Help me spend my money!

[The Lazy Astronomer]

Hi all,

So, I'm in the market for a refracter for astrophotography (might look through it a handful of times, but l would say >95% photography use). Main use would be medium to large sized DSOs.

I'm currently torn between spending more on a higher spec model, specifically the Esprit 100, or keeping costs much more reasonable and going for the Evostar 80. Both have similar fields of view and similar focal lengths, but if I were to go for the Evostar, I could probably also convince myself l could afford a 6" RC for small objects and galaxies as well... 😁

Would be interested to hear opinions of owners, and if there are any owners of both, how do they compare to each other in your experiences? 

Also open to any other suggestions anyone may have. 

Thanks. 

[Spacecake2]

I don’t have much experience, but iv’e heard that the William optics zenith star 73 is very good and very high quality at a good price. You might want to think about getting one of them: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-73-ii-apo-2019.html

[PeterCPC]

I have both. I acquired the Esprit not long ago.

ED80 - much lighter, you'll need to improve the camera fixing (I use a clicklock), you may need to adjust the focuser

Esprit 100 - fantastic glass, quicker capture, great focuser and camera mount

 

[Neil27]

Have you considered one of these - 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sharpstar-telescopes/sharpstar-94edph-f5-5-triplet-ed-apo-telescope.html

Similar to the Esprit, around £450 cheaper, may leave some pennies over for a nice secondhand C8?

Good luck hunting, always love spending someone else’s money 😉

[Robindonne]

Rasa 

[The Lazy Astronomer]

5 hours ago, PeterCPC said:

I have both. I acquired the Esprit not long ago.

ED80 - much lighter, you'll need to improve the camera fixing (I use a clicklock), you may need to adjust the focuser

Esprit 100 - fantastic glass, quicker capture, great focuser and camera mount

 

Sounds to me like you'd put the Esprit head and shoulders above the ed80 then? 

[The Lazy Astronomer]

5 hours ago, Neil27 said:

Have you considered one of these - 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sharpstar-telescopes/sharpstar-94edph-f5-5-triplet-ed-apo-telescope.html

Similar to the Esprit, around £450 cheaper, may leave some pennies over for a nice secondhand C8?

Good luck hunting, always love spending someone else’s money 😉

I thought about that, but was a little apprehensive as it's more of an unknown quantity, so to speak, compared to the Esprit and ed80 which are well established.

Any Sharpstar owners around who can comment?

[PeterCPC]

5 minutes ago, The Lazy Astronomer said:

Sounds to me like you'd put the Esprit head and shoulders above the ed80 then? 

Yes I would but the ED80 is no slouch.

[Carl Au]

That's a dangerous request, it cost me 1200 quid the last time I did that. The blokes on here have expensive tastes...

[newbie alert]

Esprit, no question... don't get me wrong the 80ed punches above it's price tag but I was really shocked when I got mine.. superb scope.. would I buy another? Yes I undoubtedly would..

With regards to the RC,yes they're £400 brand new but have you put aside enough for all the collimation tools,  probably another focuser.... ?

[The Lazy Astronomer]

2 hours ago, Carl Au said:

That's a dangerous request, it cost me 1200 quid the last time I did that. The blokes on here have expensive tastes...

Judging by the recommendations so far, l think you might be right! 😀

[Carl Au]

2 minutes ago, The Lazy Astronomer said:

Judging by the recommendations so far, l think you might be right! 😀

I rest my case your honour...

[Carl Au]

In fairness astronomy is only slightly cheaper than running a Formula 1 racing team...

[John]

I have some astro catalogues that date back to the late 1980's and it is interesting to look at what was available then and the prices. Astro equipment is generally a lot less expensive than it used to be and the choice far, far wider

 

[Skipper Billy]

1 hour ago, newbie alert said:

With regards to the RC,yes they're £400 brand new but have you put aside enough for all the collimation tools,  probably another focuser.... ?

Collimation tools, probably another focuser and a hair transplant for when you have ripped your own out and a private prescription for maximum dose of Valium 😉 

[The Lazy Astronomer]

6 minutes ago, Skipper Billy said:

Collimation tools, probably another focuser and a hair transplant for when you have ripped your own out and a private prescription for maximum dose of Valium 😉 

Hmm. Maybe I'll give the RC a miss for now then!

[Skipper Billy]

2 hours ago, The Lazy Astronomer said:

Hmm. Maybe I'll give the RC a miss for now then!

I would !! 😉 

[tooth_dr]

14 hours ago, Neil27 said:

Have you considered one of these - 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sharpstar-telescopes/sharpstar-94edph-f5-5-triplet-ed-apo-telescope.html

Similar to the Esprit, around £450 cheaper, may leave some pennies over for a nice secondhand C8?

I'd say the jury is out on this one at the minute.  

[The Lazy Astronomer]

2 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

I'd say the jury is out on this one at the minute.  

I'm guessing based on the content of your other thread that you are not entirely satisfied with your Sharpstar? 

[Carl Au]

12 hours ago, John said:

I have some astro catalogues that date back to the late 1980's and it is interesting to look at what was available then and the prices. Astro equipment is generally a lot less expensive than it used to be and the choice far, far wider

 

Very true. No doubt about the Chinese have (ironically) democratized astronomy.