Imaging scope

[Marcus daniel]

I have been looking into buying the skywatcher 200pds pro, but as we all know availability is a nightmare as these have become very popular. I have also been looking into the Altair 8" Newtonian on an EQ5 mount. Does anybody know anything about these scopes??

[Capricorn]

No idea about the scopes but the title is Imaging scope. If you intend to image then you will need a bigger mount then an EQ5 for an 8" newtonian.

Suspect that the HEQ5 could be too small for that size a scope for imaging purposes.

Have you looked at an imaging setup?

[Whippy]

I wouldn't recommend using an 8" newtonian on a EQ5 mount for imaging. The general rule of thumb for a mount for imaging is to halve the rated payload. Another thing to take into account is that refractors

The mount is the most important thing in regard to imaging, there's no point in having a fantastic scope and camera if your mount isn't up to the job. IMO, you'd be better off looking at a HEQ5 or EQ6, they're much sturdier and the syntrek/synscan versions have the ability to autoguide without any modifications.

If you're just starting out in imaging, then I'd look at something like the HEQ5 and an ED80. Refractors are much easier to use than reflectors and the shorter focal length of the ED80 would be much more forgiving.

Tony..