

[raf2020]

Folks I think that I have found answers for most of my questions. Still I am not sure on two:

2. Will I be able to plug ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono straight away to stock finderscope of Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro Outfit?

4. Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED DS-Pro and Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro are apochromate or achromate? Different sources provides different infos, especially regarding Evostar 80ED DS-Pro. Or maybe there is a two different versions of it? Anyway common for all sources is that those scopes have two glasses, what mean, if I am not wrong, it is achromate (does apochromate mean it should have minimum 3 glasses?). Common is FPL-53 glass as well. I have found that some of them have in description Schott BK-7 + FPL-53 glass, some only FPL-53 so I am rly confused on it.

 

Thank you for any answers,

Raf2020

Edited September 16, 2020 by raf2020

[Shimrod]

11 minutes ago, raf2020 said:

Folks I think that I have found answers for most of my questions. Still I am not sure on two:

2. Will I be able to plug ZWO ASI 120MM Mini USB 2.0 Mono straight away to stock finderscope of Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro Outfit?

 

I suspect the answer to that question is no, as FLO sell an adapter to do just what you are asking:  Finderscope adapter and you may also need to add an extension tube to get focus. Hopefully someone with experience of this will be along shortly to confirm.

[Budgie1]

You will need the adaptor to connect the ZWO ASI 120mm Mini to the 9x50 finder scope. I have one on the way at the moment to do exactly this for guiding.

FLO sell the camera, finder scope & adaptor as bundle for those who don't already have a finder.  

[raf2020]

Thanks guys, now this is much clearer for me. Last (at least for now :ASD) is doubt about achromate and apochromate construction regarding Evostars 72ED DS-Pro and 80ED DS-Pro. Hopefully someone will be able to shed a bit of light on it.

Cheers

[Shimrod]

8 hours ago, raf2020 said:

Thanks guys, now this is much clearer for me. Last (at least for now :ASD) is doubt about achromate and apochromate construction regarding Evostars 72ED DS-Pro and 80ED DS-Pro. Hopefully someone will be able to shed a bit of light on it.

Cheers

Both are apochromatic telescopes - The 80ed has FPL-53 glass, but Skywatcher do not say what glass is used in the 72ed. Both are widely used telescopes, so I would worry less about the type of glass and look at the feedback from the many happy users of both scopes. I have an 80ed because I wanted a slightly longer focal length than the 72ed.

[raf2020]

5 hours ago, Shimrod said:

Both are apochromatic telescopes - The 80ed has FPL-53 glass, but Skywatcher do not say what glass is used in the 72ed. Both are widely used telescopes, so I would worry less about the type of glass and look at the feedback from the many happy users of both scopes. I have an 80ed because I wanted a slightly longer focal length than the 72ed.

Reliable source has confirmed to me that both are a bit fake apochromatic as there is only 2 glasses, but by correction of EG glass it give an effect pretty close to apochromate. This is reasonable as this is half of price than fully apochromate scopes of that size costs. I think it is worth trying as 1st one still and probably I will go for it.

Thank you all!

Edited September 17, 2020 by raf2020

[jonathan]

The 80ED was the scope I looked at for getting into astrophotography, a good choice!  In the end I decided to go for a more visual route so bought Altair Astro's Wave Series 102, a very nice refractor for visual (I haven't tried photography yet but I hear it's also excellent for that).

[raf2020]

23 hours ago, jonathan said:

The 80ED was the scope I looked at for getting into astrophotography, a good choice!  In the end I decided to go for a more visual route so bought Altair Astro's Wave Series 102, a very nice refractor for visual (I haven't tried photography yet but I hear it's also excellent for that).

It looks cool as this is full triple glasses APO, but it is definitely too expensive for me, especially on start. Good luck with it